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
PharmaIdea Publications ©
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
PharmaIdea Publications ©
