benznidazole

Benznidazole is an antiparasitic and antiprotozoal small molecule drug primarily used for the treatment of Chagas disease (American trypanosomiasis), which is caused by the protozoan parasite *Trypanosoma cruzi*. It is considered a first-line therapy for this infection, especially in children aged 2 to 12 years. Benznidazole acts as a nitroimidazole derivative that undergoes reduction by nitroreductases within *T. cruzi* to form reactive electrophilic metabolites and free radicals. These metabolites cause damage to parasite DNA and other macromolecules through oxidative stress, leading to double-stranded DNA breaks and ultimately parasite death. The drug has high efficacy in acute infections but reduced effectiveness in chronic cases. Benznidazole was originally developed by Roche.

Brand names

RadanilRochaganLampit

Other names

N-benzyl-2-(2-nitroimidazol-1-yl)acetamide