Drug Groups

approved

Description

A polyanionic compound with an unknown mechanism of action. It is used parenterally in the treatment of African trypanosomiasis and it has been used clinically with diethylcarbamazine to kill the adult Onchocerca. (From AMA Drug Evaluations Annual, 1992, p1643) It has also been shown to have potent antineoplastic properties. Suramin is manufactured by Bayer in Germany as Germanin?.

Indication

For treatment of human sleeping sickness, onchocerciasis and other diseases caused by trypanosomes and worms.

Affected Organisms

Biotransformation

Little or no metabolism

Absorption

Poorly absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract.

Half Life

Approximately 36 to 60 days

Protein Binding

Approximately 99.7%

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