Lampit (nifurtimox)
Antiprotozoal Agents Oral Tablet
Last reviewed · Source: First Databank (FDB) drug data
Overview
Nifurtimox is a nitrofuran antiprotozoal agent with antitrypanosomal activity.
Nifurtimox is a nitrofuran antiprotozoal agent that is active against T. cruzi. While the exact mechanism of action is not clearly understood, the drug is metabolized/activated by Type I (oxygen insensitive) and Type II (oxygen sensitive) nitroreductases, resulting in DNA damage and cell death of both intracellular and extracellular forms of T. cruzi due to the production of toxic intermediate metabolites and/or reactive oxygen species.
Nifurtimox is active against all 3 stages of T. cruzi, which include tryptomastigotes, the flagellated stage of trypanosomes that is found in the blood of infected persons; amastigotes, a non-flagellated, intracellular replicative form of trypanosomes; and epimastigotes, a form of trypanosomes that multiplies and differentiates in the midgut. T. cruzi sensitivity varies based on geographic region. The mechanism of resistance to antitrypanosomal therapy is multifactorial.
There is evidence of multi-drug resistance to benznidazole with a demonstrated risk for cross-resistance to nifurtimox.
Administration of nifurtimox with a high-fat meal containing 800-1000 calories increases the peak plasma concentration of the drug by 68%, AUC by 71%, and time to peak plasma concentration by 1 hour compared to the fasted state. The median time to reach peak plasma concentration of nifurtimox under fed conditions was 4 hours (range: 2 to 8 hours). Nifurtimox crosses both the blood brain barrier and the placental barrier.
Nifurtimox is 42% bound to plasma proteins. Nifurtimox is primarily metabolized via nitroreductases into two major pharmacologically inactive metabolites, M-4 and M-6, and several minor metabolites; the half-life of M-4 is approximately 28 hours and the half-life of M-6 is about 10 hours. The mean coefficient of variation of the elimination half-life ranged from 2.4-3.6 hours (12-37%).
Approximately 44% and 27% of a nifurtimox dose is recovered in the urine as metabolites under fed and fasted conditions, respectively. There is no information about the elimination of nifurtimox via the biliary or fecal routes. While the effect of renal and/or hepatic impairment on the pharmacokinetics of nifurtimox is unknown, plasma concentrations of the drug are elevated in patients with end-stage renal disease.
USES: Nifurtimox is used to treat a certain parasitic infection (Chagas disease). It works by stopping the growth of a certain parasite.
Generic name: nifurtimox
Pronunciation: (ney-FURE-ti-mox)
Drug class: Antiprotozoal Agents
Therapeutic class: Anti-Infective Agents
Reference product & biosimilars
No reference, biosimilar or interchangeable associated with this drug.
Today’s intelligence on Lampit
Indications
The following indications are listed for Lampit:
- Chagas Disease
Also known as: American Trypanosomiasis, Chagas-Mazza Disease, Infection Caused By Trypanosoma Cruzi, South American Trypanosomiasis.
Dosing
No dosing information is available for this tab.
No dosing information is available for this tab.
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No dosing information is available for this tab.
Drug interactions
The potential for drug interactions with nifurtimox has not been studied.
Cytochrome P-450 (CYP) isoenzymes do not appear to play a major role in the metabolism of nifurtimox. In vitro studies indicate that nifurtimox is not a substrate of CYP isoenzymes. Neither nifurtimox nor its metabolites (M-4 or M-6) inhibit or induce CYP isoenzymes.
Nifurtimox is not a substrate of P-glycoprotein (P-gp) or breast cancer resistance protein (BCRP). Neither nifurtimox nor its major metabolites (M-4 or M-6z) are inhibitors of P-gp, BCRP, organic anion transporting polypeptide (OATP), multidrug and toxin extrusion (MATE) proteins (MATE1/MATE2-K), organic anion transporter 1/3 (OAT1/OAT3), or organic cation transporter 2 (OCT2).
Contraindicated Drug Combination: This drug combination is contraindicated and generally should not be dispensed or administered to the same patient.
Nifurtimox/Ethyl Alcohol
SEVERITY LEVEL: 1-Contraindicated Drug Combination: This drug combination is contraindicated and generally should not be dispensed or administered to the same patient.
MECHANISM OF ACTION: Nifurtimox may increase the risk of the disulfiram-like reaction. In vitro studies of similar agents including other nitrofurans and nitroheterocyclic compounds demonstrated inhibition of aldehyde dehydrogenase and other alcohol-oxidizing enzymes.(1) This results in the accumulation of acetaldehyde, which is responsible for the disulfiram-like reaction.
CLINICAL EFFECTS: Concurrent use of nifurtimox with alcohol may contribute to a disulfiram-type reaction resulting in symptoms of hypotension, tachycardia, nausea, sweating, facial flushing, headache, and vomiting.(1)
PREDISPOSING FACTORS: None determined.
