Miltefosine

IUPAC: hexadecyl -2- trimethylazaniumylethylphosphat

L01XX09, P01CX04

Antiprotozoals, cytostatics

232-234 ° C ( decomposition)

Risk

246 mg · kg -1 ( LD50, rat, oral)

Template: Infobox chemical / molecular formula search available

Miltefosine, a phospholipid from the family of Alkyphosphocholine with the fabric name hexadecylphosphocholine, is a drug against the protozoa of the Leishmania, the causative agent of leishmaniasis (kala -azar, dumdum fever, Aleppo bump or oriental sore ). It has been shown in studies in humans, and in animals, to be effective against Leishmania donovani and Leishmania infantum. The drug is also used experimentally for the treatment of infection with Naegleria fowleri amoeba.

Side effects

Orally administered miltefosine may cause mild to moderate gastrointestinal complaints. There may be a reversible increases in transaminases and creatinine. There will be relatively frequent diarrhea and vomiting, skin irritation is not uncommon.

However, miltefosine alternative drug therapies (N- methylglucamine antimonate and amphotericin B ) are also known for their significant side effects.

History of development

Miltefosine was developed in the 1990s at the Max Planck Institute for Biophysical Chemistry by Hansjörg Eibl and Clemens Unger and used in early clinical trials as a therapeutic agent. Since 2004, miltefosine has been approved for the treatment of leishmaniasis. For animals, the active ingredient in Spain, Italy, Greece and Switzerland is approved.

Trade names

Impavido (D) Miltex (D, A)

Veterinary medicine: Milteforan (CH, I, E, GR)