Diethylcarbamazine

Definition

Diethylcarbamazine is an antihelminthic medication used to treat infections caused by certain parasitic worms, including those affecting the skin and eyes. It works by paralyzing and killing microfilariae and adult worms.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Diethylcarbamazine is effective against filarial infections such as those caused by Wuchereria bancrofti and Brugia malayi.
2. It is also used to treat loiasis, an infection with the African eye worm Loa loa.
3. Common side effects include fever, headache, dizziness, nausea, and joint pain.
4. The drug can lead to significant inflammatory reactions due to the death of the parasites in the body.
5. Diethylcarbamazine is often administered in combination with other medications for comprehensive treatment of helminthic infections.

Review Questions

• What types of parasitic infections does diethylcarbamazine primarily treat?
• What are common side effects associated with diethylcarbamazine?
• Why might diethylcarbamazine be combined with other medications in treating helminthic infections?

Related terms

Filarial Infections: Diseases caused by infection with filarial nematodes such as Wuchereria bancrofti.

Loiasis: A parasitic disease caused by the African eye worm Loa loa.

Microfilariae: The larval stage of filarial nematodes that circulate in the blood.