Suramin (injection)

Suramin (injection)

Suramin (injection)

Uses for Suramin

Suramin is used to treat African sleeping sickness (African trypanosomiasis) and river blindness (onchocerciasis), which are infections caused by parasites. This medicine causes the parasites to lose energy, leading to their death.

Suramin will only be given in hospital by your doctor or under his or her immediate supervision.

Before using Suramin

When deciding whether to use a medicine, the risks of taking the medicine must be weighed against the benefits it produces. This is a decision that you and your doctor will make. The following should be noted with this medicine:

Allergies

Tell your doctor if you have ever had an unusual or allergic reaction to this medicine or any other medicines. Also tell your doctor if you have other allergies, such as to foods, dyes, preservatives or animals. For over-the-counter products, read the label or package ingredients carefully.

Pediatrics

Suramin can cause serious side effects in any patient. It is therefore particularly important that you discuss with your child's doctor what positive effects this medicine may have and what risks it poses.

geriatrics

Older people are particularly sensitive to the effects of suramin. This may increase the risk of side effects during treatment.

Breastfeeding

There are insufficient studies in women to determine the risk to infants when using this drug while breast-feeding. Weigh the potential benefits against the potential risks before taking this medication while breastfeeding.

Drug interactions

Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines can be used together, although interactions may occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose or other precautions may be necessary. Tell your doctor if you are taking other prescription or nonprescription (over-the-counter [OTC]) medicine.

Interactions with food/tobacco/alcohol

Certain medicines should not be taken during or near food or consumption of certain foods because interactions may occur. Consuming alcohol or tobacco with certain medications can also lead to interactions. Discuss using your medicine with food, alcohol or tobacco with your doctor.

Other medical problems

The presence of other medical problems may affect the use of this medicine. Be sure to tell your doctor if you have any other medical problems, especially:

• Nierenerkrankung bzw
• Lebererkrankung – Bei Patienten mit Nieren- oder Lebererkrankungen besteht möglicherweise ein erhöhtes Risiko für Nebenwirkungen

Proper use of suramin

To support complete healing of your infection, you will need to receive suramin regularly throughout your treatment period. It is also necessary that you receive this medicine in hospital so that your doctor can check your condition.

dosage

The dose of this medicine is different for different patients. Follow your doctor's instructions or the label directions. The following information includes average doses of this medicine only. If your dose is different, do not change it unless your doctor tells you to.

The amount of medicine you take depends on the strength of the medicine. In addition, the number of doses you take each day, the time between doses, and how long you take the medicine depend on the medical problem for which you are using the medicine.

• Für die Injektionsdosisform:
  • Bei Afrikanischer Schlafkrankheit:
    • Erwachsene und Kinder – Die Dosis richtet sich nach dem Körpergewicht und muss von Ihrem Arzt festgelegt werden.
  • Bei Flussblindheit:
    • Erwachsene – Die Dosis richtet sich nach dem Körpergewicht und muss von Ihrem Arzt festgelegt werden.
    • Kinder – Anwendung und Dosis müssen von Ihrem Arzt festgelegt werden.

Precautions when using Suramin

It is important that your doctor check your progress at regular visits. This is intended to help the infection heal completely. Your doctor may also want to check for side effects that may occur even after your treatment has stopped.

Side effects of suramin

In addition to the necessary effects, a medicine may also have some undesirable effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, medical attention may be required if they occur.

Contact your doctor as soon as possible if any of the following side effects occur:

More common

• Trüber Urin
• Kribbeln oder Kribbeln der Haut
• Durchfall
• Ohnmacht, besonders nach ausgelassenen Mahlzeiten
• Kopfschmerzen
• erhöhte Hautfarbe
• Reizbarkeit
• Juckreiz
• Gelenkschmerzen
• Appetitverlust
• Brechreiz
• Taubheitsgefühl oder Schwäche in Armen, Händen, Beinen oder Füßen
• Hautausschlag
• stechendes Gefühl auf der Haut
• Schwellung auf der Haut
• Empfindlichkeit der Handflächen und Fußsohlen
• leicht ermüden
• Erbrechen

Less common

• Veränderungen oder Verlust des Sehvermögens
• extreme Müdigkeit oder Schwäche
• erhöhte Lichtempfindlichkeit der Augen
• schmerzhafte empfindliche Drüsen im Nacken, in den Achselhöhlen oder in der Leistengegend
• Schwellung um die Augen
• Geschwüre oder wunde Stellen im Mund
• wässrige Augen

Rarely

• Kalte und feuchte Haut
• Krämpfe
• verminderter Blutdruck
• Schwierigkeiten beim Atmen
• Fieber und Halsschmerzen
• Fieber mit oder ohne Schüttelfrost
• erhöhter Herzschlag
• Bewusstlosigkeit
• blasse Haut
• Punktgenaue rote Flecken auf der Haut
• rote, verdickte oder schuppige Haut
• Schwellung und/oder Druckempfindlichkeit im oberen Bauch- oder Magenbereich
• geschwollene und/oder schmerzende Drüsen
• ungewöhnliche Blutungen oder Blutergüsse
• ungewöhnliche Müdigkeit oder Schwäche
• gelbe Augen oder Haut

Some side effects may occur that usually do not require medical attention. These side effects may disappear during treatment as your body gets used to the medicine. Your doctor may also be able to give you ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects. If any of the following side effects persist or are bothersome, or if you have any questions, contact your doctor:

More common

• Bauchschmerzen
• Fieber
• allgemeines Unwohlsein
• metallischer Geschmack

Some patients may also experience other side effects not listed. If you notice other side effects, contact your doctor.

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

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