Suramin (Systemic)
Brand Names : Antrypol, Bayer 205, Belganyl, 309 F, Fourneau 309, Germanin, Moranyl, Naganin, Naganol, Naphuride
Before Receiving This MedicineIn 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 suramin, the following should be considered:
Allergies - Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or
allergic reaction to suramin. Also tell your health care professional if you
are allergic to any other substances, such as foods, preservatives, or dyes. Before giving the full dose of suramin, your doctor will give you a test
dose to make sure you are not allergic to this medicine.
Pregnancy - Suramin has not been studied in pregnant women. However,
studies in animals have shown that suramin may cause birth defects or death
of the fetus. If you have a very serious disease, such as African sleeping
sickness, and there are no other medicines available for use, your doctor
may want to treat you with suramin even if you are pregnant. However, suramin
is not recommended for use in pregnant women with less serious conditions,
such as river blindness. Before receiving this medicine, make sure your doctor
knows if you are pregnant or if you may become pregnant.
Breast-feeding - It is not known whether suramin 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 receiving
this medicine and who wish to breast-feed should discuss this with their doctor.
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.
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 health care
professional if you are taking any other prescription or nonprescription (over-the-counter
[OTC]) medicines.
Other medical problems - The presence of other medical
problems may affect the use of suramin. 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
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