Safety and efficacy of intravenous sodium stibogluconate in the treatment of leishmaniasis: recent U.S. military experience

Clin Infect Dis. 1998 Dec;27(6):1457-64. doi: 10.1086/515027.

Abstract

The efficacy and toxicity of sodium stibogluconate (SSG) at a dosage of 20 mg/(kg.d) for either 20 days (for cutaneous disease) or 28 days (for visceral, mucosal, or viscerotropic disease) in the treatment of leishmaniasis is reported. Ninety-six U.S. Department of Defense health care beneficiaries with parasitologically confirmed leishmaniasis were prospectively followed for 1 year. One patient was infected with human immunodeficiency virus; otherwise, comorbidity was absent. Clinical cure occurred in 91% of 83 cases of cutaneous disease and 93% of 13 cases of visceral/viscerotropic disease. Adverse effects were common and necessitated interruption of treatment in 28% of cases, but they were generally reversible. These included arthralgias and myalgias (58%), pancreatitis (97%), transaminitis (67%), headache (22%), hematologic suppression (44%), and rash (9%). No subsequent mucosal leishmaniasis was identified, and there were no deaths attributable to SSG or leishmaniasis.

Publication types

  • Clinical Trial
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Antimony Sodium Gluconate / adverse effects
  • Antimony Sodium Gluconate / therapeutic use*
  • Antiprotozoal Agents / adverse effects
  • Antiprotozoal Agents / therapeutic use*
  • Headache / chemically induced
  • Humans
  • Injections, Intravenous
  • Leishmaniasis / drug therapy*
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Military Personnel
  • Pancreatitis / chemically induced
  • Treatment Outcome

Substances

  • Antiprotozoal Agents
  • Antimony Sodium Gluconate