Melarsoprol

Melarsoprol (INN) is a medicinal drug used in the treatment of Human African trypanosomiasis. It is also sold under the trade names “Mel B” and “Melarsen Oxide-BAL.”

Melarsoprol is also used in the treatment of Chagas disease, a New World trypanosomiasis discovered by the Brazilian doctor Carlos Chagas in 1909.

Side effects
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.

It is known to cause a range of side effects including convulsions, fever, loss of consciousness, rashes, bloody stools, nausea, and vomiting. It is fatal in and of itself in a significant fraction of cases.

Alternatives
Eflornithine is a more modern and far less dangerous treatment for sleeping sickness, but is expensive, not widely available on the market, and most of its supply comes from donations from its manufacturer.