by Kratz JM, Bournissen FG, Forsyth CJ, Sosa-Estani S. Expert Review of Clinical Pharmacology 2018, doi: 10.1080/17512433.2018.1509704.
Summary: Benznidazole (BZN) and nifurtimox are the only drugs recognized by the World Health Organization for the treatment of Chagas disease (CD), one of the most neglected public health problems in the Americas, where <1% of the estimated 6 million people infected have been diagnosed and treated. This review provides an overview of BZN, including its historical background, chemistry, mechanism of action, pharmacokinetics, clinical and preclinical research, resistance, toxicology, adverse effects, and current regulatory status. Ongoing investigations are assessing alternatives that improve safety while maintaining or increasing the efficacy of BZN by adjusting the current standard regimen or by combination with new chemical entities. Timely diagnosis and antitrypanosomal treatment are critical to eliminating CD as a public health problem.
