Fexinidazole in human African trypanosomiasis: a profile of its use

AbstractFexinidazole winthrop (hereafter fexinidazole) is the first all-oral therapy available for the treatment of human African trypanosomiasis (HAT; commonly known as ‘sleeping sickness’). Fexinidazole is a 5-nitroimidazole derivative developed by the Drugs for Neglected Diseases initiative in collaboration with Sanofi. It has received a positive opinion from the European Medicines Agency (under Article 58) for the treatment of both stage 1 and 2 HAT due toTrypanosoma brucei gambiense (g-HAT) in patients aged  ≥ 6 years and weighing ≥ 20 kg, supporting its registration in endemic countries. In clinical trials, fexinidazole was associated with high rates of treatment success in both stage 1 and 2 g-HAT, with its efficacy in late stage 2 g-HAT being noninferior to that of the standard of oral nifurtimox + intravenous eflornithine combination therapy (NECT). Fexinidazole has an acceptable tolerability profile, with an overall incidence of adverse events generally similar to NECT. However, unlike NECT, fexinidazole has a simple 10-day tablet-based regimen, requires no definitive stagi ng diagnosis before use, and may be administered to selected patients in an outpatient setting. WHO g-HAT treatment guidelines have been updated to provide interim recommendations on the use of fexinidazole.
Source: Drugs and Therapy Perspectives - Category: Drugs & Pharmacology Source Type: research