Side effects of meglumine antimoniate in cutaneous leishmaniasis: 15 cases

Leishmaniasis is wide spread parasitic disease considered to be endemic in 88 countries in both old and new world. The standard treatment remains Meglumine antimoniate. We study the side effects of systemic meglumine antimoniate in cutaneous leishmaniasis. We conduct a retrospective study covering 3-year period (2002- 2005). All medical reports of cutaneous leishmaniasis treated by systemic Meglumine antimoniate are reviewed. The study comprise 63 patients all treated by systemic meglumine antimoniate at the dose of 60 mg/kg/day for 10-15 days. Side effects were noted in 15 cases (12 females and 3 males). The subject's age range from 11 to 78 years. Stibio-intolerance (fever, rash, arthralgia, abdominal pain) was observed in 12 cases and stibiotoxicity in 3 cases: precordialgies 1 case, hyperamylasemia and increase liver enzyme: 1 case, pancytopenia, renal and hepatic failure leading to death: 1 case, skin eruption: 7 cases, pruritus and erythema in the site of injection: 5 cases, urticaria: 1 case. Meglumine antimoniate was stopped in 13 cases. Meglumine antimoniate is the generally recommended treatment of cutaneous leishmaniasis. In spite of the rarity of Glucantime's side effects, we recommend a careful survey especially in older patients.