ABSTRACT
Miltefosine (hexadecylphosphocholine) is an alkylphosphocholine (APC) lipid analog. It was initially developed as an oral antineoplastic agent but was abandoned owing to dose-limiting gastrointestinal toxicity. It was subsequently found to have useful activity at tolerable dosages against a range of microorganisms, including protozoa and fungi. Clinically, its activity against Leishmania species has received the most attention, as it represented the first effective oral agent for that group of organisms. It was first registered for the treatment of (visceral) leishmaniasis in 2002.
