Suramin is a medication primarily used to treat certain parasitic infections, particularly African sleeping sickness caused by the Trypanosoma parasite. It works by inhibiting the parasite's ability to metabolize essential nutrients, ultimately leading to its death. Suramin is administered through injection and is typically used in more severe cases of infection. In addition to its use in treating parasitic diseases, suramin has been studied for potential applications in other conditions, including autism and cancer. However, its effectiveness for these uses is still under investigation, and it is not widely approved for these purposes.