MILTEFOSINE: THE ADVANTAGES OF ORAL TREATMENT IN TEGUMENTARY LEISHMANIASIS – CASE REPORT (Atena Editora)

Abstract

Introduction: Cutaneous leishmaniasis (TL) is an infection by the protozoan of the genus Leishmania, which mainly affects the population in socioeconomic vulnerability, with a high incidence. However, there is a lack of search for new effective treatments with more convenient dosages and route of administration than Meglumine, a drug with high toxicity for parenteral use. Recently, Miltefosine was incorporated into the Unified Health System, as a treatment for LT, opening a new chapter in combating the infection, as it was the first medication for this purpose to be used orally. Objective: To demonstrate the effectiveness of treating a case of TL with the use of Miltefosine in relation to the classic treatment with Meglumine. Material and Method: The present study reports a case of a 55-year-old male patient, from Rondonópolis/MT presenting a pustular lesion, with evolution to an ulcerated lesion, associated with local phlogistic signs and palpable lymph nodes in the cervical region. In addition to using articles from the database: Scielo, Ministry of Health and ScienceDirect, based on the keywords: “cutaneous leishmaniasis”, “miltefosine”, “meglumine. Results: Miltefosine, as it is administered orally, guarantees a large advantage over Meglumine, ensuring greater adherence and accessibility to treatment, not requiring hospitalization or frequent visits to health services, and has few side effects. In addition to presenting a cure rate similar to Meglumine. Conclusion: The incorporation of Miltefosine in the treatment of TL represents a breakthrough. As it is an orally administered drug, it ensures greater comfort, less need for monitoring and low-severity adverse events, with similar efficacy and greater safety compared to Meglumine, until then the first-line treatment for TL. The greatest precaution in the use of Miltefosine is its teratogenic effect, recommending the mandatory use of contraceptives during treatment and 4 to 6 months after its end. This way, Miltefosine guarantees greater adherence and accessibility to the treatment of tegumentary Leishmaniasis, already made available by the Unified Health System. recommending the mandatory use of contraceptives during treatment and 4 to 6 months after its end. This way, Miltefosine guarantees greater adherence and accessibility to the treatment of tegumentary Leishmaniasis, already made available by the Unified Health System. recommending the mandatory use of contraceptives during treatment and 4 to 6 months after its end. This way, Miltefosine guarantees greater adherence and accessibility to the treatment of tegumentary Leishmaniasis, already made available by the Unified Health System.