CLINICAL PHARMACOKINETICS OF SURAMIN IN PATIENTS WITH ONCHOCERCIASIS

Objective: Ten male patients with onchocerciasis received six weekly i nfusions of suramin according to the WHO-recommended regimen. Results: In no case did the plasma concentration of suramin exceed 300 mg l(-1 ), and serious toxicity was not observed. The apparent volume of distr ibution (median 20.6 1) was comparable to that reported for patients w ith prostatic carcinoma. Elimination from patients with onchocerciasis was relatively slow (median plasma clearance 6.2 ml.h(-1) median term inal elimination half-life 91.8 days). Conclusion: Microfilariae were eliminated in eight out of ten patients. Spontaneous nodule regression was noted in four patients.