What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking miltefosine?
You should not use miltefosine if you are allergic to it, or if you have:
- a rare genetic skin and nerve disorder called Sjogren-Larsson syndrome; or
- if you are pregnant.
To make sure miltefosine is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have:
In animal studies, miltefosine caused birth defects and death of unborn offspring, and also affected fertility in male and female adults. It is not known whether these effects would occur in people using miltefosine. Ask your doctor about your risk.
FDA pregnancy category D. You should not use miltefosine if you are pregnant. You may need to have a negative pregnancy test before starting this treatment. Use effective birth control while you are taking miltefosine and for at least 5 months after your treatment ends.
Vomiting or diarrhea caused by miltefosine can make birth control pills less effective. Ask your doctor about using non hormonal birth control (condom, diaphragm with spermicide) to prevent pregnancy if you have vomiting and/or diarrhea while taking miltefosine.
If you become pregnant, your name may be listed on a pregnancy registry. This is to track the outcome of the pregnancy and to evaluate any effects of miltefosine on the baby.
It is not known whether miltefosine passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. You should not breast-feed while using this medicine, and for at least 5 months after your treatment ends.
Miltefosine should not be given to a child younger than 12 years old.