DIETHYLCARBAMAZINE

Description: Diethylcarbamazine is used in the treatment of worm infections, such as lymphatic filariasis. It is active against the microfilariae and adult worms of W. bancrofti, B. malayi, B. timori and Loa loa but only against the microfilariae of O. volvulus. It is also used in treatment of toxocariasis.
Pharmacokinetics:
Absorption: Readily absorbed from the GI tract (oral); skin (topical); conjunctiva (optical).
Distribution: Widely distributed in tissues.
Excretion: Urine (as unchanged drug and N-oxide metabolite).

Uses

Diethylcarbamazine is used in the treatment of certain worm infections. This medicine works by killing the worms. It is used to treat:

Bancroft’s filariasis;
Eosinophilic lung (tropical pulmonary eosinophilia; tropical eosinophilia);
Loiasis; and
River blindness (onchocerciasis).

It will not work for other kinds of worm infections (for example, pinworms or tapeworms).

Diethylcarbamazine is available only with your doctor’s prescription, and only from the manufacturer.

How to use diethylcarbamazine:

For oral dosage form (tablets):

For Bancroft’s filariasis, loiasis, and river blindness:

Adults—Dose is based on body weight and must be determined by your doctor. The usual dose is 2 to 3 milligrams (mg) per kilogram (kg) (0.9 to 1.3 mg per pound) of body weight three times a day.

Children—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.

For eosinophilic lung:

Adults—Dose is based on body weight and must be determined by your doctor. The usual dose is 6 mg per kg (2.7 mg per pound) of body weight a day. This is taken for four to seven days.

Children—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.

Warnings

Not available.

Side Effects

More common:

itching and swelling of the face, especially the eye

Less common:

fever
painful and tender glands in the neck, armpits, or groin
skin rash

Check with your doctor as soon as possible if any of the following side effects occur:

loss of vision
night blindness
tunnel vision

Some side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention:

headache
joint pain
unusual tiredness or weakness

Less common:

dizziness
nausea or vomiting

Precautions

Precautions:

Allergy: Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to diethylcarbamazine or any other medicines. Also tell your health care professional if you have any other types of allergies, such as to foods, dyes, preservatives, or animals. For non-prescription products, read the label or package ingredients carefully.
Although there is no specific information comparing use of diethylcarbamazine in children with use in other age groups, diethylcarbamazine is not expected to cause different side effects or problems in children than it does in adults.
Many medicines have not been studied specifically in older people. Therefore, it may not be known whether they work exactly the same way they do in younger adults or if they cause different side effects or problems in older people. There is no specific information comparing use of diethylcarbamazine in the elderly with use in other age groups.

Interactions:

Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. Tell your healthcare professional if you are taking any other prescription or nonprescription (over-the-counter [OTC]) medicine.

Overdose & Brands

Overdose:

The dose of diethylcarbamazine will be different for different patients. Follow your doctor’s orders or the directions on the label. The following information includes only the average doses of diethylcarbamazine. If your dose is different, do not change it unless your doctor tells you to do so.The amount of medicine that you take depends on the strength of the medicine. Also, the number of doses you take each day, the time allowed between doses, and the length of time you take the medicine depend on the medical problem for which you are using the medicine.

Missed Dose

If you miss a dose of diethylcarbamazine, take it as soon as possible. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not double doses.

Storage

Store the medicine in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light. Keep from freezing.

Keep out of the reach of children.

Do not keep outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed.

Brands:

Available Brands

Filarizide [ Blue Sky ]