Benznidazole Brand Name– Benznidazole
What is Benznidazole
Benznidazole is an antiprotozoal used for the treatment of Chagas disease or American trypanosomiasis, a parasitic infection caused by Trypanosoma cruzi. Benznidazole is the first treatment for Chagas disease approved in the US.
It was granted approval from the FDA based on the number of treated pediatric patients (6 to 12 years) who became Immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibody negative (55% to 60% vs. 5% to 15% for placebo) against the recombinant antigens of T. cruzi. Benznidazole is only FDA-approved for pediatric patients 2 to 12 years, although it is used off-label in patients ranging in age from infants to adults, and is recommended by the CDC as a treatment choice.
Indications
- American trypanosomiasis (Chagas disease)
- Trypanosoma cruzi
Side Effects
- abdominal pain
- acute generalized exanthematous pustulosis (AGEP)
- agranulocytosis
- amnesia
- anemia
- anorexia
- arthralgia
- asthenia
- blepharedema
- confusion
- diarrhea
- dizziness
- Drug Reaction with Eosinophilia and Systemic Symptoms (DRESS)
- edema
- elevated hepatic enzymes
- eosinophilia
- exfoliative dermatitis
- fatigue
- fever
- headache
- hepatitis
- hypoesthesia
- insomnia
- leukopenia
- lymphadenopathy
- maculopapular rash
- musculoskeletal pain
- myalgia
- nausea
- neutropenia
- paresthesias
- peripheral edema
- peripheral neuropathy
- pruritus
- rash
- thrombocytopenia
- toxic epidermal necrolysis
- tremor
- urticaria
- vomiting
- weight loss
- xerostomia
Monitoring Parameters
- CBC with differential
- pregnancy testing
Contraindications
- bone marrow suppression
- breast-feeding
- contraception requirements
- ethanol ingestion
- hematological disease
- infertility
- neoplastic disease
- pregnancy
- pregnancy testing
- reproductive risk
- serious rash
Interactions
- Disulfiram
- Ethanol
Disulfiram: (Severe) Coadministration of benznidazole with disulfiram or in patients who have taken disulfiram within the last 2 weeks is contraindicated. Although not reported with benznidazole, psychotic reactions have been reported in patients concurrently taking disulfiram and other nitroimidazole agents, of which benznidazole is structurally similar to.
Ethanol: (Severe) Consumption of alcohol or products containing propylene glycol during and for at least 3 days after therapy with benznidazole is contraindicated. Although not reported with benznidazole, disulfiram-like reactions (i.e., abdominal cramps, nausea, vomiting, headaches, and flushing) have been reported in patients concurrently taking alcohol and other nitroimidazole agents, of which benznidazole is structurally similar to.
