No

Anthelmintic

Treatment of strongyloidiasis, cutaneous larva migrans, visceral larva migrans, dracunculiasis, trichinosis, and mixed helminthic infections

C

Known hypersensitivity to thiabendazole

Use with caution in patients with renal or hepatic impairment, malnutrition or anemia, or dehydration

>10%:

Central nervous system: Seizures, hallucinations, delirium, dizziness, drowsiness, headache

Gastrointestinal: Anorexia, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, drying of mucous membranes

Neuromuscular & skeletal: Numbness

Otic: Tinnitus

1% to 10%: Dermatologic: Rash, Stevens-Johnson syndrome

<1%: Chills, malodor of urine, leukopenia, hepatotoxicity, blurred or yellow vision, nephrotoxicity, lymphadenopathy, hypersensitivity reactions

Symptoms of overdose include altered mental status, visual problems

Supportive care only following GI decontamination

Increased levels of theophylline and other xanthines

Inhibits helminth-specific mitochondrial fumarate reductase

Absorption: Rapid and well from GI tract

Metabolism: Rapid

Half-life: 1.2 hours

Elimination: Excreted in feces (5%) and urine (87%), primarily as conjugated metabolites

Purgation is not required prior to use; drinking of fruit juice aids in expulsion of worms by removing the mucous to which the intestinal tapeworms attach themselves.

Strongyloidiasis, ascariasis, uncinariasis, trichuriasis: For 2 consecutive days

Cutaneous larva migrans: For 2-5 consecutive days

Visceral larva migrans: For 5-7 consecutive days

Trichinosis: For 2-4 consecutive days

Dracunculosis: 50-75 mg/kg/day divided every 12 hours for 3 days

Dosing comments in renal/hepatic impairment: Use with caution

May cause drowsiness, dizziness, hallucinations, or delirium

May rarely cause leukopenia; use caution with clozapine and carbamazepine

No information available to require special precautions

No effects or complications reported

Take exactly as directed for full course of medication. Tablets may be chewed, swallowed whole, or crushed and mixed with food. Increase dietary intake of fruit juices. All family members and close friends should also be treated. To reduce possibility of reinfection, wash hands and scrub nails carefully with soap and hot water before handling food, before eating, and before and after toileting. Keep hands out of mouth. Disinfect toilet daily and launder bed lines, undergarments, and nightclothes daily with hot water and soap. Do not go barefoot and do not sit directly on grass or ground. May cause dizziness, fainting, lightheadedness (use caution when driving or engaging in tasks requiring alertness until response to drug is known); abdominal pain, nausea, dry mouth, or vomiting (frequent small meals, frequent mouth care, sucking lozenges, or chewing gum may help). Report skin rash or itching, unresolved diarrhea or vomiting, CNS changes (hallucinations, delirium, acute headache), change in color of urine or stool, or easy bruising or unusual bleeding. Pregnancy/breast-feeding precautions: Inform prescriber if you are pregnant. Consult prescriber if breast-feeding.

Purgation is not required prior to use

Monitor periodic renal and hepatic function tests

Suspension, oral: 500 mg/5 mL (120 mL)

Tablet, chewable (orange flavor): 500 mg

"Drugs for Parasitic Infections," Med Lett Drugs Ther, 1993, 35(911):111-22.

Walden J, "Parasitic Diseases. Other Roundworms. Trichuris, Hookworm, and Strongyloides," Prim Care, 1991, 18(1):53-74.

Zygmunt DJ, " Strongyloides stercoralis," Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol, 1990, 11(9):495-7.