Pronunciation:

SUR-a-min

Uses of This Medicine:

Suramin is used in the treatment of African sleeping sickness (African trypanosomiasis) and river blindness (onchocerciasis), infections caused by parasites. This medicine works by causing the parasites to lose energy, which causes their death.

Suramin may cause serious side effects. Before you begin treatment with this medicine, you and your doctor should talk about the good this medicine will do as well as the risks of receiving it.

Suramin is administered in the hospital only by or under the immediate supervision of your doctor.

Before Using This Medicine:

In deciding to use a medicine, the risks of taking the medicine must be weighed against the good it will do. This is a decision you and your doctor will make. For this medicine, the following should be considered:

Allergies—

Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to this medicine or any other medicines. Also tell your health care professional if you have any other types of allergies, such as to foods, dyes, preservatives, or animals. For non-prescription products, read the label or package ingredients carefully.

Children—

Suramin can cause serious side effects in any patient. Therefore, it is especially important that you discuss with the child's doctor the good that this medicine may do as well as the risks of receiving it.

Older adults—

Elderly people are especially sensitive to the effects of suramin. This may increase the chance of side effects during treatment.

Breast-feeding—

There are no adequate studies in women for determining infant risk when using this medication during breastfeeding. Weigh the potential benefits against the potential risks before taking this medication while breastfeeding.

Other medicines—

Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. Tell your healthcare professional if you are taking any other prescription or nonprescription (over-the-counter [OTC]) medicine.

Other interactions—

Certain medicines should not be used at or around the time of eating food or eating certain types of food since interactions may occur. Using alcohol or tobacco with certain medicines may also cause interactions to occur. Discuss with your healthcare professional the use of your medicine with food, alcohol, or tobacco.

Other medical problems—

The presence of other medical problems may affect the use of this medicine. Make sure you tell your doctor if you have any other medical problems, especially:

• Kidney disease or
• Liver disease—Patients with kidney or liver disease may have an increased chance of side effects

Proper Use of This Medicine:

To help clear up your infection completely, you must receive suramin on a regular schedule for the full time of treatment. It is also necessary for you to receive this medicine in the hospital so your doctor can check on your condition.

Dosing—

The dose of this medicine will be different for different patients. Follow your doctor's orders or the directions on the label. The following information includes only the average doses of this medicine. If your dose is different, do not change it unless your doctor tells you to do so.

The amount of medicine that you take depends on the strength of the medicine. Also, the number of doses you take each day, the time allowed between doses, and the length of time you take the medicine depend on the medical problem for which you are using the medicine.

• For injection dosage form:
  • For African sleeping sickness:
    • Adults and children—Dose is based on body weight and must be determined by your doctor.
  • For river blindness:
    • Adults—Dose is based on body weight and must be determined by your doctor.
    • Children—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.

Precautions While Using This Medicine:

It is important that your doctor check your progress at regular visits. This is to help make sure that the infection is cleared up completely. Your doctor may also want to check for any side effects that may occur even after your treatment has ended.

Side Effects of This Medicine:

Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.

Check with your doctor as soon as possible if any of the following side effects occur:

More common

Cloudy urine

crawling or tingling sensation of the skin

diarrhea

faintness, especially after missing meals

headache

increased skin color

irritability

itching

joint pain

loss of appetite

nausea

numbness or weakness in arms, hands, legs, or feet

skin rash

stinging sensation on skin

swelling on skin

tenderness of the palms and the soles

tire easily

vomiting

Less common

Changes in or loss of vision

extreme tiredness or weakness

increased sensitivity of eyes to light

painful tender glands in the neck, armpits, or groin

swelling around eyes

ulcers or sores in mouth

watery eyes

Rare

Cold and clammy skin

convulsions

decreased blood pressure

difficulty in breathing

fever and sore throat

fever with or without chills

increased heartbeat

loss of consciousness

pale skin

pinpoint red spots on skin

red, thickened, or scaly skin

swelling and/or tenderness in upper abdominal or stomach area

swollen and/or painful glands

unusual bleeding or bruising

unusual tiredness or weakness

yellow eyes or skin

Some side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects. Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:

More common

Abdominal pain

fever

general feeling of discomfort

metallic taste

Other side effects not listed may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your healthcare professional.

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.