Impavido

Generic name: Miltefosine
Drug class: Anthelmintics

Usage of Impavido

Impavido is an anti-parasitic drug used to treat leishmaniasis, a disease caused by an infection with parasites that enter the body through the bite of an infected sand fly.

Impavido is used to treat leishmaniasis affecting the skin, internal organs (such as the liver, spleen or bone marrow), and mucous membranes (nose, mouth, and throat).

Impavido may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

Impavido side effects

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction to Impavido: hives; difficult breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Call your doctor at once if you have:

severe or ongoing stomach problems (nausea, vomiting, diarrhea);

(in men) pain in the scrotum or testicles, abnormal ejaculation;

easy bruising or bleeding (nosebleeds, bleeding gums);

signs of a kidney problem--little or no urinating; painful or difficult urination; swelling in your feet or ankles; feeling tired or short of breath;

liver problems--nausea, upper stomach pain, tired feeling, loss of appetite, dark urine, clay-colored stools, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes); or

severe skin reaction--fever, sore throat, swelling in your face or tongue, burning in your eyes, skin pain, followed by a red or purple skin rash that spreads (especially in the face or upper body) and causes blistering and peeling.

Common Impavido side effects may include:

nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, loss of appetite;

diarrhea;

headache, dizziness, drowsiness; or

itching.

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 Impavido

You should not use Impavido if you are allergic to miltefosine, or if you have:

a rare genetic skin and nerve disorder called Sjogren-Larsson syndrome; or

if you are pregnant.

To make sure Impavido is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have:

liver or kidney disease.

In animal studies, miltefosine caused birth defects and death of unborn offspring, and also affected fertility in male and female adults. It is not known whether these effects would occur in people using Impavido. Ask your doctor about your risk.

FDA pregnancy category D. You should not use Impavido if you are pregnant. You may need to have a negative pregnancy test before starting this treatment. Use effective birth control while you are taking Impavido and for at least 5 months after your treatment ends.

Vomiting or diarrhea caused by Impavido can make birth control pills less effective. Ask your doctor about using non hormonal birth control (condom, diaphragm with spermicide) to prevent pregnancy if you have vomiting and/or diarrhea while taking this medicine.

If you become pregnant, your name may be listed on a pregnancy registry. This is to track the outcome of the pregnancy and to evaluate any effects of miltefosine on the baby.

It is not known whether miltefosine passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. You should not breast-feed while using this medicine, and for at least 5 months after your treatment ends.

Impavido should not be given to a child younger than 12 years old.

Relate drugs

How to use Impavido

Usual Adult Dose for Leishmaniasis:

-30 kg to 44 kg: 50 mg orally twice a day with food -45 kg or greater: 50 mg orally three times a day with food -Duration of therapy: 28 consecutive days

Warnings

In animal studies, Impavido has caused birth defects and death of unborn offspring. It is not known whether these effects would occur in people. You should not use miltefosine you are pregnant.

You may need to have a negative pregnancy test before starting this treatment. Use effective birth control while you are taking Impavido and for at least 5 months after your treatment ends.

What other drugs will affect Impavido

Other drugs may interact with miltefosine, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Tell each of your health care providers about all medicines you use now and any medicine you start or stop using.

Disclaimer

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