Melarsoprol
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Melarsoprol
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| Systematic (IUPAC) name | |
| (2-(4-(4,6-diamino-1,3,5-triazin-2-ylamino)phenyl)- 1,3,2-dithiarsolan-4-yl)methanol |
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| Identifiers | |
| CAS number | |
| ATC code | P01 |
| PubChem | |
| Chemical data | |
| Formula | C12H15AsN6S2 |
| Mol. mass | 398.341 g/mol |
| Pharmacokinetic data | |
| Bioavailability | ? |
| Metabolism | ? |
| Half life | 35 hours |
| Excretion | Renal |
| Therapeutic considerations | |
| Pregnancy cat. |
? |
| Legal status |
? |
| Routes | IV |
Melarsoprol (INN) is a medicinal drug used in the treatment of Human African trypanosomiasis. It is also sold under the trade names “Mel B” and “Melarsen Oxide-BAL.” Being a toxic organic compound of arsenic, Melarsoprol is a highly dangerous treatment which is only administered by injection under the supervision of a physician. It is known to cause a range of side effects including convulsions, fever, loss of consciousness, rashes, bloody stools, nausea, and vomiting. It is fatal in and of itself in a significant fraction of cases.
Eflornithine is a more modern and far less dangerous treatment for sleeping sickness, but is expensive, not widely available on the market, and most of its supply comes from donations from its manufacturer. Melarsoprol is often referred to as "arsenic mixed with antifreeze" due to its composition and its unpleasant effects on patients.
Because the solvent propylene glycol in which Melarsoprol is presented can dissolve plastic, the drug must be administered via glass syringes and special IV tubes.[1]
Melarsoprol is also used in the treatment of Chagas disease, a New World trypanosomiasis discovered by the Brazilian doctor Carlos Chagas in 1909.
In the first season House episode "Fidelity", melarsoprol is administered to a patient with African sleeping sickness. [2]
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