Nifurtimox is a synthetic nitrofuran antiprotozoal active pharmaceutical ingredient (API). It is primarily used in the treatment of Chagas disease caused by Trypanosoma cruzi. Nifurtimox is chemically characterized as a nitrofuran derivative containing a thiomorpholine 1,1-dioxide moiety. PubChem identifies Nifurtimox with CAS 23256-30-6, molecular formula C₁₀H₁₃N₃O₅S, and molecular weight 287.29 g/mol.
Nifurtimox is an established antiparasitic pharmaceutical API used in the development and manufacture of formulations for Chagas disease treatment and in pharmaceutical research involving Trypanosoma cruzi.
Nifurtimox is recognized by the FDA as an antiprotozoal medicine for the treatment of Chagas disease in pediatric patients, and it is included in WHO-related essential-medicine information for Chagas disease treatment.
CAS Number: 23256-30-6
Molecular Formula: C₁₀H₁₃N₃O₅S
Molecular Weight: 287.29 g/mol
Chemical Name: 3-Methyl-4-[(5-nitro-2-furyl)methyleneamino]thiomorpholine 1,1-dioxide
IUPAC Name: (E)-N-(3-methyl-1,1-dioxo-1,4-thiazinan-4-yl)-1-(5-nitrofuran-2-yl)methanimine
Drug Class: Nitrofuran Antiprotozoal
Therapeutic Class: Antiprotozoal
Therapeutic Area: Infectious Diseases / Parasitic Diseases
Molecule Type: Synthetic Small Molecule
ATC Code: P01CC01
PubChem and the FDA GSRS database support the chemical identity, CAS number, molecular formula and molecular weight.
Nifurtimox is a nitrofuran derivative whose antiparasitic activity is associated with reduction of its nitro group and formation of reactive intermediates within susceptible organisms.
Its activity involves:
The exact molecular mechanisms responsible for all of Nifurtimox's antiparasitic effects continue to be studied.
Nifurtimox API is relevant to:
Nifurtimox is primarily associated with treatment of Chagas disease (American trypanosomiasis) caused by Trypanosoma cruzi. PubChem identifies it as an FDA-approved antiprotozoal medicine for specified pediatric patients.
Nifurtimox belongs to the nitrofuran class of antimicrobial and antiprotozoal compounds.
Its nitrofuranyl group is important to its biological activity because enzymatic reduction can generate reactive intermediates capable of producing cellular damage in susceptible parasites.
Nifurtimox is a synthetic crystalline small molecule with a molecular weight of 287.29 g/mol and molecular formula C₁₀H₁₃N₃O₅S.
For CMS appearance and physical-property specifications, the exact material should be matched against the applicable pharmacopoeial or validated manufacturer specification rather than using an unverified generic description.
Nifurtimox has limited aqueous solubility. Because published values can vary according to experimental conditions, temperature and solid form, the commercial API CMS should use the applicable validated solubility description rather than treating a single research value as a release specification.
A controlled Nifurtimox API manufacturing process may involve:
Typical Nifurtimox API testing may include:
Store Nifurtimox API in a tightly closed container under controlled pharmaceutical storage conditions, protected from excessive moisture, heat and direct light.
Commercial storage conditions should be established according to validated stability data and the applicable approved API specification.
| Parameter | Specification |
|---|---|
| Appearance | White crystalline powder or crystals |
| Identification | IR & HPLC compliant |
| Assay (HPLC) | 98.0% – 102.0% |
| Loss on Drying | NMT 1.0% |
| Residue on Ignition | NMT 0.5% |
| Individual Impurity | NMT 0.5% |
| Total Impurities | NMT 2.0% |
| Water Content | NMT 1.0% |
| Melting Point | Approximately 124–126°C |