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Drug overview for BENZNIDAZOLE (benznidazole):
Generic name: BENZNIDAZOLE (benz-NID-a-zole)
Drug class: Antiprotozoal Agents
Therapeutic class: Anti-Infective Agents
Benznidazole, a nitroimidazole derivative, is an antiprotozoal agent with antitrypanosomal activity.
No enhanced Uses information available for this drug.
Generic name: BENZNIDAZOLE (benz-NID-a-zole)
Drug class: Antiprotozoal Agents
Therapeutic class: Anti-Infective Agents
Benznidazole, a nitroimidazole derivative, is an antiprotozoal agent with antitrypanosomal activity.
No enhanced Uses information available for this drug.
DRUG IMAGES
BENZNIDAZOLE 12.5 MG TABLET
BENZNIDAZOLE 100 MG TABLET
The following indications for BENZNIDAZOLE (benznidazole) have been approved by the FDA:
Indications:
Chronic indeterminate Chagas disease
Professional Synonyms:
Asymptomatic Chagas disease
Chronic indeterminate form of Chagas disease
Chronic indeterminate infection caused by Trypanosoma cruzi
Indications:
Chronic indeterminate Chagas disease
Professional Synonyms:
Asymptomatic Chagas disease
Chronic indeterminate form of Chagas disease
Chronic indeterminate infection caused by Trypanosoma cruzi
The following dosing information is available for BENZNIDAZOLE (benznidazole):
No enhanced Dosing information available for this drug.
Benznidazole is administered orally twice daily (approximately every 12 hours) and may be administered without regard to meals. Administration with or after meals may minimize adverse GI effects. Benznidazole is commercially available as 12.5-mg
tablets (unscored) and 100-mg tablets (scored). The 100-mg tablets are functionally scored so that they can be split into halves or quarters to provide 50- or 25-mg doses, respectively. For patients unable to swallow tablets, an oral slurry of benznidazole may be prepared extemporaneously using the commercially available tablets of the drug. The dose and number of benznidazole tablets and the volume of water used to prepare the oral slurry are based on body weight (kg).
tablets (unscored) and 100-mg tablets (scored). The 100-mg tablets are functionally scored so that they can be split into halves or quarters to provide 50- or 25-mg doses, respectively. For patients unable to swallow tablets, an oral slurry of benznidazole may be prepared extemporaneously using the commercially available tablets of the drug. The dose and number of benznidazole tablets and the volume of water used to prepare the oral slurry are based on body weight (kg).
No dosing information available.
No generic dosing information available.
The following drug interaction information is available for BENZNIDAZOLE (benznidazole):
There are 1 contraindications.
These drug combinations generally should not be dispensed or administered to the same patient. A manufacturer label warning that indicates the contraindication warrants inclusion of a drug combination in this category, regardless of clinical evidence or lack of clinical evidence to support the contraindication.
| Drug Interaction | Drug Names |
|---|---|
| Selected Nitroimidazole Antimicrobials/Disulfiram 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: Since disulfiram has been associated with psychotic behavior in some patients, this interaction has been attributed to a combined toxicity with metronidazole or benznidazole.(1) CLINICAL EFFECTS: May observe psychotic reactions of confusional states. PREDISPOSING FACTORS: None determined. PATIENT MANAGEMENT: The manufacturers of benznidazole,(2) fexinidazole,(3) metronidazole,(4) and tinidazole(5) state that these agents should not be administered to patients who have received disulfiram in the previous two weeks. DISCUSSION: In a study in hospitalized alcoholics, six of 29 patients receiving concurrent disulfiram and metronidazole developed acute psychosis or confusion. Of these six, five had paranoid delusions and three experienced visual and auditory hallucinations. These reactions were not reported in any of the 29 patients who received placebo with disulfiram.(6,7) An increased central effect of ethyl alcohol was observed in a single patient during concurrent disulfiram and metronidazole.(8) Psychotic symptoms were reported during concurrent use in another case report.(9) |
DISULFIRAM |
There are 1 severe interactions.
