The toxicology of the schistosomicidal agent oxamniquine

Abstract

Oxamniquine displayed low acute toxicity in mice, hamsters, and rabbits. In rats, however, oxamniquine was much more toxic, the female being 8-10 times more sensitive than the male; single doses elicited an idiosyncratic sex-linked hepatic necrosis and bile duct proliferation. Dogs given repeated oral doses of 20 or 30 mglkglday for 5 successive days every 4 weeks for 11 months showed neurological disturbances of short duration, which tended gradually to increase in severity from one dosage period to the next; no histopathological correlate could be found. In chronic studies in mice (18 months) and hamsters (19 months) with intermittent dosage regimens relevant to likely usage in man, no evidence of carcinogenicity potential was observed at dose levels up to 150 mglkg. Oxamniquine displayed no maternal toxicity or teratogenicity in mice and rabbits, and only slight embryotoxicity after high oral doses.

Endocrine Glands

“…223 The tumors are highly vascular so hemorrhage, thrombosis and necrosis may be seen. 241 In mice, they are generally much less common spontaneous lesions and less easily induced by administration of xenobiotics. They may be cytologically similar to normal pheochromocytes and arranged in characteristic cords and nests.…”

Chemotherapy for Fighting Schistosomiasis: Past, Present and Future

“…Chronic studies showed no evidence of carcinogenic effects, and neither maternal toxicity nor teratogenicity were observed. Only weak embryotoxicity was detected after applying high oral doses . Studies of mutagenicity were mostly negative, occasionally weakly positive .…”

“…Only weak embryotoxicity was detected after applyingh igh oral doses. [100] Studies of mutagenicityw ere mostly negative, occasionally weakly positive. [101][102][103] Side effects were often described to be mild and of short duration.N ausea, dizziness, drowsiness, headache, abdominald iscomfort, vomiting, and diarrhea were most commonly observed.…”