Anti-Helminth Drugs

Snapshot

  • A 45-year-old man presents to the urgent care clinic with a skin rash, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, and cough. He has a medical history notable for diabetes mellitus and hypertension. He recently visited his family’s farm in the countryside and walked around without shoes. He is asked to give a stool sample, and analysis of the sample showed rhabditiform larvae on microscopy but no eggs. He is started on an anti-helminthic medication. (Strongyloides infection)

Introduction

  • Drugs
    • pyrantel pamoate
    • ivermectin
    • mebendazole
    • praziquantel
    • diethylcarbamazine
    • niridazole
  • Clinical use
    • helminths
      • cestodes (tapeworms) 
      • trematodes (flukes) 
      • nematodes (roundworms)