PATIENT MANAGEMENT: Patients should be advised that concurrent use of nifurtimox and alcohol is contraindicated. Caution patients of the possible effects that may result from ingestion or application of products that contain alcohol while taking nifurtimox.(1) Patients should be informed about unsuspected sources of alcohol such as elixirs and topical preparations. Caution is also warranted when using intravenous preparations containing alcohol solvents in patients receiving nifurtimox. Alcohol is used to improve docetaxel and paclitaxel solubility. - The quantity of alcohol in paclitaxel injection formulations (0.385-0.396 grams/mL) is similar across manufacturers. A paclitaxel 200 mg dose contains approximately 13 grams of alcohol. - The quantity of alcohol in docetaxel formulations varies approximately 3-fold depending upon the manufacturer. FDA data on alcohol content (2): Product Manufacturer Alcohol/200 mg dose Docetaxel Inj. Pfizer 6.4 grams Docetaxel Inj. Sandoz 5.5 grams Docetaxel Inj. Accord 4.0 grams Taxotere-one vial Sanofi 4.0 grams formulation Docetaxel Inj. Hospira 3.7 grams Docefrez Sun Pharma 2.9 grams Taxotere-two vial Sanofi 2.0 grams formulation
DISCUSSION: Clinical studies have not been conducted. Concomitant use of nifurtimox with alcohol may increase the incidence and severity of undesirable effects similar to other nitrofurans and nitroheterocyclic compounds.(1)
There are no severe interactions for this drug.
There are no moderate interactions for this drug.
Contraindications
*Known hypersensitivity to nifurtimox or to any of its excipients.
*Patients who consume alcohol during treatment.
There are no contraindication contraindications for this drug.
- Depression
- Pregnancy
- Seizure disorder
- Weight loss
- Porphyria
Adverse reactions
The most common (>=5%) adverse effects of nifurtimox in clinical studies were vomiting, abdominal pain, headache, decreased appetite, nausea, fever, and rash.
Less Frequent
- Anemia
Rare or Very Rare
- Anaphylaxis
- Angioedema
- DRESS syndrome
- Drug-induced psychosis
- Dyspnea
- Hypotension
- Leukopenia
- Neutropenic disorder
- Porphyria
- Seizure disorder
- Thrombocytopenic disorder
More Frequent
- Acute abdominal pain
- Anorexia
- Fever
- Headache disorder
- Nausea
- Skin rash
- Vomiting
Less Frequent
- Eosinophilia
- Urticaria
- Weight loss
Rare or Very Rare
- Agitation
- Arthralgia
- Drowsy
- Fatigue
- General weakness
- Indifference
- Irritability
- Memory impairment
- Muscle weakness
- Myalgia
- Paresthesia
- Polyneuropathy
- Pruritus of skin
- Sleep disorder
- Symptoms of anxiety
- Syncope
- Tremor
- Vertigo
Precautions
No enhanced messaging available.
Safety and effectiveness of nifurtimox have been established for pediatric patients from birth to less than 18 years of age who weigh at least 2.5 kg. Safety and efficacy have not been established in pediatric patients who weigh less than 2.5 kg.
Based on animal data, nifurtimox may cause fetal harm when administered during pregnancy. (See Fetal/Neonatal Morbidity and Mortality under Cautions.)
Available human data do not establish the presence or absence of major birth defects or miscarriage related to the use of nifurtimox.
Nifurtimox crosses the placental barrier.
Verify pregnancy status in females of reproductive potential prior to the initiation of nifurtimox. (See Females and Males of Reproductive Potential under Cautions.)
Data based on case-control and observational studies are conflicting regarding the risk of chronic Chagas disease during pregnancy with some but not all, showing an increased risk of pregnancy loss, prematurity, and neonatal mortality. While acute symptomatic Chagas disease is uncommon in pregnant women, a risk versus benefit assessment for both mother and fetus prior to administering nifurtimox should be conducted on a case-by-case basis.
If nifurtimox is administered during pregnancy, or if a patient becomes pregnant while receiving nifurtimox or within 6 months following the last dose, report exposure by calling 1-888-842-2937.
Nifurtimox is present in human breastmilk with the amount observed in infants estimated to be <15% of the recommended dose for pediatric patients with Chagas disease. Based on a small number of infants who were breastfed by mothers receiving nifurtimox, no adverse events have been reported with therapy. The effects of nifurtimox on the production of milk are unknown. Monitor infants exposed to nifurtimox through breast milk for vomiting, rash, decreased appetite, fever, and irritability. Consider the developmental and health benefits of breastfeeding along with the mother's clinical need for nifurtimox and any potential adverse effects on the breastfed infant from the drug or underlying maternal condition.
There are no specific dosage recommendations for geriatric patients. Nifurtimox is only approved for pediatric patients.
Safety and efficacy of nifurtimox have not been established in patients 65 years of age or older. Nifurtimox is only approved for pediatric patients (newborn to less than 18 years of age).
ICD codes
| Code | Type | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Chagas disease | ||
| B57 | ICD10CM | Chagas' disease |
| B57.0 | ICD10CM | Acute chagas' disease with heart involvement |
| B57.1 | ICD10CM | Acute chagas' disease without heart involvement |
| B57.2 | ICD10CM | Chagas' disease (chronic) with heart involvement |
| B57.3 | ICD10CM | Chagas' disease (chronic) with digestive system involvement |
| B57.30 | ICD10CM | Chagas' disease with digestive system involvement, unspecified |
| B57.31 | ICD10CM | Megaesophagus in chagas' disease |
| B57.32 | ICD10CM | Megacolon in chagas' disease |
| B57.39 | ICD10CM | Other digestive system involvement in chagas' disease |
| B57.4 | ICD10CM | Chagas' disease (chronic) with nervous system involvement |
| B57.40 | ICD10CM | Chagas' disease with nervous system involvement, unspecified |
| B57.41 | ICD10CM | Meningitis in chagas' disease |
| B57.42 | ICD10CM | Meningoencephalitis in chagas' disease |
| B57.49 | ICD10CM | Other nervous system involvement in chagas' disease |
| B57.5 | ICD10CM | Chagas' disease (chronic) with other organ involvement |
ICD code information from First Databank (FDB).
Formulary status
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Last reviewed · Source: First Databank (FDB) drug data
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