Levamisole

Indications

Levamisole is used for: Ascariasis, Ancylostomiasis

Adult Dose

Oral Ascariasis Adult: 150 mg as a single dose. Mixed ascariasis-hookworm infections; Ancylostomiasis Adult: 2.5 mg/kg as a single dose, repeated after 7 days in severe cases.

Child Dose

Oral Ascariasis Child: 3 mg/kg as a single dose. Mixed ascariasis-hookworm infections; Ancylostomiasis Child: 2.5 mg/kg as a single dose, repeated after 7 days in severe cases.

Renal Dose

Administration

Should be taken with food. Take w/ meals to minimise side effects eg nausea.

Contra Indications

Preexisting blood disorders; pregnancy and lactation; rheumatoid arthritis; severe renal impairment.

Precautions

Hepatic impairment, Sjogren's syndrome.

Pregnancy-Lactation

Interactions

May increase toxicity of phenytoin. Increases bioavailability of ivermectin; decreases bioavailability of albendazole. Alcohol causes disulfiram-like reaction.

Side Effects

Side effects of Levamisole : Nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, abdominal pain, dizziness and headache. Fever, influenza-like syndrome, arthralgia, muscle pain, rash, taste disturbances and cutaneous vasculitis. Potentially Fatal: Agranulocytosis, leucopenia, thrombocytopenia.

Mode of Action

Levamisole is the active laevo-isomer of tetramisole. It works by paralysing susceptible intestinal worms which are then excreted from the intestines. Levamisole also enhances cellular immune responses in humans.