Nifurtimox/eflornithine
Nifurtimox/Eflornithine
Nifurtimox/Eflornithine (pronunciation: ni-fur-ti-mox / ef-lor-ni-thine) is a combination therapy used in the treatment of Human African Trypanosomiasis, also known as Sleeping Sickness.
Etymology
The term Nifurtimox is derived from its chemical name, nifursol-methyl-tetrahydro-timidazox. Eflornithine is named after the chemical difluoromethylornithine (DFMO), from which it is derived.
Nifurtimox
Nifurtimox is an antiparasitic drug used primarily in the treatment of Chagas Disease, caused by the parasite Trypanosoma cruzi. It works by producing free radicals within the parasite, leading to its death.
Eflornithine
Eflornithine is an enzyme inhibitor that works by blocking the enzyme ornithine decarboxylase, which is crucial for the growth and reproduction of the parasite. It is used in the treatment of facial hirsutism (excessive hair growth) and African trypanosomiasis.
Combination Therapy
The combination of Nifurtimox and Eflornithine is more effective than either drug alone in treating African trypanosomiasis. This combination therapy is recommended by the World Health Organization for the treatment of second-stage Gambiense human African trypanosomiasis.
Related Terms
- Parasite
- Trypanosoma brucei
- Trypanosoma cruzi
- Chagas Disease
- Sleeping Sickness
- World Health Organization
- Enzyme Inhibitor
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Nifurtimox/eflornithine
- Wikipedia's article - Nifurtimox/eflornithine
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