Nifurtimox is indicated for treatment of Chagas disease caused by Trypanosoma cruzi in pediatric patients under 18 years old weighing at least 2.5 kg. It is available as 30mg and 120mg tablets. The mechanism of action involves production of toxic metabolites and reactive oxygen species through nitroreductase enzymes that induce DNA damage and death of T. cruzi trypomastigotes, amastigotes, and epimastigotes. Common adverse effects include headache, vomiting, nausea, rash, decreased appetite, abdominal pain, fever, and weight loss. A clinical study of 330 pediatric patients found the 60-day nifurtimox regimen was superior to the non-

1. Lampit® (nifurtimox)
by: Borromeo, Jozelle V.

2. · 30MG
· 120MG
DOSAGE FORM & STRENGTHS

3. MECHANISM OF ACTION
The mechanism of action of nifurtimox is not fully understood.
Studies suggest that:
Nifurtimox is metabolized/activated, by Type I (oxygen insensitive) and Type II
(oxygen sensitive) nitoreductases (NTR) leading to production of toxic
intermediate metabolites and reactive oxygen species that induce DNA damage
and cell death of both intracellular and extracellular forms of T. cruzi.

4. Antimicrobial Activity of Nifurtimox is active against all three
stages, trypomastigotes, amastigotes, and epimastigotes, of T.
cruzi.
Nitroreductase (NTR)- are mitochondrial enzymes that appear to
be essential for parasite growth

5. INDICATION
-Nifurtimox is indicated in pediatric patients under 18 years of
age weighing at least 2.5 kg (5.5 pounds)
-Treatment of Chagas disease (American Trypanosomiasis)
caused by Trypanosoma cruzi.

6. CHAGAS DISEASE
(American Trypanosomiasis)

8. PHARMACOKINETICS
Absorption:
Peak plasma time: 4 hr
Peak Plasma concentration: 425-568 mcg/L (single 120-mg dose)
Distribution: The plasma proteins binding of nifurtimox is 42%.
Elimination: elimination half-life of nifurtimox ranged between 2.4–3.6
hours (12–37%)

9. • headache
• vomiting
• nausea
• rash
• decreased appetite
• abdominal pain
• fever
· weight loss
ADVERSE EFFECTS

10. DRUG-DRUG INTERACTION
No clinical studies evaluating the
drug interaction potential of
nifurtimox have been conducted.

11. WARNING
-Hypersensitivity reactions could be accompanied
by hypotension, angioedema, dyspnea, pruritus, rash or
other severe skin reactions.
-At the first sign of serious hypersensitivity, discontinue
treatment with LAMPIT
-Gastrointestinal irritation

12. PRECAUTION
-Take with food
-Avoid drinking alcoholic beverages

13. ADMINISTRATION
-Tablets should be taken in three times a day, preferably in the
morning, at noon and at night, after meals.
-Lactating infants may take it pulverized and mixed with a
small amount of food. In this case it is convenient to give the
medication before the full meal.
-If patient cant swallow tablet, LAMPIT can be mixed in water

14. approximately one-half teaspoonful
(2.5ml) of water into a spoon
Lampit tablet
Preparing a Tablet and Water Mixture (Slurry)

15. PREGNANCY
-Studies have not been done in pregnant women.
-Based on animal studies, LAMPIT may cause fetal
harm when administered to a pregnant woman.
-Doses over 50 mg/kg per day in rats and 125
mg/kg per day in mice resulted in retarded growth
of the fetuses.

16. CLINICAL STUDY
The study was randomized, double-blind study assessed the
efficacy, safety, and pharmacokinetics of nifurtimox in 330
pediatric patients with serologic evidence of T. cruzi
infection/ with Chagas disease.
It was followed up for one year after end of treatment. The
results showed superiority in favor of the nifurtimox 60-day
compared to the nifurtimox 30-day (not an approved dosing
regimen).