Benznidazole (Systemic)

Brand Names : Radanil, Rochagan, Ro7-1051

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 benznidazole, the following should be considered:

Allergies - Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to benznidazole. Also tell your health care professional if you are allergic to any other substances, such as foods, preservatives, or dyes.

Pregnancy - Studies have not been done in pregnant women. The World Health Organization (WHO) does not recommend the use of benznidazole during the first 3 months of pregnancy. However, this medicine has not been shown to cause birth defects or other problems in animal studies.

Breast-feeding - It is not known whether benznidazole passes into breast milk. Although most medicines pass into breast milk in small amounts, many of them may be used safely while breast-feeding. Mothers who are taking this medicine and who wish to breast-feed should discuss this with their doctor.

Children - Although there is no specific information comparing use of benznidazole in children with use in other age groups, this medicine is not expected to cause different side effects or problems in children than it does in adults.

Older adults - Many medicines have not been studied specifically in older people. Therefore, it may not be known whether they work exactly the same way they do in younger adults or if they cause different side effects or problems in older people. There is no specific information comparing use of benznidazole in the elderly with use in other age groups.

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. When you are taking benznidazole, it is especially important that your health care professional know if you are taking any of the following:

• Alcohol - Taking alcohol with benznidazole may cause unwanted effects such as stomach cramps, nausea, vomiting, headache, or redness of face

• Inflammation or pain medicine, except narcotics, such as aspirin, or
• Anticoagulants (blood thinners), such as warfarin (e.g., Coumadin, Panwarfarin, Warfilone) - Taking aspirin or anticoagulants with benznidazole may increase the chance of bleeding

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

• Blood disease or
• Kidney disease or
• Liver disease - Patients with these conditions may have an increased chance of side effects