Infections
Medicines for Leishmaniasis
A parasitic infection spread by sandfly bites in parts of the tropics and the Mediterranean, causing skin sores or, less commonly, serious internal disease — treatable with specialist care.
Education and reference only. This explains which medicines are used and why, in plain language — it deliberately contains no doses and is not a substitute for advice from your doctor or pharmacist. Always discuss your own treatment with a qualified clinician, and check the BNF and the product labelling for prescribing detail.
Quick answer
What is Leishmaniasis?
Leishmaniasis is an infection caused by a parasite spread through the bites of infected sandflies, found in parts of the tropics, subtropics, and southern Europe (including areas around the Mediterranean). There are two main forms.
- How it is treated: Treatment depends on the form, the specific parasite and its location, and is guided by specialists (in infectious or tropical diseases).
- Self-care: When travelling in affected areas, prevent sandfly bites: use insect repellent, cover skin (especially at dusk and night when sandflies are active), and use fine-mesh bed nets.
- When to seek help: See a doctor or travel clinic about a slow-healing skin sore or ulcer after travel to an affected area, or a prolonged feverish illness with weight loss, so leishmaniasis can be considered and specialist assessment arranged.
What it is
Leishmaniasis is an infection caused by a parasite spread through the bites of infected sandflies, found in parts of the tropics, subtropics, and southern Europe (including areas around the Mediterranean). There are two main forms. The most common is cutaneous (skin) leishmaniasis, which causes one or more slowly developing skin sores or ulcers at the site of bites, often on exposed areas, which can take weeks to appear and be slow to heal, sometimes leaving scars. The more serious form is visceral leishmaniasis (also called kala-azar), which affects internal organs (such as the spleen, liver and bone marrow), causing prolonged fever, weight loss, an enlarged spleen and other effects, and can be life-threatening if untreated; it is rarer and occurs in specific regions. In the UK, leishmaniasis is seen in travellers, migrants, and sometimes military personnel returning from affected areas. It is diagnosed with samples from a skin sore or, for the internal form, blood and other tests.
How it is treated
Treatment depends on the form, the specific parasite and its location, and is guided by specialists (in infectious or tropical diseases). Some small skin sores may heal on their own over months, and are sometimes just monitored, while others are treated to speed healing, reduce scarring, or clear the parasite — with treatments applied to the sore or given by other routes, depending on the type. Visceral (internal) leishmaniasis always needs treatment, with specific anti-parasitic medicines, as it can be fatal untreated; treatment is effective in most cases. Because the type and best treatment vary considerably, specialist assessment is important. Prevention for travellers to affected areas focuses on avoiding sandfly bites — using insect repellent, covering skin, and using fine-mesh bed nets (sandflies are small) — as there is no vaccine. The reassuring message is that leishmaniasis is treatable with appropriate specialist care, and avoiding sandfly bites in affected areas is the main prevention.
For this condition, these medicines
Medicine classes used for Leishmaniasis
Each links to a full, dose-free guide — what it is, how it works, who can and cannot use it, side effects, interactions and FAQs.
Beyond medication
Lifestyle and self-care
When travelling in affected areas, prevent sandfly bites: use insect repellent, cover skin (especially at dusk and night when sandflies are active), and use fine-mesh bed nets. There is no vaccine, so bite prevention is the main protection.
When to get help
When to see a doctor
See a doctor or travel clinic about a slow-healing skin sore or ulcer after travel to an affected area, or a prolonged feverish illness with weight loss, so leishmaniasis can be considered and specialist assessment arranged.
Not sure how urgent it is? It is always OK to call NHS 111 for advice, day or night.
Answers
Leishmaniasis: frequently asked questions
How do you catch leishmaniasis?
Through the bites of infected sandflies, found in parts of the tropics, subtropics and around the Mediterranean. In the UK it is seen in travellers and migrants from affected areas.
What are the forms of leishmaniasis?
The common form causes slow-healing skin sores (cutaneous leishmaniasis). A rarer, more serious form affects internal organs (visceral leishmaniasis / kala-azar), causing prolonged fever and weight loss, and needs treatment as it can be fatal untreated.
Sources
Where this is drawn from
- NHS — Leishmaniasis
- TravelHealthPro guidance
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