Antihelmintic Drugs

Drug Action Therapeutic Uses Pharmacokinetics Adverse Effects Other

Mebendazole -Binds to and interferes with -Whipworm (Trichuris trichiura) -Oral dose is hardly -Abdominal pain -Contraindicated in
assembly of parasites’ -Pinworm (Enterobius absorbed, unless taken -Diarrhea pregnancy
microtubules vermicularis) with a high-fat meal
-Decreases glucose uptake -Hookworm (Necator americanus -Undergoes 1st pass
-Parasites expelled with feces and Ancylostoma duodenale) metabolism
-Roundworms (Ascariasis
lumbricoides)
Pyrantel Pamoate -Exerts effect in intestinal tract -Roundworms -Poorly absorbed orally -Nausea
-Depolarizing, neuromuscular- -Pinworms -Vomiting
blocking agent  Persistent -Hookworms -Diarrhea
activation of parasite’s nicotinic
receptors  Paralysis of worm
Thiabendazole -Affects microtubular -Strongyloidiasis (Strongyloides -Readily absorbed on oral -Dizziness -Contraindicated in
aggregation stercoralis) –Threadworm administration -Anorexia pregnancy
-Cutaneous larva migrans -Excreted in urine -Nausea
-Early stages of trichinosis -Vomiting
(Thichinella spiralis) -Erythema multiforme
-Stevens-Johnson
syndrome
Ivermectin -Targets parasite’s glutamate- -DOC: Onchocerciasis (river -Given orally -Mazotti-like reaction: -Contraindicated in
gated Cl- channel receptors  blindness) by Onchocerca fever, headache, meningitis, pregnancy
Cl- influx  Hyperpolarization volvulus dizziness, somnolence,
 Paralysis of worm -DOC: cutaneous larva migrans hypotension
-Strongyloides
Diethylcarbamazine -Immobilize microfilariae and -Filariasis (Wucheria boncrofti, -Orally administered with -Fever -Urine alkalosis or
render them susceptible to the Brugia malayi) w/ ALBENDAZOLE meals for rapid -Malaise renal impairment
host defence mechanism absorption -Rash require dosage
-Excreted in urine -Myalgia reduction
-Arthalgia -Antihistamines or
-Headache steroids can be given
-Leukocytosis for many of the side
effects
Praziquantel -Increases permeability of cell -DOC: all schistosomiasis -Rapidly absorbed after -Drowsiness -Not recommended

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 Antihelmintic Drugs

membrane to Ca2+  -Paragonimiasis oral administration -Dizziness for nursing or

Contracture and paralysis of -Clonorchiasis -High levels found in bile -Malaise pregnant mothers
parasite -Cysticercosis (cestode infection) -Short ½ life -Anorexia -Contraindicated for
-Excreted in urine and -GI upset treatment of ocular
bile cysticercosis
Niclosamide -Inhibits parasite’s mitochondrial -DOC: for most cestode -Laxative should be
phosphorylation of adenosine (tapeworm) infections given prior to
diphosphate  Loss of energy administration to
source purge bowel of dead
-Anaerobic metabolism may also segments
be inhibited -Alcohol should be
avoided w/in 1 day of
drug
Albendazole -Inhibits microtubule synthesis -Treatment of cestodal infections -Increased absorption -Short therapy: -Shouldn’t be given in
-Inhibits glucose uptake in -Cysticercosis (Taenia solium with high-fat meal headache, nausea pregnancy or to
nematodes larvae) -Extensive 1st pass -Long therapy: children under 2
-Hyatid disease (Echinococcus metabolism hepatotoxicity , years of age
granulosis) -Excreted in urine agranulocytosis,
-For nematodal pancytopenia
infections: 1-3 days -Tx of neurocysticercosis:
-For hyatid disease: 3 headache, vomiting,
months hyperthermia,
convulsions, mental
changes

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