These drug interactions can produce serious consequences in most patients. Actions required for severe interactions include, but are not limited to, discontinuing one or both agents, adjusting dosage, altering administration scheduling, and providing additional patient monitoring. Review the full interaction monograph for more information.
| Drug Interaction | Drug Names |
|---|---|
| Sodium Iodide I 131/Myelosuppressives; Immunomodulators SEVERITY LEVEL: 2-Severe Interaction: Action is required to reduce the risk of severe adverse interaction. MECHANISM OF ACTION: Sodium iodide I 131 can cause depression of the hematopoetic system. Myelosuppressives and immunomodulators also suppress the immune system.(1) CLINICAL EFFECTS: Concurrent use of sodium iodide I 131 with agents that cause bone marrow depression, including myelosuppressives or immunomodulators, may result in an enhanced risk of hematologic disorders, including anemia, blood dyscrasias, bone marrow depression, leukopenia, and thrombocytopenia. Bone marrow depression may increase the risk of serious infections and bleeding.(1) PREDISPOSING FACTORS: None determined. PATIENT MANAGEMENT: The US manufacturer of sodium iodide I 131 states that concurrent use with bone marrow depressants may enhance the depression of the hematopoetic system caused by large doses of sodium iodide I 131.(1) Sodium iodide I 131 causes a dose-dependent bone marrow suppression, including neutropenia or thrombocytopenia, in the 3 to 5 weeks following administration. Patients may be at increased risk of infections or bleeding during this time. Monitor complete blood counts within one month of therapy. If results indicate leukopenia or thrombocytopenia, dosimetry should be used to determine a safe sodium iodide I 131 activity.(1) DISCUSSION: Hematologic disorders including death have been reported with sodium iodide I 131. The most common hematologic disorders reported include anemia, blood dyscrasias, bone marrow depression, leukopenia, and thrombocytopenia.(1) |
HICON, SODIUM IODIDE I-131 |
There are 0 moderate interactions.
The following contraindication information is available for BENZNIDAZOLE (benznidazole):
Drug contraindication overview.
Benznidazole is contraindicated in patients hypersensitive to benznidazole or other nitroimidazole derivatives. (See Dermatologic and Sensitivity Reactions under Warnings/Precautions: Sensitivity Reactions, in Cautions.) Benznidazole is contraindicated in patients who are receiving disulfiram or have received disulfiram within the preceding 2 weeks. (See Drug Interactions: Disulfiram.) Consumption of alcohol or preparations containing alcohol or propylene glycol is contraindicated during benznidazole treatment and for at least 3 days after the last dose of the drug. (See Drug Interactions: Alcohol and Propylene Glycol.)
Benznidazole is contraindicated in patients hypersensitive to benznidazole or other nitroimidazole derivatives. (See Dermatologic and Sensitivity Reactions under Warnings/Precautions: Sensitivity Reactions, in Cautions.) Benznidazole is contraindicated in patients who are receiving disulfiram or have received disulfiram within the preceding 2 weeks. (See Drug Interactions: Disulfiram.) Consumption of alcohol or preparations containing alcohol or propylene glycol is contraindicated during benznidazole treatment and for at least 3 days after the last dose of the drug. (See Drug Interactions: Alcohol and Propylene Glycol.)
There are 2 contraindications.
Absolute contraindication.
| Contraindication List |
|---|
| Cockayne syndrome |
| Lactation |
There are 2 severe contraindications.
Adequate patient monitoring is recommended for safer drug use.
| Severe List |
|---|
| Peripheral neuropathy |
| Pregnancy |
There are 1 moderate contraindications.
Clinically significant contraindication, where the condition can be managed or treated before the drug may be given safely.
| Moderate List |
|---|
| Bone marrow depression |
The following adverse reaction information is available for BENZNIDAZOLE (benznidazole):
Adverse reaction overview.
The most common adverse effects reported in patients receiving benznidazole are GI effects (abdominal pain, abdominal bloating, decreased appetite, decreased weight, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, constipation), headache, rash, urticaria, pruritus, dizziness, tremor, eosinophilia, neutropenia, myalgia, arthralgia or arthritis, and elevated aminotransferase (transaminase) concentrations.
The most common adverse effects reported in patients receiving benznidazole are GI effects (abdominal pain, abdominal bloating, decreased appetite, decreased weight, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, constipation), headache, rash, urticaria, pruritus, dizziness, tremor, eosinophilia, neutropenia, myalgia, arthralgia or arthritis, and elevated aminotransferase (transaminase) concentrations.
