Impavido (miltefosine)

Antiprotozoal Agents Oral Capsule

Advertisement

Last reviewed · Source: First Databank (FDB) drug data

Overview

Miltefosine, an alkylphosphocholine analog, is an antiprotozoal agent.

Miltefosine, an alkylphosphocholine analog, is an antiprotozoal agent with activity against Leishmania and some other organisms. Although the precise mechanisms of the drug's antileishmanial effects have not been fully elucidated, the mechanism may involve interaction with phospholipids and sterols (including membrane lipids), inhibition of mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase (mitochondrial function), and an apoptosis-like effect and cell death.

Miltefosine is active in vitro and in clinical infections against L. donovani, L. braziliensis, L. guyanensis, and L. panamensis. The drug also is active in vitro against L. aethiopica, L. amazonensis, L. mexicana, and L. tropica. Susceptibility of the different Leishmania species to miltefosine varies.

In addition, susceptibility of a specific species may vary based on geographic location.

Resistance to miltefosine can occur. Miltefosine-resistant Leishmania have been produced in vitro, and strains of L. braziliensis with intrinsic resistance to miltefosine have been identified. Resistance to miltefosine may be due to decreased miltefosine accumulation within Leishmania, which is thought to be caused by increased drug efflux, mediated by overexpression of the ABC transporter P-glycoprotein, and/or decreased drug uptake due to inactivation of miltefosine transport.

Absolute oral bioavailability of miltefosine has not been determined. Following oral administration of miltefosine in patients with visceral leishmaniasis, peak plasma concentrations of the drug are attained just prior to the next dose in many patients, indicating that absorption of the drug may persist throughout the dosing interval. Distribution of miltefosine in humans has not been evaluated; in rats, the drug is widely distributed following oral administration with highest concentrations in the kidney, liver, and spleen.

There is some evidence that miltefosine may be distributed into CSF in some patients. Miltefosine is 98% bound to plasma proteins. In vitro, oxidative metabolism of miltefosine by cytochrome P-450 (CYP) isoenzymes was not observed.

Following an oral dose of miltefosine in patients with visceral leishmaniasis, less than 0.2% of the dose is excreted in urine. Results of a study in patients with cutaneous leishmaniasis indicate that miltefosine has a primary elimination half-life of approximately 7 days and a terminal half-life of approximately 31 days.

USES: Miltefosine is used to treat a certain infection called leishmaniasis. It works by stopping the growth of certain parasites.

Generic name: miltefosine
Pronunciation: (mil-te-FOS-een)
Drug class: Antiprotozoal Agents
Therapeutic class: Anti-Infective Agents

Reference product & biosimilars

No reference, biosimilar or interchangeable associated with this drug.

Today’s intelligence on Impavido

Intelligence content is not available yet.

Indications

The following indications are listed for Impavido:

  • Cutaneous Leishmaniasis
  • Leishmaniasis
  • Visceral Leishmaniasis

Also known as: Assam Fever, Black Fever - Visceral Leishmaniasis, Black Sickness, Burdwan Fever, Cachectic Fever, Cachexial Fever, Dumdum Fever, Juccuya, Kala-Azar, Old World Leishmaniasis, Tropical Sore, Tropical Splenomegaly.

Dosing

No dosing information is available for this tab.

Drug interactions

Miltefosine does not markedly induce or inhibit the activity of cytochrome P-450 (CYP) isoenzymes in vitro or in animal studies.

The potential for miltefosine to interact with drug transporters has not been established.

Contraindications

Miltefosine is contraindicated in pregnant women; the drug may cause fetal harm. A urine or serum pregnancy test must be obtained prior to prescribing miltefosine for women of reproductive potential.

Miltefosine is contraindicated in patients with known hypersensitivity to the drug or any ingredient in the formulation.

The drug also is contraindicated in patients with Sjogren-Larsson syndrome.

Adverse reactions

Adverse effects occurring in 2% or more of patients receiving miltefosine for the treatment of cutaneous, mucocutaneous, or visceral leishmaniasis include GI effects (e.g., diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, epigastralgia, decreased appetite), CNS effects (dizziness, headache, somnolence), motion sickness, asthenia, malaise, pyrexia, pruritus, lymphangitis, increased serum creatinine, increased BUN, and increased hepatic aminotransferase (ALT, AST) concentrations.

Precautions

No enhanced messaging available.

ICD codes

CodeTypeDescription
Cutaneous leishmaniasis
B55.1ICD10CMCutaneous leishmaniasis
Leishmaniasis
B55ICD10CMLeishmaniasis
B55.0ICD10CMVisceral leishmaniasis
B55.1ICD10CMCutaneous leishmaniasis
B55.2ICD10CMMucocutaneous leishmaniasis
B55.9ICD10CMLeishmaniasis, unspecified
Visceral leishmaniasis
B55.0ICD10CMVisceral leishmaniasis

ICD code information from First Databank (FDB).

Formulary status

Search health-plan coverage for this drug by ZIP code.

Enter a ZIP code to view available health plans.

Last reviewed · Source: First Databank (FDB) drug data