Levamisole
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.
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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
- Mixed Ascariasis-Hookworm infections
- Ancylostomiasis
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Concerns
Commonly asked questions
- Onset of actionThe peak effect of this medicine can be observed within 2 hours of administration of the dose.
- Duration of effectThe 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
How it works
This medicine paralyzes the muscles of the worms and reduces their ability to reproduce.
Legal Status
Classification
Category
Anthelmintics
Schedule
Schedule H
Levamisole [Internet]. Pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov. 2018 [cited 2 August 2018]. Available from:
Levamisole - DrugBank [Internet]. Drugbank.ca. 2018 [cited 2 August 2018]. Available from:
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:
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.