meglumine antimoniate

Meglumine antimoniate is a pentavalent antimonial compound that serves as a cornerstone in the treatment of leishmaniasis, a parasitic disease caused by species of the genus *Leishmania*. It is primarily indicated for visceral, cutaneous, and mucocutaneous leishmaniasis. The drug acts as a prodrug, undergoing reduction to the more toxic trivalent antimony (SbIII) within the parasite or host cells. This active form disrupts the parasite's energy metabolism by inhibiting glycolysis and fatty acid oxidation, and it interferes with the thiol-based redox system by inhibiting trypanothione reductase, leading to oxidative stress and parasite death. While effective, its use is associated with significant side effects, including cardiotoxicity, pancreatitis, and nephrotoxicity, and it requires parenteral administration, typically via intramuscular or intralesional routes.

Brand names

Glucantime

Other names

meglumine antimonateN-methylglucamine antimonateantimoniate de méglumine