Characterization of adverse reactions to benznidazole in patients with Chagas disease in the Federal District, Brazil

Abstract

Introduction: Benznidazole is used for treating Chagas disease (CD). This cross-sectional study aimed to characterize the adverse drug reactions (ADRs) of benznidazole at a public hospital in Brazil's Federal District. Methods: Medical records were analyzed and ADRs were categorized by type, intensity, seriousness, and causality. Results: Of the 62 patients who started benznidazole treatment for CD, 41 (66%) presented with 105 ADRs; 23 (37%) discontinued the treatment. Most reactions were classified as probable (81%), severe (63%), serious (67%), and dose-dependent (56%). Conclusions: The high incidence of ADRs because of treatment withdrawal revealed the need for safer alternatives for CD treatment.

Tolerance and Adherence of Patients with Chronic Chagas Disease Treated with Benznidazole

“…The most frequent benznidazole-related adverse effects were mild and moderate/severe dermatological reactions (~14%-22%), and the second most frequent were neurologic disorders (10%). Compared with previous retrospective studies 16 , 21 - 24 , our patients had fewer gastrointestinal disorders (only 5% versus 20%-30%). A limitation of our study was the exclusion of patients who did not return for follow-up, which might introduce bias, as patients with more severe adverse effects may have decided not to return to the clinic, although this might also mean that they simply had not taken the medication.…”