Nifurtimox (Systemic)

Brand Names : Lampit, Bayer 2502

Proper Use of This Medicine

Take this medicine with meals to decrease the chance of stomach upset. If you get an upset stomach and it does not go away after a short time, check with your doctor.

To help clear up your infection, take this medicine exactly as directed by your doctor for the full time of treatment .

When giving nifurtimox to infants, crush the tablets and mix them with some food at the beginning of a meal.

Dosing - The dose of nifurtimox will be different for different patients. Follow your doctor's orders or the directions on the label . The following information includes only the average doses of nifurtimox. If your dose is different, do not change it unless your doctor tells you to do so.

The number of tablets that you take depends on the strength of the medicine. Also, the number of doses you take each day, the time allowed between doses, and the length of time you take the medicine depend on the severity of the medical problem for which you are taking nifurtimox .

• For oral dosage form (tablets):
  • For Chagas" disease:
    • Adults and children 17 years of age and over - Dose is based on body weight and must be determined by your doctor. The usual dose is 8 to 10 milligrams (mg) per kilogram (kg) (3.6 to 4.5 mg per pound) of body weight per day divided into three or four smaller doses. Treatment should be given for ninety to one hundred twenty days.
    • Children up to 10 years of age - Dose is based on body weight and must be determined by your doctor. The usual dose is 15 to 20 mg per kg (6.8 to 9.0 mg per pound) of body weight per day divided into three or four smaller doses. Treatment should be given for ninety days. For severe infection, treatment should be given for one hundred twenty days.
    • Children 11 to 16 years of age - Dose is based on body weight and must be determined by your doctor. The usual dose is 12.5 to 15 mg per kg (5.6 to 6.8 mg per pound) of body weight per day divided into three or four smaller doses. Treatment should be given for ninety days. For severe infection, treatment should be given for one hundred twenty days.

Missed dose - If you miss a dose of this medicine, take it as soon as possible. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not double doses.

Storage - To store this medicine:

• Keep out of the reach of children.
• Store away from heat and direct light.
• Do not store in the bathroom, near the kitchen sink, or in other damp places. Heat or moisture may cause the medicine to break down.
• Do not keep outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed. Be sure that any discarded medicine is out of the reach of children.