Suramin

For treatment of human sleeping sickness, onchocerciasis and other diseases caused by trypanosomes and worms.

PharmacodynamicsNot AvailableMechanism of action

The mechanism is unknown, but the trypanocidal activity may be due to the inhibition of enzymes involved with the oxidation of reduced nicotinamide-adenine dinucleotide (NADH), which functions as a co-enzyme in many cellular reactions, such as respiration and glycolysis, in the trypanosome parasite. Suramin's action in the treatment of onchocerciasis is macrofilaricidal and partially microfilaricidal. It may also act as an antagonist of P2 receptors and as an agonist of Ryanodine receptors. It also can inhibit follicle-stimulating hormone receptor