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Overview: Lampit is used to treat Chagas disease, which is caused by a parasite. Common side effects include nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, headache, and loss of appetite. Your weight will need to be monitored, so keep all appointments with your health care provider. Use birth control if you can get pregnant or get a partner pregnant. Tell your health care provider right away if you are pregnant or think you may be pregnant.

Uses

What is Lampit used for?

Lampit (nifurtimox) is commonly used to treat Chagas disease, which is a parasitic infection.

Lampit may also be used for other conditions as determined by your health care provider.

How does Lampit work (mechanism of action)?

Lampit kills the parasite that causes Chagas disease. In your body, Lampit turns into chemicals that are toxic to the parasite.

How is Lampit supplied (dosage forms)?

Brands and other names

  • Lampit

Dosage forms and strengths

  • 30 mg oral tablets
  • 120 mg oral tablets

How should I store Lampit?

Lampit should be stored at room temperature, between 68 F and 77 F (20 C and 25 C). It can be exposed to temperatures between 59 F and 86 F (15 C and 30 C) for shorter periods of time, such as when transporting it. Store in a cool, dry place. Store Lampit tablets in the original bottle with the cap tightly closed. Do not remove the desiccant, which is the packet that helps keep your medicine dry.

Side Effects

What are the most common side effects of Lampit?

The most common side effects of Lampit are listed below. Tell your health care provider if you have any of these side effects that bother you.

  • Nausea and vomiting
  • Stomach pain
  • Headache
  • Loss of appetite (see below)
  • Fever
  • Rash

There may be other side effects of Lampit that are not listed here. Contact your health care provider if you think you are having a side effect of a medicine. In the U.S., you can report side effects to the FDA at www.fda.gov/medwatch or by calling 800-FDA-1088 (800-332-1088). In Canada, you can report side effects to Health Canada at www.health.gc.ca/medeffect or by calling 866-234-2345.

What are the serious side effects of Lampit?

While less common, the most serious side effects of Lampit are described below, along with what to do if they happen.

Severe Allergic Reactions. Lampit may cause allergic reactions, which can be serious. Stop taking Lampit and get help right away if you have any of the following symptoms of a serious allergic reaction.

  • Breathing problems or wheezing
  • Racing heart
  • Fever or general ill feeling
  • Swollen lymph nodes
  • Swelling of the face, lips, mouth, tongue, or throat
  • Trouble swallowing or throat tightness
  • Itching or skin rash
  • Bumps on the skin called hives that can be red, pink, white, or brown depending on your skin tone
  • Nausea or vomiting
  • Dizziness, feeling lightheaded, or fainting
  • Stomach cramps
  • Joint pain

DNA Damage. Lampit may cause DNA damage, which may increase your risk of getting cancer. Talk to your health care provider if you have had a cancer or tumor or if you have any concerns.

Loss of Appetite. Lampit may cause loss of appetite, which can lead to weight loss. The risk may be higher if you also have nausea or vomiting while taking Lampit. Keep all appointments with your health care provider, as your weight needs to be checked during your treatment with this medicine. Talk to your health care provider if you are concerned about weight loss.

Warnings & Precautions

Who should not use Lampit?

Allergies to Ingredients. People who are allergic to any of the following should not take Lampit.

  • Lampit
  • Nifurtimox
  • Any of the ingredients in the specific product dispensed

Your pharmacist can tell you all of the ingredients in Lampit.

Alcohol. Do not take Lampit if you plan to drink alcohol during treatment. See the Interactions section for more details.

What should I know about Lampit before using it?

Do not take Lampit unless it has been prescribed to you by a health care provider. Take it as prescribed.

Do not share Lampit with other people, even if they have the same condition as you. It may harm them.

Keep Lampit out of the reach of children.

Consider taking each dose of Lampit with breakfast, lunch, and dinner. This medicine needs to be taken with food about every eight hours.

Lampit tablets are scored and can be split into halves by hand. Do not break the tablets using a tablet-splitting device. If you cannot swallow tablets or half tablets, they can be dispersed in water and taken as a slurry.

Lampit may cause muscle weakness or shakiness. If this occurs, do not drive or perform other activities that require muscle coordination until the effects clear up, and you know how Lampit affects you.

Lampit may make it hard for you to get your partner pregnant. If you would like to father a child one day, talk to your health care provider. If you can get your partner pregnant, use a condom while taking Lampit and for three months after your last dose.

What should I tell my health care provider before using Lampit?

Tell your health care provider about all of your health conditions and any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using. This will help them determine if Lampit is right for you.

In particular, make sure that you discuss any of the following.

Current and Past Health Conditions. Tell your health care provider if you have any of the following.

  • Brain injury
  • Seizures
  • Mental or psychiatric conditions
  • Behavioral problems
  • Porphyria, a rare genetic condition that affects your red blood cells 
  • Kidney or liver problems

Pregnancy. Do not take Lampit if you are pregnant. Lampit may cause harm to a fetus. If you can become pregnant, use effective birth control when taking this medicine and for six months after your last dose. Tell your health care provider right away if you are pregnant, think you may be pregnant, or plan to become pregnant.

Breastfeeding. Lampit passes into breast milk. Tell your health care provider if you are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. Your health care provider will let you know if you should take Lampit while breastfeeding. If you are told to take Lampit while breastfeeding, tell your health care provider right away if your baby gets vomiting, rash, fever, irritability, or not wanting to eat.

How can I get more information about Lampit?

For more information about Lampit, you can visit the drugmaker’s website at www.lampit.com or call them at 888-842-2937.

Interactions

Does Lampit interact with foods or drinks?

Lampit should be taken with food. Taking Lampit on an empty stomach may cause the medicine to not work as well in your body.

Do not drink alcohol during your treatment with Lampit. Drinking alcohol can increase the risk of having severe side effects from this medicine. You should not take Lampit if you plan to drink alcohol during treatment.

Does Lampit interact with other medicines (drug interactions)?

There are no known interactions between Lampit and other medicines. Always tell your health care provider about any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using.

Does interact with other drugs you are taking?

Enter your medication into the WebMD interaction checker

Overdose/Missed Dose

What should I do if I accidentally use too much Lampit?

If you or someone else has used too much Lampit, get medical help right away, call 911, or contact a Poison Control center at 800-222-1222.

What should I do if I miss a dose of Lampit?

If you miss a dose and at least three hours are remaining until the next scheduled dose, take it as soon as you remember with food. If it is within three hours of your next dose, skip the missed dose and only take the next dose. Do not take double or extra doses.

It is important to complete your prescribed course of Lampit, even if your symptoms get better or go away. This will reduce the risk of future infections being resistant to Lampit or other similar medicines.