Delamanid (OPC-67683) is a medication used to treat tuberculosis (TB). It is a member of the nitro-dihydro-imidazooxazole (NDI) class of medicines developed by Otsuka Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. Delamanid works by blocking the synthesis of a key component of the Mycobacterium tuberculosis (M. tuberculosis) cell wall, inhibiting its growth and making it more susceptible to antibiotics. Delamanid is used in combination with other TB drugs for the treatment of TB in adults with pulmonary multi-drug resistant TB (MDR-TB).
Delamanid is a medication specifically used in combination therapy to treat a serious and complex lung infection caused by a multidrug-resistant (MDR) strain of Mycobacterium tuberculosis bacteria. Here's a closer look at its key features:
What it's used for:
- Treats MDR tuberculosis (TB), a type of tuberculosis infection resistant to several standard TB medications.
- It's used alongside other TB medications to improve treatment outcomes in adults and children.
How it works:
- The exact mechanism of Delamanid against Mycobacterium tuberculosis is still being investigated.
- However, it's believed to interfere with the bacteria's fatty acid synthesis, which is essential for its survival.
Administration:
- Delamanid comes as tablets taken orally.
- It's typically part of a longer treatment regimen that may involve other TB medications for several months.
Important Considerations:
- Delamanid is a prescription medication and should only be used under the supervision of a doctor specializing in treating TB.
- Due to the complexity of MDR-TB treatment, it's crucial to follow the doctor's instructions precisely for the entire duration.
- Potential side effects include:
- Nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea
- Headache
- Fatigue
- Increased liver enzymes (monitoring required)
- QTc prolongation (a heart rhythm abnormality requiring ECG monitoring)
- Delamanid can interact with other medications, so inform your doctor about all your prescriptions and supplements.
- Pregnancy and breastfeeding are not recommended while taking Delamanid due to safety concerns.
Additional Resources:
- MedlinePlus: [Delamanid medlineplus ON MedlinePlus (.gov) medlineplus.gov] (limited information available)
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC): [Treatment for MDR-TB Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (.gov) cdc.gov]
- World Health Organization (WHO): [Guidelines for the programmatic management of drug-resistant tuberculosis WHO World Health Organization who.int]