Pentavalent antimonial
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Pentavalent antimonials (also abbreviated pentavalent Sb or SbV) are a group of compounds used for the treatment of leishmaniasis. They are also called pentavalent antimony compounds. The first pentavalent antimonial used was urea stibamate: first introduced in the 1930's, it fell out of favour in the 1950's due to higher toxocity compared to sodium stibogluconate.
The compounds currently available for clinical use are:
- sodium stibogluconate (Pentostam®; manufactured by GlaxoSmithKline; available in US and UK), which is administered by slow intravenous injection.
- and meglumine antimoniate (Glucantim®; manufactured by Aventis; available in France and Italy); which is administered by intramuscular injection.
The pentavalent antimonials can only be given by injection: there are no oral preparations available. In many countries, widespread resistance to antimony has meant that amphotericin or miltefosine are now used in preference.[1]
[edit] References
- ^ Olliaro P, Guerin P, Gerstl S, et al.. "Treatment options for visceral leishmaniasis: a systematic review of clinical studies done in India, 1980–2004.". Lancet Infect Dis 5 (12). DOI:10.1016/S1473-3099(05)70296-6.
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