33.1. Drugs used for the treatment of intestinal helminthiasis
The main drugs used to treat intestinal nematodosis - ascariasis - are mebendazole (vermox), pyrantel pamoate, levamisol (decaris).
Being a derivative of imidazole, mebendazole shows a suppressive action against most nematodes (it is especially effective against trichocephalosis, ascariasis and enterobiosis). It inhibits glucose utilisation in helminths and paralyses them. It provides baneful influence on the ova of whipworm, ascarides and ancylostomes. It is poorly absorbed from the gut (10%). Nevertheless, when given in high doses, it may be used in the treatment of extraintestinal helminthiasis -
trichinellosis and echinococcosis. The preparation is rapidly metabolised in the liver. Mainly the kidneys within 24-48 h excrete the metabolites. The drug is well tolerated. Adverse reactions are rare (occasional gastrointestinal distress, headache, allergic skin reaction, abdominal pains, etc.).