ANTIPARASITIC DRUGS

Classification Generic Name Brand Name Mechanism of Side Effects Contraindication

Action

Inhibits Hypersensitivity Hypersensitivity.

microtubule reactions e.g. rash, Pregnancy.
formation by pruritus, urticaria;
binding to bone marrow
colchicine suppression,
sensitive site of β- granulocytopenia,
Benzimidazoles Albendazole Denzol tubulin resulting pancytopenia,
to decrease in aplastic anaemia,
microtubules agranulocytosis.
leading to decline
in glucose uptake
and absorptive
function and
depletion of
glycogen storage
by adult and
larval forms of
parasites.

Inhibits cellular Reversible liver Hypersensitivity.

tubulin formation function Pregnancy.
in the helminth disturbances, Concomitant use
and causes hepatitis, with
ultrastructural neutropenia, metronidazole.
degenerative agranulocytosis.
Benzimidazoles Mebendazole Quemox changes in its
intestine. This
results in
blockage of
glucose uptake
and disruption of
digestive and
reproductive
functions leading
to immobilisation,
inhibition of egg
production and
death of the
helminth.

It provides its Nausea, vomiting, Hypersensitivity.

anthelmintic abdominal pain or
effect by releasing cramps,
Tetrahydro- Pyrantel Nemex acetylcholine and diarrhoea. Transie
inhibiting nt increase in liver
Pyrimidine Pamoate cholinesterase, enzymes,
Derivatives thereby particularly AST.
stimulating the
ganglionic
(nicotinic)
receptors of
 susceptible
helminths.

It opens Headache, Hypersensitivity.

nonselective abdominal pain,
cation channels diarrhoea
Tetrahydro- Oxantel Alfanil and induces
activation of
Pyrimidine Pamoate nicotinic
Derivatives acetylcholine
receptors, which
results in spastic
paralysis of the
worms.

It blocks the Blurred vision, History of

effect of nystagmus, epilepsy. Severe
acetylcholine at cataracts renal impairment.
the neuromuscular (rare).Nausea,vom Hepatic
junction which iting, diarrhoea, impairment.
causes flaccid abdominal pain. Pregnancy.
Anthelmintics Piperazine Citrate Piprazil paralysis to
roundworms,
which are then
dislodged by the
movement of the
gut and expelled
in the faeces. Its
mode of action
against
threadworm is not
fully elucidated.

Binding to 1 or Nausea, vomiting, Preexisting blood

more of the diarrhoea, disorders;
Anthelmintics Levamisole
penicillin-binding abdominal pain, pregnancy and
proteins resulting dizziness and lactation;
in the inhibition headache. rheumatoid
of the final arthritis; severe
transpeptidation renal impairment.
step of
peptidoglycan
synthesis in the
bacterial cell
walls.

It is involve Fever, headache, Pregnancy,

sensitizing the vomiting, hypersensitivity;
microfilariae to dizziness, lactation; infants,
phagocytosis. It is drowsiness, elderly or
active against the nausea, chills. debilitated
microfilariae and patients; impaired
Anthelmintics Diethylcarba- Hetrazan adult worms of renal function;
W. bancrofti, B. cardiac disease.
mazine malayi, B. timori
and Loa loa but
Citrate
only against the
microfilariae of
O. volvulus. It is
 also used in
treatment of
toxocariasis.

It increases the Headache, Ocular

cell permeability dizziness, malaise, cysticercosis.
to Ca in abdominal Concomitant
schistosomes, discomfort, admin of strong
causing strong anorexia, CYP inducers
contractions and (e.g. rifampicin).
Anthelmintics Praziquantel Cesol paralysis of worm Lactation.
musculature
leading to
detachment of
suckers from the
blood vessel walls
and to
dislodgement.

It inhibits GI disturbances, Hypersensitivity.

oxidative lightheadedness,
phosphorylation pruritus.
Anthelmintics Niclosamide Niclosan in mitochondria of
the worms
resulting in
energy depletion.

The mechanism of GI disturbances, Hypersensitivity.

action is not headache,
known. It seems dizziness,
likely that it is myalgia,
concentrated in hematologic and
Anthelmintics Niridazole Ambilhar the parasite neuropsychiatric
organism, which effects.
causes inhibition
of phosphorylase
activation, which
is expressed in the
depletion of
glycogen reserves.
 AMOEBICIDAL DRUGS
Classification Generic Name Brand Name Mechanism of Side Effects Contraindication
Action

Forms a complex Dose-related Pregnancy,

with DNA that nausea, vomiting, psoriasis,
results in diarrhea, pruritus, porphyria
Tissue Chloroquine Aralen preventing the headache,
Amoebicides Palmitate replication and retinopathy
transcription to
mRNA

Blockage of Muscle ache, Cardiac, renal or

protein synthesis tenderness, neuromuscular
in eukaryotic (but stiffness and disease. Avoid
Tissue Emetine Cepha not in weakness at the use in pregnancy.
Amoebicides Hydrocloride prokaryotic) cells. Inj site; necrosis
It inhibits the and abscess
process of formation.
polypeptide chain Diarrhoea, nausea
formation. and vomiting;

Unknonwn, Flatulence, Hypersensitivity.

directly nausea and
amoecidal vomiting,
Luminal Diloxanide- Entamizole abdominal
Amoebicides cramps, pruritus,
furoate tingling sensation.

Acting principally Flatulence, Pregnancy and

on the bowel vomiting, lactation.
Luminal Etofamide Kitnos
lumen with urticaria, pruritis.
Amoebicides
actions and uses
similar to
diloxanide
furoate.

Interacts with the Hypersensitivity

microbial DNA to to metronidazole,
break its strand pregnancy (first
Tissue and and helical Nausea, vomiting, trimester),
Luminal structure leading abdominal pain, breastfeeding.
Metronidazole Flagyl to inhibition of metallic taste.
Amoebicides
protein synthesis,
(Nitroimidazoles) degradation, and
cell death.

It damages DNA Transient 1st trimester of

strands or inhibits leucopenia, pregnancy and
Tissue and
DNA synthesis in ataxia,
 Luminal microorganism. convulsions, lactation.
Amoebicides dizziness,
Tinidazole Tindol
headache,
(Nitroimidazoles)
hypesthesia,

Its mechanism of Vulvovaginal Hypersensitivity

action is not fully candidiasis. to secnidazole or
elucidated, but it other
is believed to be nitroimidazole
activated derivatives.
Tissue and Secnidazole Solosec following its Lactation.
Luminal entry as inactive
Amoebicides prodrug into the
microorganisms,
(Nitroimidazoles) where it is
reduced by low
oxidation-
reduction
potential
ferredoxin, thus
resulting in DNA
damage.