Arsphenamine, also known as Salvarsan or compound 606, is an antibiotic drug that was introduced at the beginning of the 1910s as the first effective treatment for the deadly infectious diseases syphilis, relapsing fever, and African trypanosomiasis. It was superseded by penicillin in the 1940s.
Facts
Drug ClassOrganoarsenic antimicrobial (historic) 1 Mechanism of ActionToxic to Treponema pallidum, the bacterium causing syphilis; recent research attributes its antisyphilitic action to an oxidized form released by cyclic species in the compound. 1 Approved UseHistoric first effective treatment for syphilis, relapsing fever and African trypanosomiasis, superseded by penicillin in the 1940s. 1 First Approved / Isolated Year Significant RiskRashes, liver damage, and risks to life and limb; nausea and vomiting were common. 1 Classification
Approval Status ATC ClassSourced to the subject's own accountJ: Antiinfectives for Systemic Use 2 Route of Administration Connections
Discovered By
Source Arsphenamine (Wikipedia)
Treats
Source Arsphenamine (Wikipedia)
Sources
1. Arsphenamine (Wikipedia)
Wikimedia FoundationLead section
superseded in the 1940s by penicillin for treating syphilis
Mechanism of action section
cyclic species in Salvarsan release an oxidized form responsible for its antisyphilis properties
History section
The antisyphilitic activity of this compound was discovered by Sahachiro Hata in 1909, during a survey of hundreds of newly synthesized organic arsenical compounds.
Adverse effects section
rashes, liver damage, and risks of life and limb
- Regulatory approval status
- Route of administration
View the Source 2. Anatomical Therapeutic Chemical Classification System (Wikipedia)
WikipediaFirst-level anatomical group codes, Code JQuote, First-level anatomical group codes, Code J
Antiinfectives for systemic use
Reader Challenges (0)
No disputes yet. Spotted an error or a better source? Open the first one.
Sign in to dispute this or suggest a correction.