Chagas Disease (American Trypanosomiasis) Medication
- Author: Louis V Kirchhoff, MD, MPH; Chief Editor: Burke A Cunha, MD more...
Medication Summary
The goals of pharmacotherapy are to eradicate the infection, to reduce morbidity, and to prevent complications.
Antiprotozoal agents
Class Summary
These agents are used to treat infections caused by the protozoan T cruzi.
Nifurtimox (Lampit, Bayer 2502)
Available only from the CDC. Well absorbed by digestive tract. Trypanocidal drug that acts on circulating trypomastigotes, as well as intracellular amastigotes. The mechanism of action may depend on the formation of nitro anion radicals, but precise details are not known. Efficacy can be assessed by monitoring disappearance of T cruzi –specific antibodies, although this may take several years in some patients. Repeated hemoculture or PCR-based assay can be used to look for treatment failure.
Benznidazole (Rochagan, Radanil, Ragonil)
Available only from CDC. Well absorbed by digestive tract. Trypanocidal drug that acts on circulating trypomastigotes, as well as intracellular amastigotes. Little is known regarding mode of action. Efficacy can be assessed by monitoring disappearance of T cruzi –specific antibodies, although this may take several years in some patients. Repeated hemoculture or PCR-based assay can be used to look for treatment failure.
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