Fancidar

Fansidar is a specific antimalarial drug. ATC code: P01BD51.

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Indications Fancidar

Fansidar is used for malaria, particularly that caused by P. falciparum, which is resistant to other antimalarial drugs.

Fansidar is not used as a long-term prophylactic drug. The latter is possible only in areas that are defined as endemic for malaria sensitive to Fansidar, as well as in the presence of contraindications or the absence of other antimalarial drugs.

The drug may be prescribed for parasitic pathologies, for example, for the treatment of toxoplasmosis or for prophylactic purposes against pneumocystis infection.

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Release form

Fansidar is produced in the form of flat-cylindrical tablets of a light yellow or grayish shade, without a pronounced specific smell. One side of the tablet contains the inscription ROCHE with a hexagonal figure. On the opposite side there is a cross-shaped notch for dosing.

The active ingredients of Fansidar are Sulfadoxine and Pyrimethamine.

A cardboard box contains from 1 to 4 cell-less packages of 3 tablets each.

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Pharmacodynamics

The drug Fansidar affects asexual intraerythrocytic malarial plasmodia. The successful combination of active ingredients of this drug allows to suppress the activity of enzymes that participate in the production of folinic acid inside the parasites.

Strains resistant to chloroquine are sensitive to the action of Fansidar. However, in southeast Asia and the South American continent, other strains can be found that have developed resistance to the drug. For this reason, Fansidar is used very carefully in these regions, as well as in eastern and central Africa.

Among other things, the drug is used for infectious diseases caused by toxoplasma and pneumocystis.

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Pharmacokinetics

After a single dose of Fansidar, the level of active ingredients in plasma increases over 4 hours.

Plasma protein binding is approximately 90%. The components of the drug penetrate the placenta and are excreted during lactation.

The half-life is quite long and ranges from 100 to 200 hours. Excretion occurs mainly through the kidneys.

In people with renal failure, the elimination of the drug from the body may be significantly slower.

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Dosing and administration

Fansidar is taken after meals, with water and without chewing.

• In uncomplicated cases of malaria, the drug is taken once:
  • children weighing up to 10 kg – ½ tablet;
  • children weighing up to 20 kg – 1 tablet;
  • children weighing up to 30 kg – 1 ½ tablets;
  • children weighing up to 45 kg – 2 tablets;
  • adults weighing up to 45 kg – 2 tablets;
  • adults weighing over 45 kg – 3 tablets.
• In complicated cases of malaria, quinine is prescribed for 2-10 days, after which a single dose of Fansidar is added. Such treatment prevents the recurrence of the disease.
• The following treatment regimens are used to prevent malaria:
  • children weighing up to 10 kg – ½ tablet once every two weeks;
  • children weighing up to 30 kg – 1 tablet once every two weeks;
  • children weighing up to 45 kg – 1 ½ tablets once every two weeks;
  • adults weighing up to 45 kg – 1 ½ tablets once every two weeks;
  • Adults weighing over 45 kg – 1 tablet once a week.

For prophylactic purposes, the first tablet should be taken 7 days before travel to an endemic zone. After that, Fansidar should be taken throughout the entire stay plus 1-1 ½ months after leaving the zone.

Preventive treatment cannot last longer than 24 months in a row.

• When taking Fansidar on your own as a first aid, the medicine can be taken once using the first regimen suggested above.
• For the treatment of toxoplasmosis, adult patients are prescribed 2 tablets once every 7 days for six weeks.

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Use Fancidar during pregnancy

There is no sufficient data to judge the safety of Fansidar during pregnancy. For this reason, the drug is prescribed only if there are unconditional indications, having assessed the positive and, possibly, negative effects of Fansidar.

Before taking the drug prophylactically, women of reproductive age are prescribed contraceptive drugs, which should also be taken for 90 days after taking the last dose of Fansidar.

During lactation, taking the medication is not recommended: it is recommended that the child be switched to artificial feeding.

Contraindications

Fansidar has some limitations for use in the form of contraindications:

• high sensitivity to the ingredients of the drug;
• diagnosed megaloblastic anemia as a result of folic acid deficiency;
• pregnancy and breastfeeding;
• newborns and infants up to 2 months of age.

Prophylactic use is not recommended for people with severe kidney and liver damage, or blood dyscrasias.

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Side effects Fancidar

Fansidar in standard dosages is usually well tolerated. However, sometimes side effects occur, which should be reported to the doctor immediately:

• excessive sensitivity in the form of rashes, itching, redness of the skin, swelling;
• anemia, eosinophilia;
• heaviness in the abdomen, dyspepsia, pancreatitis;
• apathy, depression, irritability, sleep disturbances, convulsions;
• nephritis, crystalluria;
• fatigue, myasthenia, headache, fever, cough, difficulty breathing;
• pericarditis, myocarditis

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Overdose

Signs of an overdose of Fansidar include:

• lack of appetite;
• headaches;
• attacks of nausea and vomiting;
• excited state;
• convulsions;
• changes in blood composition (anemia, leukopenia);
• inflammation of the oral mucosa and tongue;
• presence of crystals in urine.

If acute symptoms appear, it is recommended to urgently wash the stomach or induce vomiting, ensure sufficient fluid intake. If convulsive syndrome develops, Diazepam or barbiturates should be used.

For a month after the detection of signs of overdose, medical monitoring of the liver and urinary system is necessary.

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Interactions with other drugs

Combinations of Fansidar with drugs such as Trimethoprim and Chloroquine should be avoided. Such combinations may increase the likelihood and severity of side effects.

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Storage conditions

Fansidar does not require any special storage conditions, except that the drug should not be kept within the reach of children.

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Shelf life

Fansidar can be stored under proper conditions for no longer than 5 years.

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