Suramin (Injection)

Suramin is used to treat African sleeping sickness (African trypanosomiasis) and river blindness (onchocerciasis), which are infections caused by parasites. This medicine works by making the parasites lose energy, leading to their death.

Suramin can cause serious side effects. Before starting treatment with this medicine, you and your doctor should discuss the benefits of this medicine as well as the risks involved.

Suramin is given in the hospital only by or under the immediate supervision of your doctor.

It is important that your doctor checks your progress at regular visits. This is to help ensure that the infection is completely cleared. Your doctor may also want to look for any side effects that may happen even after your treatment has finished.

In deciding to use a medicine, you and your doctor need to weigh the risks of taking the medicine against the benefits it may provide. For this medicine, consider the following:

Allergies

Inform your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to this medicine or any other medicines. Also, let your health care professional know about any other allergies, such as to foods, dyes, preservatives, or animals. For non-prescription products, read the label or package ingredients carefully.

Pediatric

Suramin can cause serious side effects in any patient. Therefore, it is especially important to discuss with the child's doctor the benefits of this medicine as well as the risks of using it.

Geriatric

Older adults are especially sensitive to the effects of suramin. This may increase the likelihood of side effects during treatment.

Breast Feeding

There are no adequate studies in women to determine the risk to infants when using this medication during breastfeeding. Weigh the potential benefits against the potential risks before taking this medication while breastfeeding.

Interactions with Medicines

Some medicines should never be used together, while in other cases, two different medicines may be used together even if there might be an interaction. In such cases, your doctor might want to adjust the dose, or other precautions may be needed. Inform your healthcare professional if you are taking any other prescription or nonprescription (over-the-counter [OTC]) medicine.

Interactions with Food/Tobacco/Alcohol

Some medicines should not be taken around mealtime or with certain types of food due to potential interactions. Using alcohol or tobacco with certain medicines may also cause interactions. Discuss with your healthcare professional how to use your medicine with food, alcohol, or tobacco.

Other Medical Problems

Having other medical problems may impact the use of this medicine. Be sure to inform your doctor if you have any other medical issues, especially:

• Kidney disease or
• Liver disease—Patients with kidney or liver disease may have a higher chance of side effects.

Along with its needed effects, Suramin (Injection) may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do, they may need medical attention.

Check with your doctor as soon as possible if any of the following side effects occur:

More common

• Cloudy urine
• Crawling or tingling sensation of the skin
• Diarrhea
• Faintness, especially after missing meals
• Headache
• Increased skin color
• Irritability
• Itching
• Joint pain
• Loss of appetite
• Nausea
• Numbness or weakness in arms, hands, legs, or feet
• Skin rash
• Stinging sensation on skin
• Swelling on skin
• Tenderness of the palms and the soles
• Tire easily
• Vomiting

Less common

• Changes in or loss of vision
• Extreme tiredness or weakness
• Increased sensitivity of eyes to light
• Painful tender glands in the neck, armpits, or groin
• Swelling around eyes
• Ulcers or sores in mouth
• Watery eyes

Rare

• Cold and clammy skin
• Convulsions
• Decreased blood pressure
• Difficulty in breathing
• Fever and sore throat
• Fever with or without chills
• Increased heartbeat
• Loss of consciousness
• Pale skin
• Pinpoint red spots on skin
• Red, thickened, or scaly skin
• Swelling and/or tenderness in upper abdominal or stomach area
• Swollen and/or painful glands
• Unusual bleeding or bruising
• Unusual tiredness or weakness
• Yellow eyes or skin

Some side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to Suramin (Injection). Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects. Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:

More common

• Abdominal pain
• Fever
• General feeling of discomfort
• Metallic taste

Other side effects not listed may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your healthcare professional.

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

To help clear up your infection completely, you must receive suramin on a regular schedule for the full time of treatment. It is also necessary for you to receive this medicine in the hospital so your doctor can check on your condition.

Dosing

The dose of this medicine will be different for different patients. Follow your doctor's orders or the directions on the label. The following information includes only the average doses of this medicine. If your dose is different, do not change it unless your doctor tells you to do so.

The amount of medicine that you take depends on the strength of the medicine. Also, the number of doses you take each day, the time allowed between doses, and the length of time you take the medicine depend on the medical problem for which you are using the medicine.

• For injection dosage form: For African sleeping sickness: Adults and children—Dose is based on body weight and must be determined by your doctor. For river blindness: Adults—Dose is based on body weight and must be determined by your doctor. Children—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.