Fexinidazole is a new FDA-approved medication for sleeping sickness (also known as African trypanosomiasis). It's the first all-oral treatment for sleeping sickness, meaning you don't need to get an injection or be at a hospital for treatment. But even though it's been FDA approved, it's currently not available in the United States.
| Common Brands | N/A |
|---|---|
| Drug Class | Antiprotozoal |
| Controlled Substance Classification | Not a controlled medication |
| Generic Status | No lower-cost generic available |
| Availability | Prescription only |
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Fexinidazole is a 10-day treatment for sleeping sickness caused by the parasite T.b. gambiense. This form of sleeping sickness is more commonly found in west and central Africa. Typically, treatment involves an injection into the veins at a hospital, but this is especially difficult for people who live in rural areas. Fexinidazole is an all-oral treatment that works both for the first and second stage of the infection.
Fexinidazole is an antiprotozoal medication. The exact way it works to treat sleeping sickness isn't exactly known, but it's thought to damage the parasite's DNA and proteins, making it impossible for it to survive.
Fexinidazole is typically taken once a day. The dose depends on your weight, and your provider will have you take a higher dose for the first few days, then lower it for the remaining days of treatment. Take your dose at the same time every day with food. Food will help make sure your body absorbs enough medication. Avoid drinking alcohol while you're taking Fexinidazole and for at least 2 days after your last dose. Alcohol can make you feel very sick while on this medication.
The most common side effects of Fexinidazole are headache, nausea, vomiting, tremor, weakness, trouble sleeping, poor appetite, and dizziness. Children seem to experience more vomiting than adults, even just 30 minutes after the dose. But in clinical studies, the vomiting wasn't bad enough to make people want to stop taking Fexinidazole.
Yes. Fexinidazole can cause serious heart problems, like an abnormal heart rhythm. But the risk is higher when you have a history of heart rhythm problems or if you take other medications that affect your heart rhythm. For your safety, tell your provider about your full medical history and about all the medications you're taking before starting treatment with Fexinidazole. In addition, Fexinidazole can cause serious liver problems. For this reason, your provider will monitor your liver while you're getting this medication. Get medical help right away if you notice dark-colored urine, stomach pain, or yellowing of your skin or eyes. Also, tell your provider if you experience any mood or behavior changes because some people have had anxiety, depression, suicidal thoughts, hallucinations, and personality changes while taking this medication.
