Benznidazole

Benznidazole

File:Benznidazole.svg
Systematic (IUPAC) name
N-benzyl-2-(2-nitro-1H-imidazol-1-yl)acetamide
Clinical data
Trade names	Rochagan, Radanil
AHFS/Drugs.com	Micromedex Detailed Consumer Information
Routes of administration	Oral
Pharmacokinetic data
Bioavailability	High
Metabolism	Hepatic
Biological half-life	12 hours
Excretion	Renal and fecal
Identifiers
CAS Number	22994-85-0 Y
ATC code	P01CA02 (WHO)
PubChem	CID: 31593
ChemSpider	29299 Y
UNII	YC42NRJ1ZD Y
KEGG	D02489 Y
ChEMBL	CHEMBL110 Y
Chemical data
Formula	C12H12N4O3
Molecular mass	260.249 g/mol
SMILES O=[N+]([O-])c1nccn1CC(=O)NCc2ccccc2
InChI InChI=1S/C12H12N4O3/c17-11(14-8-10-4-2-1-3-5-10)9-15-7-6-13-12(15)16(18)19/h1-7H,8-9H2,(H,14,17) Y Key:CULUWZNBISUWAS-UHFFFAOYSA-N Y
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Benznidazole (INN, formerly marketed by Hoffman-La Roche under the trade names Rochagan and Radanil) is an antiparasitic medication used in the treatment of Chagas disease. Its mechanism of action is the production of free radicals, to which the Trypanosoma cruzi is particularly sensitive given its reduced detoxification capabilities. Roche donated the technology and rights to produce benznidazole to the Brazilian government.

It is on the World Health Organization's List of Essential Medicines, the most important medications needed in a basic health system.

Medical uses

Benznidazole has a significant activity during the acute phase of the disease, with a therapeutical success rate up to 80%. Its curative capabilities during the chronic phase are, however, limited. Some studies have found parasitologic cure (a complete elimination of T. cruzi from the body) in pediatric and young patients during the early stage of the chronic phase, but overall failure rate in chronically infected individuals is typically above 80%.

However, some studies indicate treatment with benznidazole in chronic patients, even if incapable of producing parasitologic cure, carries a significative reduction of occurrence of electrocardiographic changes and a delayed worsening of the clinical condition of the patient.

Benznidazole has proven to be effective in the treatment of reactivated T. cruzi infections caused by immunosuppression, such as AIDS patients or those under immunosuppressive therapy related to organ transplants.

Side effects

The side effects most commonly associated with benznidazole therapy are rash and gastrointestinal symptoms such as nausea. Rarely, peripheral neuropathy may present after prolonged treatment.