Clinical pharmacokinetics of suramin in patients with onchocerciasis

• Published in: European journal of clinical pharmacology Vol. 54; no. 3; pp. 249 - 251
• Main Authors: CHIJIOKE, C. P, UMEH, R. E, MBAH, A. U, NWONU, P, FLECKENSTEIN, L. L, OKONKWO, P. O
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Heidelberg Springer 01-06-1998; Berlin Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Adult; Animals; Antibiotics. Antiinfectious agents. Antiparasitic agents; Antinematodal Agents - adverse effects; Antinematodal Agents - pharmacokinetics; Antinematodal Agents - therapeutic use; Antiparasitic agents; Aquaculture; Bioavailability; Biological and medical sciences; Exanthema - chemically induced; Foot - innervation; Humans; Hypopigmentation - chemically induced; Male; Medical sciences; Metabolic Clearance Rate; Microfilariae - drug effects; Middle Aged; Onchocerca - drug effects; Onchocerca - growth & development; Onchocerciasis; Onchocerciasis - blood; Onchocerciasis - drug therapy; Onchocerciasis - parasitology; Paresthesia - chemically induced; Patients; Pharmacokinetics; Pharmacology. Drug treatments; Prostate cancer; Pruritus - chemically induced; Skin - drug effects; Skin - parasitology; Suramin; Suramin - adverse effects; Suramin - pharmacokinetics; Suramin - therapeutic use; Time Factors; Toxicity; Treatment Outcome; Human; Skin disease; Intravenous administration; Microfilaria; Parasitosis; Helminthiasis; Onchocerciasis; Suramin sodium; Infection; Eye disease; Chemotherapy; Treatment; Perfusion; Nematode disease; Parasiticid; Adult; Filariosis; Pharmacokinetics
• ISSN: 0031-6970; 1432-1041
• DOI: 10.1007/s002280050454

Ten male patients with onchocerciasis received six weekly infusions of suramin according to the WHO-recommended regimen.
In no case did the plasma concentration of suramin exceed 300 mg x l(-1), and serious toxicity was not observed. The apparent volume of distribution (median 20.6 l) was comparable to that reported for patients with prostatic carcinoma. Elimination from patients with onchocerciasis was relatively slow (median plasma clearance 6.2 ml x h(-1), median terminal elimination half-life 91.8 days).
Microfilariae were eliminated in eight out of ten patients. Spontaneous nodule regression was noted in four patients.