Gulucatime versus Glucantime: A Serious Warning on Counterfeit Medicines

Abstract

Cutaneous leishmaniasis is caused by a flagellated parasite and transmitted through a bite by bloodsucking sand-flies.[1] Cutaneous leishmaniasis is characterized by ulcerative skin lesions. This is an endemic disease in the Middle East, especially Iran, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Indian, and Nepal.[2] Since the 1940s, pentavalent antimony compounds have been considered as the first line of treatment for all forms of leishmaniasis. Meglumine antimoniate and sodium stibogluconate are the well-known pentavalent antimony agents.[3] Glucantime (Sanofi Aventis, France) is a brand product of meglumine antimoniate, which is supplied in 5 mL colorless ampules with concentration 300 mg/mL. Every five ampules are packed in a box, and there are not any visible particles in Glucantime ampules