Suramin is an acidic hexa-sulphated naphthylamide structural related to trypan red and trypan blue.
Suramin is active against both subspecies of pathogenic African trypanosomes: Trypanosoma brucei gambiense and Trypanosoma brucei rhodesiense. It also has in vitro activity against Onchocerca volvulus, Wucheria bancrofti and Cryptosporidium parvum.
Unknown.
Resistance to suramin is rare and is not a problem in clinical practice.
Half-life of 44-54 days in ill patients. 99.7% of suramin is proten-load. The drug is not metabolized, and is eliminated in the urine. CSF penetration is negligible.
Intravenous only: An intravenous test dose of 5 mg/kg (max: 200 mg) is first given 1-2 days before the first full dose, although anaphylactic reaction is rare. The standard regimen is then 20 mg/kg (up to 1 gram) on days 1, 3, 7, 14 and 21.
Shock after injection of suramin rarely occurs.
Proteinuria
Renal failure is rare.
In animals, suramin may cause birth defects or death of the foetus.
No reliable data.
Some commonly used brand names are: Antrypol; Bayer 205;Belganyl;309 F; Fourneau 309;Germanin;Moranyl; Naganin; Naganol; Naphuride.