Melarsoprol

Melarsoprol is an investigational drug not currently available in the U.S. used to treat African trypanosomiasis (sleeping sickness).

Melarsoprol is available under the following different brand names: Arsobal.

Dosages of Melarsoprol:

• Investigational drug
• Not commercially available in the US; however, available as treatment Investigational New Drug (IND) from Centers for Disease Control (CDC); 800-CDC-INFO (800-232-4636)

Dosage Considerations – Should be Given as Follows:

African Trypanosomiasis (Sleeping Sickness)

• Not commercially available in the U.S.; however, available as treatment IND from CDC; 800-CDC-INFO (800-232-4636)

Adult

• 2-3.6 mg/kg/day intravenously (IV) for 3 days
• After 1 week: 3.6 mg/kg/day IV for 3 days
• Repeat again after 10-21 days: 3.6 mg/kg/day

Pediatric

• 18-25 mg/kg total over 1 month
• Initial 0.36 mg/kg IV
• Increase gradually to 3.6 mg/kg IV at intervals of 1-5 days for a total of 9-10 doses

Side Effects of Melarsoprol include:

• High blood pressure (hypertension)
• Heart damage
• Encephalopathy
• Numbness and tingling of extremities
• Colic
• Vomiting
• Albuminuria
• Herxheimer-type reaction

If your doctor has directed you to use this medication, your doctor or pharmacist may already be aware of any possible drug interactions and may be monitoring you for them. Do not start, stop, or change the dosage of any medicine before checking with your doctor, health care provider, or pharmacist first.

• Melarsoprol has no listed severe interactions with other drugs.
• Melarsoprol has no listed serious interactions with other drugs.
• Melarsoprol has no listed moderate interactions with other drugs.
• Melarsoprol has no listed mild interactions with other drugs.

This document does not contain all possible interactions. Therefore, before using this product, tell your doctor or pharmacist of all the products you use. Keep a list of all your medications with you, and share the list with your doctor and pharmacist. Check with your physician if you have health questions or concerns.

Warnings

• This medication contains melarsoprol. Do not take Arsobal if you are allergic to melarsoprol or any ingredients contained in this drug.
• Keep out of reach of children. In case of overdose, get medical help or contact a Poison Control Center immediately.

Contraindications

• Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency, hypersensitivity

Effects of Drug Abuse

• No information available

Short-Term Effects

• See "What Are Side Effects Associated with Using Melarsoprol?"

Long-Term Effects

• See "What Are Side Effects Associated with Using Melarsoprol?"

Cautions

• No information available

Pregnancy and Lactation

• No studies have been conducted regarding the use of melarsoprol during pregnancy. Consult your doctor.
• It is not known if melarsoprol is excreted in breast milk. Consult your doctor before breastfeeding.