There are 16 severe adverse reactions.
| More Frequent | Less Frequent |
|---|---|
| None. |
Abnormal hepatic function tests Eosinophilia Leukopenia Neutropenic disorder |
| Rare/Very Rare |
|---|
|
Acute generalized exanthematous pustulosis Agranulocytosis Anemia DRESS syndrome Erythema multiforme Exfoliative dermatitis Hepatitis Hyperbilirubinemia Maculopapular rash Seizure disorder Thrombocytopenic disorder Toxic epidermal necrolysis |
There are 26 less severe adverse reactions.
| More Frequent | Less Frequent |
|---|---|
|
Acute abdominal pain Anorexia Headache disorder Skin rash Vomiting Weight loss |
Arthralgia Dizziness Nausea Peripheral neuropathy Urticaria |
| Rare/Very Rare |
|---|
|
Concentration difficulty Diarrhea Eczema Edema Eyelid edema Fatigue General weakness Loss of taste Memory impairment Musculoskeletal pain Myalgia Paresthesia Pruritus of skin Tremor Xerostomia |
The following precautions are available for BENZNIDAZOLE (benznidazole):
Safety and efficacy of benznidazole have not been established in pediatric patients younger than 2 years of age or in pediatric patients older than 12 years of age. Safety and efficacy of benznidazole for the treatment of Chagas disease in pediatric patients 2-12 years of age have been established based on results of 2 adequate and well-controlled trials in pediatric patients 6-12 years of age and additional safety and pharmacokinetic data from pediatric patients 2-6 years of age.
Contraindicated
Severe Precaution
Management or Monitoring Precaution
Contraindicated
| None |
Severe Precaution
| None |
Management or Monitoring Precaution
| None |
Based on animal studies, benznidazole may cause harm to the fetus if used in pregnant women. Data from published postmarketing reports on benznidazole use during pregnancy are insufficient to inform a drug-associated risk of adverse pregnancy-related outcomes. In animal reproduction studies in rats and rabbits, oral benznidazole administered during organogenesis was associated with fetal malformations.
In rats, anasarca, anophthalmia, and/or microphthalmia occurred at benznidazole dosages approximately 1-3 times the MRHD; reduced maternal weights and smaller litter sizes occurred at a dosage approximately 3 times the MRHD. In rabbits, ventricular septal defect occurred at dosages approximately 0.3-1 times the MRHD; reduced maternal weight gain and abortions (2/20 females) occurred at a dosage approximately equal to the MRHD.
Prior to initiation of benznidazole, females of reproductive potential should receive appropriate pregnancy tests. Females of reproductive potential should be advised of the potential risk to a fetus and to use effective contraception to prevent pregnancy during benznidazole treatment and for 5 days after the last dose of the drug. The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) states that benznidazole treatment is typically delayed until after pregnancy.
The manufacturer states that benznidazole is not recommended for the treatment of chronic Chagas disease in pregnant women. If a pregnant woman presents with acute symptomatic Chagas disease, the manufacturer states that the risks and benefits of benznidazole treatment for the mother and fetus should be evaluated on a case-by-case basis.
In rats, anasarca, anophthalmia, and/or microphthalmia occurred at benznidazole dosages approximately 1-3 times the MRHD; reduced maternal weights and smaller litter sizes occurred at a dosage approximately 3 times the MRHD. In rabbits, ventricular septal defect occurred at dosages approximately 0.3-1 times the MRHD; reduced maternal weight gain and abortions (2/20 females) occurred at a dosage approximately equal to the MRHD.
Prior to initiation of benznidazole, females of reproductive potential should receive appropriate pregnancy tests. Females of reproductive potential should be advised of the potential risk to a fetus and to use effective contraception to prevent pregnancy during benznidazole treatment and for 5 days after the last dose of the drug. The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) states that benznidazole treatment is typically delayed until after pregnancy.
The manufacturer states that benznidazole is not recommended for the treatment of chronic Chagas disease in pregnant women. If a pregnant woman presents with acute symptomatic Chagas disease, the manufacturer states that the risks and benefits of benznidazole treatment for the mother and fetus should be evaluated on a case-by-case basis.
Benznidazole is distributed into human milk. Data indicate that the infant dose of benznidazole available from human milk may be 5.5-17% of the maternal weight-adjusted dosage and that the milk-to-plasma ratio of the drug ranges from 0.3-2.79.
It is not known whether benznidazole affects milk production. Because of the potential for serious adverse reactions to benznidazole in nursing infants and the possibility of transmission of Chagas disease from mother to nursing infant, patients should be advised not to breast-feed during benznidazole treatment.
It is not known whether benznidazole affects milk production. Because of the potential for serious adverse reactions to benznidazole in nursing infants and the possibility of transmission of Chagas disease from mother to nursing infant, patients should be advised not to breast-feed during benznidazole treatment.
No enhanced Geriatric Use information available for this drug.
The following prioritized warning is available for BENZNIDAZOLE (benznidazole):
No warning message for this drug.
No warning message for this drug.
The following icd codes are available for BENZNIDAZOLE (benznidazole)'s list of indications:
| Chronic indeterminate chagas disease | |
| B57.5 | Chagas' disease (chronic) with other organ involvement |
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