Meglumine Antimoniate

Meglumine Antimoniate is an antiprotozoal drug. It is used to treat an infection called Leishmaniasis (kala-azar or black sickness) caused by protozoa.

It works by preventing energy production by protozoa, which is essential for protozoal survival. It is given by or under your doctor’s supervision.

Before using Meglumine Antimoniate, you must know all about the risks and complications associated with it.

Allergy

Inform your doctor if you are allergic to any food, preservatives, dyes, or had an allergic reaction when you used this drug before.

Children

There are no adequate studies done which prove Meglumine Antimoniate’s harmful effects in children. It is not expected to cause different effects than adults. Use it after consulting your doctor. However, safety and efficacy have not been established.

Elderly

This medicine does not cause any different side effects or problem than it does in younger adults. However, it should be used with caution.
Pregnancy: There are no adequate studies done neither on human nor on the animal. It effects to an unborn baby is unknown.

Breast Feeding

Meglumine Antimoniate is not known if it can pass into breast milk or not. If you are using it while nursing, discuss the potential risks with your doctor.

Drug Interactions

Meglumine Antimoniate may interact with other drugs. Your doctor should be informed of any other medicines which you are taking. He/she may want to change the dosage or drug.

Some of them are listed below,

• Antiarrhythmics (types IA, IC, III)
• Tricyclic antidepressants

Other Medical Conditions

Several other conditions may reduce its effectiveness.

Make sure you inform your doctor of conditions such as:

• Liver disease
• Heart disease
• Kidney disease
• Pancreatic disease

To use Meglumine Antimoniate properly, you must follow all instructions given by your doctor. Read the medication guide carefully. Ask your pharmacist if you have any queries.

It is given as an injection into your muscle by your doctor or a trained healthcare professional in a hospital or clinic.

Dosage:

It is different for different patients. Dosage mentioned below is an average dose. You must follow your doctor’s command.

For leishmaniasis:

Adult and children: 20 milligrams (mg) per kilogram (kg) is injected into muscle every 20 to 28 days. It may be continued or repeated as needed.

In using Meglumine Antimoniate, you must be careful and take some precautions as advised by your doctor.

Your doctor should check your daily progress at regular visits. Inform your doctor right away if your symptoms do not improve or they become worse.

As with many medications, there are several potential side effects associated with Meglumine Antimoniate. Some people may experience none or minor side effects. Consult with your doctor if they become problematic or frequent.

More common are:

• Fever
• Nausea
• Pain in the upper abdominal area extending to the back
• Vomiting
• Irregular heartbeat

Less common are:

• Troubled breathing, exertional; unusual tiredness or weakness
• Fever or chills
• Cough
• Hoarseness
• Decreased amount and frequency of urination
• Swelling of face

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.