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Levamisole

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Description

Levamisole is an anti-parasitic agent used for the treatment of roundworm and hookworm infections. This medicine is not recommended for use in patients suffering from severe kidney diseases due to the increased risk of serious adverse effects.

Side effects

Major & minor side effects for Levamisole

Nausea

Abdominal pain

Vomiting

Fatigue

Chest pain

Headache

Dizziness

Rash

Uses of Levamisole

What is it prescribed for?

Ascariasis

This medicine is used to treat ascariasis, an infection of the small intestine caused by Ascaris lumbricoides (giant roundworm).

Mixed Ascariasis-Hookworm infections

This medicine is used to treat the mixed infections caused by Ascaris lumbricoides (giant roundworms) and hookworms.

Ancylostomiasis

This medicine is used to treat intestinal infections caused by hookworms.
Concerns

Commonly asked questions

  • Onset of action

    The peak effect of this medicine can be observed within 2 hours of administration of the dose.
  • Duration of effect

    The amount of time for which this medicine remains active in the body is not clinically established.
  • Safe with alcohol?

    Consumption of alcohol is not recommended while receiving this medicine since it may increase the risk of adverse effects such as severe headaches, nausea, vomiting, dizziness, etc.
  • Is it habit forming?

    No habit-forming tendencies were reported.
  • Usage in pregnancy?

    This medicine is not recommended for use in pregnant women unless absolutely necessary. All the risks and benefits should be discussed with the doctor before taking this medicine. Your doctor may prescribe a suitable alternative based on your clinical condition.
  • Usage while breast-feeding?

    This medicine is not recommended for use in breastfeeding women unless absolutely necessary. All the risks and benefits should be discussed with the doctor before taking this medicine. Your doctor may prescribe a suitable alternative based on your clinical condition.

Allergy

This medicine is not recommended for use in patients with a known allergy to levamisole or any other inactive ingredients present along with it.

Severe renal impairment

This medicine is not recommended for use in patients suffering from severe kidney diseases due to the increased risk of serious adverse effects.

Warnings for special population

Pregnancy

This medicine is not recommended for use in pregnant women unless absolutely necessary. All the risks and benefits should be discussed with the doctor before taking this medicine. Your doctor may prescribe a suitable alternative based on your clinical condition.

Breast-feeding

This medicine is not recommended for use in breastfeeding women unless absolutely necessary. All the risks and benefits should be discussed with the doctor before taking this medicine. Your doctor may prescribe a suitable alternative based on your clinical condition.

General warnings

Driving or Operating machinery

Use of this medicine may cause symptoms such as dizziness, sleepiness, etc. in some patients. It is advised that you do not perform any activities such as driving a vehicle or operating machinery if you experience any of these symptoms during treatment with this medicine.

Hepatic impairment

This medicine should be used with caution in patients with a history of liver diseases due to the increased risk of severe adverse effects. Regular monitoring of liver function tests, appropriate dose adjustments, or replacement with a suitable alternative may be required in some cases based on the clinical condition of the patient.

Renal impairment

This medicine should be used with caution in patients with a history of kidney diseases due to the increased risk of severe adverse effects. Regular monitoring of kidney function tests, appropriate dose adjustments, or replacement with a suitable alternative may be required in some cases based on the clinical condition of the patient.

Missed Dose

This medicine is usually administered/taken as a single dose.

Overdose

Seek emergency medical treatment or contact the doctor in case of an overdose.
All drugs interact differently for person to person. You should check all the possible interactions with your doctor before starting any medicine.

Interaction with Alcohol

Description

N/A

Instructions

Consumption of alcohol is not recommended while receiving this medicine since it may increase the risk of adverse effects such as severe headaches, nausea, vomiting, dizziness, etc.

Interaction with Medicine

Anticoagulants

Phenytoin

Disease interactions

Disease

Information not available.

Food interactions

Information not available.

Lab interactions

Information not available.
Take/Administer this medicine with or without food, as advised by your doctor. Do not take/consume in larger amounts than advised/prescribed. Consult the doctor if you experience any undesirable side effects. Report all your current medicines including any herbs and supplements as well as all your medical conditions to the doctor before taking this medicine.

Miscelleneous

Can be taken with or without food, as advised by your doctor

To be taken as instructed by doctor

May cause sleepiness

How it works

This medicine paralyzes the muscles of the worms and reduces their ability to reproduce.

Legal Status

Approved

Unknown

Unknown

Unknown

Classification

Category

Anthelmintics

Schedule

Schedule H

Levamisole [Internet]. Pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov. 2018 [cited 2 August 2018]. Available from:

https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/compound/levamisole

Levamisole - DrugBank [Internet]. Drugbank.ca. 2018 [cited 2 August 2018]. Available from:

https://www.drugbank.ca/drugs/DB00848

WHO Model Prescribing Information: Drugs Used in Parasitic Diseases - Second Edition: Helminths: Intestinal nematode infection: Levamisole [Internet]. Apps.who.int. 2018 [cited 2 August 2018]. Available from:

http://apps.who.int/medicinedocs/en/d/Jh2922e/3.2.2.html#Jh2922e.3.2.2
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Information on this page was last updated on 22 Aug 2018

Disclaimer

We’ve made all possible efforts to ensure that the information provided here is accurate, up-to-date and complete, however, it should not be treated as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Practo only provides reference source for common information on medicines and does not guarantee its accuracy or exhaustiveness. The absence of a warning for any drug or combination thereof, should not be assumed to indicate that the drug or combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for any given patient. Practo does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information provided above. If you have any doubts about your medication then we strongly recommend that you consult with your doctor, nurse or healthcare provider. See detailed T&C here.