| dc.description.abstract | For treating Chagas disease (CD), a current worldwide health problem, only benznidazole and nifurtimox have been approved
to be used. In both cases, unwanted drug-related adverse events (ADRs) are frequent when these drugs are used in
adults in the chronic stage. The main objective of this study was to establish benznidazole ADRs and their relationship to
serum concentrations in patients with chronic Trypanosoma cruzi infection in order to perform more accurate dosages to
minimize ADRs. A total of 54 patients were recruited over 12 months. Of these 54 patients, 53 (98%) experienced at least
one ADR during follow-up, and the overall average ADR incidence was 2.4 episodes/patient/month. Benznidazole treatment
was discontinued in 11 patients, 7 among them due to severe adverse effects. The mean duration of treatment before
withdrawal was 11 days. Benznidazole serum concentrations were recorded on days 15, 30, 45, and 60 of follow-up and
evaluated according to clinical and epidemiological variables and ADR severity. No relationship was found between the
benznidazole serum concentration and the ADRs. The mean (standard deviation) trough serum benznidazole concentrations
(all below 20 mcg/ml) on days 15, 30, 45, and 60 were 6.4 (1.9), 6.1 (1.8), 6.2 (2.2), and 5.7 (1.7) g/ml, respectively.
Benznidazole serum concentrations do not appear to be related to the appearance of serious ADRs. Further, well-controlled
studies are necessary to establish the optimal regimen for benznidazole in adults with chronic CD. | es |
