Frequently asked questions for Sodium Stibogluconate
Sodium Stibogluconate
Q. What is Sodium Stibogluconate used for?
Sodium Stibogluconate is used to treat certain types of leishmaniasis (a disease caused by the bite of certain sandflies), such as visceral leishmaniasis (a disease affecting the internal organs), cutaneous leishmaniasis (a disease affecting the skin) or mucosal leishmaniasis (a disease affecting the nose, mouth or throat).Q. Who should not use Sodium Stibogluconate?
Use of Sodium Stibogluconate should be avoided in patients who are allergic to Sodium Stibogluconate or any of its components. However, if you are not aware of any allergy or if you are using Sodium Stibogluconate for the first time, consult your doctor. Q. What should I tell my doctor before starting treatment with Sodium Stibogluconate?
Before starting treatment with Sodium Stibogluconate, tell your doctor if you have any other health problems, like kidney or heart problems. This is because certain medical conditions may affect your treatment and you may even need dose modifications. Let your doctor know about all the other medicines you are taking because they may affect, or be affected by, this medicine. Inform your doctor if you are taking any other medicines or if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.Q. How is Sodium Stibogluconate administered?
Sodium Stibogluconate should be administered either into a vein (intravenously) or into a muscle (intramuscularly), under the supervision of a trained healthcare professional or a doctor only and should not be self-administered. The dose will depend on the condition you are being treated for and will be decided by your doctor. Follow your doctor’s instructions carefully to get maximum benefit from Sodium Stibogluconate.Q. Is Sodium Stibogluconate safe?
Sodium Stibogluconate is safe if used in the dose and duration advised by your doctor. Take it exactly as directed and do not skip any dose. Follow your doctor's instructions carefully and let your doctor know if any of the side effects bother you.Q. Is Sodium Stibogluconate safe to be used in pregnancy?
Sufficient information regarding the use of this medicine during pregnancy is not available. If leishmaniasis is not treated during pregnancy it may lead to congenital leishmaniasis in the newborn. Some studies suggest that the use of Sodium Stibogluconate during pregnancy may be harmful for the development of the fetus (baby). Therefore, Sodium Stibogluconate is advised only if the benefits of the medicine outweigh the risks involved with its use. If you are planning to conceive, are pregnant, or breastfeeding, inform your doctor before taking Sodium Stibogluconate.