Melarsoprol

Melarsoprol (INN) is a medicinal drug used in the treatment of trypanosomiasis, such as Chagas disease and West African sleeping sickness, the former caused by Trypanosoma cruzi and the latter by Trypanosoma brucei gambiense. It is also sold under the trade names “Mel B” and “Melarsen Oxide-BAL.”

Being a toxic organic compound of arsenic, melarsoprol is a highly dangerous treatment which is only administered by injection under the supervision of a physician, as it can produce similar effects as arsenic poisoning. Negative side effects caused by Mlarsoprol include convulsions, fever, loss of consciousness, rashes, bloody stools, nausea, and vomiting. It is fatal in and of itself in around 8% of cases.

IUPAC name: (2-(4-(4,6-diamino-1,3,5-triazin-2-ylamino)phenyl)-1,3,2-dithiarsolan-4-yl)methanol
Formula:     C₁₂H₁₅AsN₆OS₂
Mol. mass: 398.341 g/mol
CAS number: 494-79-1