A medicine for Chagas disease and sleeping sickness
Nifurtimox
A specialist medicine used to treat Chagas disease and African sleeping sickness, taken under close supervision.
What is Nifurtimox?
Nifurtimox is a specialist medicine taken by mouth to treat two parasitic infections caught abroad: Chagas disease, found mainly in Latin America, and African sleeping sickness. It is given as a course under specialist supervision. It commonly causes stomach upset and weight loss, and it can affect the nervous system and mood, causing problems such as tingling, dizziness, low mood or, in some people, confusion. Alcohol should be avoided during treatment, as it can make side effects worse. The course must be completed for the treatment to work.
Education and reference only. This is a plain-language guide to Nifurtimox — it deliberately contains no doses. Doses depend on the person, the brand and the reason for treatment, and belong with your prescriber. Always check the BNF, the product labelling (SmPC) and follow medical advice.
What it is
Nifurtimox is a medicine used to treat infections caused by certain parasites, most importantly Chagas disease, which is spread mainly in parts of Latin America and can affect the heart and gut over many years, and African sleeping sickness, spread by the tsetse fly. It is taken by mouth as a course and is a specialist treatment, prescribed and closely supervised by infection or tropical-medicine teams. It is used because these infections can cause serious long-term harm if left untreated, and it is given with careful attention to its effects on the stomach and the nervous system.
How it works
Nifurtimox works against the parasite by being turned, inside the parasite, into reactive substances that damage the parasite's vital structures and kill it, helping to clear the infection. Because the parasite can be present in the body over a long course of treatment, the medicine is taken for an extended period to give the best chance of clearing it. Some of these same reactive effects, and the medicine's reach into the nervous system, help explain why it can cause side effects such as stomach upset and nerve or mood problems, which is why treatment is closely supervised.
Company & origin
Originated / developed by: Specialist manufacturers.
A specialist medicine used in the UK to treat Chagas disease and African sleeping sickness, infections caught abroad.
Practical use
How to take Nifurtimox
General, dose-free guidance — always follow your prescriber's and the leaflet's specific instructions.
- Take it by mouth as prescribed, usually with food to help reduce stomach upset, and complete the full course.
- Avoid alcohol throughout treatment, as it can make side effects worse.
- Eat regularly and tell your team if you are losing weight or struggling to eat, as this is common.
- Report any tingling, numbness, dizziness, low mood or confusion promptly so it can be managed.
- Tell your team about any nervous-system or mental-health problems before you start.
Weighing it up
Advantages & disadvantages of Nifurtimox
Advantages
- An effective treatment for Chagas disease and African sleeping sickness, infections that can cause serious long-term harm.
- Taken by mouth rather than only by injection.
- Given under close specialist supervision so side effects can be managed.
Disadvantages
- Commonly causes stomach upset, loss of appetite and weight loss.
- Can cause nervous-system effects such as tingling and dizziness, and mood changes including low mood or confusion.
- Requires a long course and avoidance of alcohol throughout.
Practical use
Good to know
Nifurtimox is a demanding but important treatment, so understanding its side effects helps people get through the course. Stomach upset and loss of appetite are common and often lead to weight loss, so your weight is watched and advice is given on eating well. It can also affect the nervous system, causing tingling, dizziness, headache or, in some people, mood changes, low mood or confusion, all of which should be reported so they can be managed or the dose reviewed. Avoiding alcohol during treatment is important, as it can worsen side effects. Completing the full course, even when you feel unwell, gives the best chance of clearing the infection. Tell your team about any nervous-system or mental-health problems before starting.
Who should not take it / use with caution
- People who have had a serious allergic reaction to nifurtimox should not take it.
- It is used with particular care in people with nervous-system or mental-health problems, because of its effects on these.
- It is used with care in pregnancy and breastfeeding, only under specialist supervision.
Monitoring
- Watching weight and appetite, and giving advice on eating well.
- Reviewing nervous-system symptoms and mood throughout the course.
- Checking how well the infection is responding to treatment.
Side effects
- Nausea, vomiting, stomach upset, loss of appetite and weight loss.
- Tingling, numbness, dizziness, headache or, in some people, mood changes such as low mood or confusion.
- Skin rash or, less commonly, more troublesome nerve or mental-health effects, which should be reported.
Key interactions
- Alcohol can worsen side effects and should be avoided during treatment.
- Tell your team about all your medicines, especially those affecting the nervous system or mood.
- Ongoing vomiting can reduce how much medicine is absorbed, so report it.
Available as: Tablets taken by mouth.
Answers
Nifurtimox: frequently asked questions
What is nifurtimox used for?
It is a specialist medicine used to treat Chagas disease and African sleeping sickness, parasitic infections that can cause serious long-term harm if untreated.
Why am I losing weight on it?
Stomach upset and loss of appetite are common with nifurtimox and often lead to weight loss, so your weight is watched and you are given advice on eating well.
Can it affect my mood or nerves?
Yes, it can cause nervous-system effects such as tingling and dizziness and, in some people, mood changes including low mood or confusion, which should be reported.
Can I drink alcohol while taking it?
No. Alcohol should be avoided throughout treatment, as it can make the side effects worse.
Do I have to finish the whole course?
Yes. Completing the full course, even when you feel unwell, gives the best chance of clearing the infection.
Authoritative sources
- BNF
- NICE CKS
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