Nifurtimox oral tablets

What is this medication?

NIFURTIMOX (nye FURE ti mox) is an anti-infective. It is used to treat certain parasite infections.

This medicine may be used for other purposes; ask your health care provider or pharmacist if you have questions.

COMMON BRAND NAME(S): Lampit

What should I tell my care team before I take this medication?

They need to know if you have any of these conditions:

• history of head injury
• if you drink alcohol
• kidney disease
• liver disease
• mental illness
• porphyria
• seizures
• an unusual or allergic reaction to nifurtimox, other medicines, foods, dyes or preservatives
• pregnant or trying to get pregnant
• breast-feeding

How should I use this medication?

Take this medicine by mouth with a glass of water. Take this medicine with food. Tablets may be broken in half by hand at score lines as directed. Do not split tablets using a tablet splitting device. Tablets may also be crushed and mixed with 2.5 mL of water on a spoon and made into a slurry. Take the slurry right away. Follow the directions on the prescription label or those given to you by your pharmacist. Take your medicine at regular intervals. Do not take it more often than directed. Take all of your medicine as directed even if you think you are better. Do not skip doses or stop your medicine early.

Talk to your pediatrician regarding the use of this medicine in children. While this drug may be prescribed for children as young as newborns for selected conditions, precautions do apply.

Overdosage: If you think you have taken too much of this medicine contact a poison control center or emergency room at once.

NOTE: This medicine is only for you. Do not share this medicine with others.

What if I miss a dose?

If you miss a dose, take the missed dose as soon as possible with food. If it is within 3 hours of the next scheduled dose, skip the missed dose. Take your next dose at the normal time. Do not take double or extra doses.

What may interact with this medication?

Do not take this medicine with any of the following medications:

• alcohol or any product containing alcohol

This list may not describe all possible interactions. Give your health care provider a list of all the medicines, herbs, non-prescription drugs, or dietary supplements you use. Also tell them if you smoke, drink alcohol, or use illegal drugs. Some items may interact with your medicine.

What should I watch for while using this medication?

Tell your health care professional if your symptoms do not start to get better or if they get worse.

Avoid alcoholic drinks and products containing alcohol while you are taking this medicine. Alcohol may make you feel dizzy, sick, or flushed.

Do not become pregnant while taking this medicine or for 6 months after stopping it. Women should inform their health care professional if they wish to become pregnant or think they might be pregnant. Men should not father a child while taking this medicine and for 3 months after stopping it. There is potential for serious side effects to an unborn child. Talk to your health care professional for more information.

Do not drive, cycle, or use machinery if muscle weakness or tremors occur during treatment.

What side effects may I notice from receiving this medication?

Side effects that you should report to your doctor or health care professional as soon as possible:

• allergic reactions like skin rash, itching or hives, swelling of the face, lips, or tongue
• breathing problems
• changes in behavior
• changes in emotions or moods
• seizures
• weight loss

Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report these to your doctor or health care professional if they continue or are bothersome):

• fever
• headache
• loss of appetite
• nausea, vomiting
• stomach pain

This list may not describe all possible side effects. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Where should I keep my medication?

Keep out of the reach of children.

Store at room temperature between 15 and 30 degrees C (59 and 86 degrees F). Keep this medicine in the original container. Keep container tightly closed. Do not throw out the packet in the container. It keeps the medicine dry. Throw away any unused medicine after the expiration date.

NOTE: This sheet is a summary. It may not cover all possible information. If you have questions about this medicine, talk to your doctor, pharmacist, or health care provider.