Characterization of adverse reactions to benznidazole in patients with Chagas disease in the Federal District, Brazil

Abstract INTRODUCTION: Benznidazole is used for treating Chagas disease (CD). This cross-sectional study aimed to characterize the adverse drug reactions (ADRs) of benznidazole at a public hospital in Brazil’s Federal District. METHODS: Medical records were analyzed and ADRs were categorized by...

Full description

Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Maria Katarine Costa Lucas Gontijo, Hilda Maria Benevides da Silva de Arruda, Elza Ferreira Noronha, Maria Inês de Toledo
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Sociedade Brasileira de Medicina Tropical (SBMT) 2020-01-01
Series:Revista da Sociedade Brasileira de Medicina Tropical
Subjects:
Online Access:http://www.scielo.br/scielo.php?script=sci_arttext&pid=S0037-86822020000100622&tlng=en
Description
Summary:Abstract INTRODUCTION: Benznidazole is used for treating Chagas disease (CD). This cross-sectional study aimed to characterize the adverse drug reactions (ADRs) of benznidazole at a public hospital in Brazil’s Federal District. METHODS: Medical records were analyzed and ADRs were categorized by type, intensity, seriousness, and causality. RESULTS: Of the 62 patients who started benznidazole treatment for CD, 41 (66%) presented with 105 ADRs; 23 (37%) discontinued the treatment. Most reactions were classified as probable (81%), severe (63%), serious (67%), and dose-dependent (56%). CONCLUSIONS: The high incidence of ADRs because of treatment withdrawal revealed the need for safer alternatives for CD treatment.
ISSN:1678-9849