Diethylcarbamazine Citrate

Indications

Diethylcarbamazine Citrate is used for: Filariasis, Lymphatic filariasis, Pulmonary eosinophilia, Loiasis, Toxocariasis

Adult Dose

W. Bancrofti, B Malayi Day 1: 50 mg PO PC Day 2: 50 mg TID Day 3: 100 mg TID Day 4-14: 6 mg/kg/day divided TID Loa Loa Day 1: 50 mg PO PC Day 2: 50 mg TID Day 3: 100 mg TID Day 4-21: 9 mg/kg/day divided TID M. Streptocerca 6 mg/kg PO qDay x14 days Pulmonary Eosinophilia, Tropical Pulmonary eosinophilia, tropical: 6 mg/kg/day divided TID x14 days Larva Migrans, Visceral 6 mg/kg/day divided TID x7-10 days

Child Dose

W. Bancrofti, B Malayi Day 1: 1 mg/kg PO PC Day 2: 1 mg/kg PO TID Day 3: 1-2 mg/kg PO TID Day 4-14: 6 mg/kg/day divided TID Loa Loa Day 1: 1 mg/kg PO PC Day 2: 1 mg/kg PO TID Day 3: 1-2 mg/kg PO TID Day 4-21: 9 mg/kg/day divided TID Pulmonary Eosinophilia, Tropical Pulmonary eosinophilia, tropical: 6 mg/kg/day divided TID x14 days Larva Migrans, Visceral 6 mg/kg/day divided TID x7-10 days

Renal Dose

Administration

Contra Indications

Pregnancy, hypersensitivity; lactation; infants, elderly or debilitated patients; impaired renal function; cardiac disease.

Precautions

Patients with poor health. Lactation: not known if excreted in breast milk

Pregnancy-Lactation

Pregnancy Category: X Lactation: not known if excreted in breast milk

Interactions

Adverse Effects

Side effects of Diethylcarbamazine Citrate : Fever, headache, vomiting, dizziness, drowsiness, nausea, chills. Potentially Fatal: Severe hypersensitivity reactions may occur especially in the treatment of onchocerciasis where rare Mazzotti reaction characterised by rash, itching, headache, muscle and joint pains, tachycardia, postural hypotension may start within 2 hr of drug administration. Encephalitis and retinal haemorrhage.

Mechanism of Action

Diethylcarbamazine is an anthelmintic that is used in the treatment of lymphatic filariasis. It is active against the microfilariae and adult worms of W. bancrofti, B. malayi, B. timori and Loa loa but only against the microfilariae of O. volvulus. It is also used in treatment of toxocariasis. Repeated courses may be necessary.