Acetarsone
An organoarsenic compound used in medicine
| Drug Information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Image | 200 | ||
| Identifiers
|
Chemical Data
| ||
Acetarsone is an organoarsenic compound that has been used in the treatment of certain parasitic infections. It is a derivative of arsenic, a well-known element with both toxic and therapeutic properties. Acetarsone has been primarily used in the treatment of amoebiasis and schistosomiasis.
Chemical Properties[edit | edit source]
Acetarsone is chemically known as 4-acetamidophenyl arsonic acid. It is an organoarsenic compound, meaning it contains arsenic bonded to carbon. The molecular formula of acetarsone is C₈H₁₀AsNO₄, and it has a molar mass of 263.1 g/mol.
Mechanism of Action[edit | edit source]
The exact mechanism of action of acetarsone is not fully understood. However, it is believed to exert its effects by interfering with the metabolism of the parasites. Arsenic compounds are known to inhibit the activity of certain enzymes, which can disrupt the energy production and other vital processes in the parasites, leading to their death.
Medical Uses[edit | edit source]
Acetarsone has been used in the treatment of:
- Amoebiasis: An infection caused by the protozoan parasite Entamoeba histolytica. Acetarsone was used to treat intestinal amoebiasis, helping to eliminate the parasite from the gastrointestinal tract.
- Schistosomiasis: A disease caused by parasitic worms of the genus Schistosoma. Acetarsone was used as part of the treatment regimen to combat this infection.
Safety and Toxicity[edit | edit source]
As an arsenic-containing compound, acetarsone has potential toxicity. Arsenic is a well-known poison, and its use in medicine requires careful dosing and monitoring. Side effects of acetarsone can include gastrointestinal disturbances, skin reactions, and in severe cases, systemic toxicity.
History[edit | edit source]
Acetarsone was developed in the early 20th century as part of the effort to find effective treatments for parasitic infections. It was one of several arsenic-based compounds used in medicine before the advent of more modern antiparasitic drugs.
Current Status[edit | edit source]
The use of acetarsone has declined significantly with the development of safer and more effective treatments. Modern antiparasitic drugs, such as metronidazole for amoebiasis and praziquantel for schistosomiasis, have largely replaced acetarsone in clinical practice.
Also see[edit | edit source]
Search WikiMD
Ad.Tired of being Overweight? Try W8MD's physician weight loss program.
Semaglutide (Ozempic / Wegovy and Tirzepatide (Mounjaro / Zepbound) available.
Advertise on WikiMD
|
WikiMD's Wellness Encyclopedia |
| Let Food Be Thy Medicine Medicine Thy Food - Hippocrates |
Translate this page: - East Asian
中文,
日本,
한국어,
South Asian
हिन्दी,
தமிழ்,
తెలుగు,
Urdu,
ಕನ್ನಡ,
Southeast Asian
Indonesian,
Vietnamese,
Thai,
မြန်မာဘာသာ,
বাংলা
European
español,
Deutsch,
français,
Greek,
português do Brasil,
polski,
română,
русский,
Nederlands,
norsk,
svenska,
suomi,
Italian
Middle Eastern & African
عربى,
Turkish,
Persian,
Hebrew,
Afrikaans,
isiZulu,
Kiswahili,
Other
Bulgarian,
Hungarian,
Czech,
Swedish,
മലയാളം,
मराठी,
ਪੰਜਾਬੀ,
ગુજરાતી,
Portuguese,
Ukrainian
Medical Disclaimer: WikiMD is not a substitute for professional medical advice. The information on WikiMD is provided as an information resource only, may be incorrect, outdated or misleading, and is not to be used or relied on for any diagnostic or treatment purposes. Please consult your health care provider before making any healthcare decisions or for guidance about a specific medical condition. WikiMD expressly disclaims responsibility, and shall have no liability, for any damages, loss, injury, or liability whatsoever suffered as a result of your reliance on the information contained in this site. By visiting this site you agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, which may from time to time be changed or supplemented by WikiMD. If you do not agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, you should not enter or use this site. See full disclaimer.
Credits:Most images are courtesy of Wikimedia commons, and templates Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY SA or similar.
Contributors: Prab R. Tumpati, MD
