Benznidazole

Generic name: Benznidazole
Drug class: Miscellaneous antibiotics

Usage of Benznidazole

Benznidazole is an antibiotic that is used to treat Chagas disease in children ages 2 through 12 years.

Chagas disease (also called American trypanosomiasis) is an infection caused by a parasite common to the areas of South America, Central America and Mexico.

Benznidazole was approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on an "accelerated" basis. In clinical studies, some people responded to benznidazole, but further studies are needed.

Benznidazole side effects

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction to benznidazole (hives, difficult breathing, swelling in your face or throat) or a severe skin reaction (fever, sore throat, burning eyes, skin pain, red or purple skin rash with blistering and peeling).

Seek medical treatment if you have a serious drug reaction that can affect many parts of your body. Symptoms may include: skin rash, fever, swollen glands, muscle aches, severe weakness, unusual bruising, or yellowing of your skin or eyes.

Stop using benznidazole and call your doctor at once if you have:

numbness, tingling, or burning pain in your hands or feet (may continue for several months); or

low blood cell counts - fever, chills, tiredness, mouth sores, skin sores, easy bruising, unusual bleeding, pale skin, cold hands and feet, feeling light-headed or short of breath.

Common benznidazole side effects may include:

low white blood cell counts;

rash or itching;

stomach pain, nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite;

headache; or

weight loss.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Before taking Benznidazole

You should not use benznidazole if you are allergic to it, or if:

you are allergic to similar antibiotics such as metronidazole, secnidazole, or tinidazole; or

you have taken disulfiram (Antabuse) within the past 2 weeks.

You may need to have a negative pregnancy test before starting this treatment.

Benznidazole may harm an unborn baby. Use effective birth control to prevent pregnancy, and tell your doctor if you become pregnant.

Benznidazole may affect fertility (ability to have children) in men. It is not known whether this effect would be permanent.

You should not breastfeed while using benznidazole.

Benznidazole should not be given to a child younger than 2 years old.

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How to use Benznidazole

Usual Adult Dose for Trypanosomiasis:

US CDC Recommendations: 5 to 7 mg/kg/day orally in 2 divided doses for 60 days Comments: -Up to 50 years with chronic Trypanosoma cruzi infection without advanced Chagas cardiomyopathy: Treatment is strongly recommended. -Older than 50 years with chronic T cruzi infection: Decision to treat with antiparasitic drugs should be individualized, weighing benefits/risks for each patient; factors such as patient age, clinical status, preference, and overall health should be considered. -Current guidelines should be consulted for additional information.

Usual Pediatric Dose for Trypanosomiasis:

2 to 12 years: 5 to 8 mg/kg/day orally in 2 divided doses As calculated for tablets: Less than 15 kg: 50 mg orally twice a day 15 to less than 20 kg: 62.5 mg orally twice a day 20 to less than 30 kg: 75 mg orally twice a day 30 to less than 40 kg: 100 mg orally twice a day 40 to less than 60 kg: 150 mg orally twice a day 60 kg or more: 200 mg orally twice a day Duration of therapy: 60 days Comments: -Doses should be separated by about 12 hours. Use: For the treatment of Chagas disease (American trypanosomiasis) due to T cruzi -Approved under accelerated approval based on number of treated patients who became immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibody negative against recombinant antigens of T cruzi; continued approval may Depend on verification and description of clinical benefit in cOnfirmatory trials. US CDC Recommendations: Less than 12 years: 5 to 7.5 mg/kg/day orally in 2 divided doses 12 years or older: 5 to 7 mg/kg/day orally in 2 divided doses Duration of therapy: 60 days Comments: -Antiparasitic therapy is recommended for all cases of acute/reactivated Chagas disease and for chronic T cruzi infection in children up to 18 years; congenital infections are considered acute disease. -Current guidelines should be consulted for additional information.

Warnings

Follow all directions on your medicine label and package. Tell each of your healthcare providers about all your medical conditions, allergies, and all medicines you use.

What other drugs will affect Benznidazole

Other drugs may affect benznidazole, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Tell your doctor about all your current medicines and any medicine you start or stop using.

Popular FAQ

is a nitroimidazole antimicrobial drug indicated for the treatment of Chagas disease (American trypanosomiasis) in children ages 2 to 12 years. Chagas disease is also referred to as the "kissing bug" disease. The infection is caused by a parasite called Trypanosoma cruzi, which is transmitted by infected triatomine bugs. Continue reading

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