Dosing and uses of Lampit (nifurtimox)
Adult dosage forms and strengths
tablet
- 30mg
- 120mg
American Trypanosomiasis (Orphan)
Investigational in the United States
Orphan designation for American trypanosomiasis (Chagas Disease)
8-10 mg/kg/day PO divided q6-8hr for 90-120 days
Pediatric dosage forms and strengths
tablet
- 30mg
- 120mg
American Trypanosomiasis (Orphan)
Investigational in the United States
Orphan designation for American trypanosomiasis (Chagas Disease)
1-10 years: 15-20 mg/kg/day PO divided q8hr
11-16 years: 12.5-15 mg/kg/day PO divided q8hr x90 days
Lampit (nifurtimox) adverse (side) effects
>10%
Anorexia (50-60% can limit completion of therapy)
Frequency not defined
Ataxia
Convulsions
Depression
Fatigue
Headache
Memory impairment
Paresthesia
Sleep disorder
Tremor
Polyneuritis
Weakness
Pruritic dermatitis
Rash
Gastralgia
Vomiting
Myalgia
Pulmonary infiltrates
Pleural effusion (rare)
Warnings
Contraindications
Active or history of peripheral neuropathy
Active or history of seizures & cerebral impairment, such as behavioral disorders, epilepsy, or psychoses
Hepatic impairment
Renal impairment
Pregnancy and lactation
Pregnancy category: no human studies conducted
Lactation: not known if excreted in breast milk
Pregnancy categories
A: Generally acceptable. Controlled studies in pregnant women show no evidence of fetal risk.
B: May be acceptable. Either animal studies show no risk but human studies not available or animal studies showed minor risks and human studies done and showed no risk.
C: Use with caution if benefits outweigh risks. Animal studies show risk and human studies not available or neither animal nor human studies done.
D: Use in LIFE-THREATENING emergencies when no safer drug available. Positive evidence of human fetal risk.
X: Do not use in pregnancy. Risks involved outweigh potential benefits. Safer alternatives exist.
NA: Information not available.
Pharmacology of Lampit (nifurtimox)
Mechanism of action
Reacts with the nucleic acids of the parasite
Inhibits trypanothione reductase, a parasite-specific antioxidant defense enzyme
Pharmacokinetics
Absorption: rapid, from GI tract
Vd: 755.3 +/- 283.8 L
Metabolism: Liver, undergoes nitroreduction involving cytochrome P-450 and P-450 reductase
Half-Life: 2.95 +/- 1.19 hr
Peak Plasma Time: 2 hr
Excreted: Urine
