Comparison of efficacy of intravenous versus intramuscular injection meglumine antimoniate in patients of cutaneous leishmaniasis

Objective: To compare the efficacy of intravenous versus intramuscular meglumine antimoniate in the treatment of cutaneous leishmaniasis. Methodology: This randomized controlled trial was carried out in Dermatology Department of Tertiary Care Hospital, Quetta, from April to October 2024. Patients with biopsy proven cutaneous leishmaniasis were randomized into intravenous and intramuscular groups. The intravenous group received 15mg/kg/day of meglumine antimoniate diluted in 100 ml of 5% glucose solution over 60 minutes, while the intramuscular group received a similar dose into gluteal muscles. All patients were observed for treatment response at 15, 30, 45 and 60 days of treatment unless cured. Results: Ninety patients were divided into two groups of 45 each. Participants mean age was 30.10±5.75 years. The mean number of lesions were 4.28±3.67. The mean number of injections was 36.91±8.296. Intravenous group patients demonstrated early recovery with mean number of injections 28.78±2.57 in comparison to that in intramuscular group 39.56±2.80, this difference in efficacy was statistically significant (p<0.001). Pain at the injection site was significantly lower in the intravenous group compared to the intramuscular group (p<0.05). Conclusion: Intravenous administration of injection meglumine antimoniate is superior to Intramuscular in terms of enhanced efficacy and improved patient outcome. There were statistically insignificant side effects between two groups except for pain at injection site which was more with intramuscular route.