Melarsoprol is a medication used for the treatment of sleeping sickness (African trypanosomiasis).[1] It is specifically used for second-stage disease caused by Trypanosoma brucei rhodesiense when the central nervous system is involved.[1] For Trypanosoma brucei gambiense, eflornithine or fexinidazole is usually preferred.[1] It is effective in about 95% of people.[3] It is given by injection into a vein.[2]
Melarsoprol has a high number of side effects.[4] Common side effects include brain dysfunction, numbness, rashes, and kidney and liver problems.[2] About 1-5% of people die during treatment.[3] In those with glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency, red blood cell breakdown may occur.[2] It has not been studied in pregnancy.[2] It works by blocking pyruvate kinase, an enzyme required for aerobic metabolism by the parasite.[2]
Melarsoprol has been used medically since 1949.[1] It is on the World Health Organization's List of Essential Medicines, the safest and most effective medicines needed in a health system.[5] In regions of the world where the disease is common, melarsoprol is provided for free by the World Health Organization.[4] It is not commercially available in Canada or the United States.[2] In the United States, it may be obtained from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, while in Canada it is available from Health Canada.[1][2]
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Melarsoprol
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