Melarsoprol

Melarsoprol is an <a href="/facts/Arsenic/k1c4f44D">arsenic</a>-containing medication used for the treatment of <a href="/facts/African_trypanosomiasis/zuvUoRKC">sleeping sickness</a> (African trypanosomiasis). It is specifically used for second-stage disease caused by <a href="/facts/Trypanosoma_brucei_rhodesiense/nNTY1A0A">Trypanosoma brucei rhodesiense</a> when the <a href="/facts/Central_nervous_system/k8I6To97">central nervous system</a> is involved. For <a href="/facts/Trypanosoma_brucei_gambiense/nNTY1A0A">Trypanosoma brucei gambiense</a>, <a href="/facts/Eflornithine/wK3NEv5w">eflornithine</a> or <a href="/facts/Fexinidazole/Je4r2MJK">fexinidazole</a> is usually preferred. It is effective in about 95% of people. It is given by <a href="/facts/Intravenous/AwwuD3Nu">injection</a> and is known by patients as "fire in the veins" .
Melarsoprol has a high number of side effects. Common side effects include <a href="/facts/Encephalopathy/mbArdl2s">brain dysfunction</a>, numbness, rashes, and kidney and liver problems. About 1–5% of people die during treatment, although this is tolerated due to sleeping sickness itself having a practically 100% mortality rate when untreated. In those with <a href="/facts/Glucose-6-phosphate_dehydrogenase_deficiency/Pwv2KBB4">glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency</a>, <a href="/facts/Hemolysis/1WpVYHkP">red blood cell breakdown</a> may occur. It has not been studied in <a href="/facts/Pregnancy/vEKYGpep">pregnancy</a>. It works by blocking <a href="/facts/Pyruvate_kinase/Str5huU6">pyruvate kinase</a>, an enzyme required for aerobic metabolism by the parasite.
Melarsoprol has been used medically since 1949. It is on the <a href="/facts/WHO_Model_List_of_Essential_Medicines/6kmu81Xm">World Health Organization's List of Essential Medicines</a>. In regions of the world where the disease is common, melarsoprol is provided for free by the <a href="/facts/World_Health_Organization/YNN3bgug">World Health Organization</a>. It is not commercially available in Canada or the United States. In the United States, it may be obtained from the <a href="/facts/Centers_for_Disease_Control_and_Prevention/NmoJNDV5">Centers for Disease Control and Prevention</a>, while in Canada it is available from <a href="/facts/Health_Canada/BV8TuL14">Health Canada</a>.

Melarsoprol open-in-new

Melarsoprol