Clinical Pharmacology of Drugs for the Treatment of Chagas Disease

Abstract

Chagas disease is a parasitic disease endemic to Latin America that, if left untreated, can lead to severe long-term organ damage, particularly in the heart and gastrointestinal tract. Treatment with benznidazole or nifurtimox has been shown to be effective in the acute phase and during childhood, and limited evidence suggest a beneficial effect later in life too. However, both drugs require prolonged treatments (30–60 days) and are associated to significant adverse events that increase in severity and prevalence with age. Prompt pediatric diagnosis and treatment are vital for an effective use of these medications.