About LEVAMISOL
LEVAMISOL belongs to the class of medications called ‘antihelmintic’ used to treat parasitic worm infections. Parasitic worm infections are intestinal worm infections that are caused by the ingestion of contaminated food and water. LEVAMISOL can be used to treat infections caused by roundworms, hookworms, threadworm, whipworms, pinworms, flukes, and other parasites.
LEVAMISOL contains 'Levamisole' which works by keeping the worm from taking glucose and depleting its energy levels leading to its immobilization. LEVAMISOL can kill the parasites by acting on the nervous system. It starves the worms by inducing paralysis, consequently leading them to death.
Take LEVAMISOL as prescribed by your doctor. The common side effects of LEVAMISOL are stomach pain, nausea, vomiting, headache, dizziness, loss of appetite, vision problems, confusion, weakness, stomach pain, and sense changes. Inform your doctor if any of these side effects persist or get worsen.
Before starting LEVAMISOL inform your doctor if you are allergic to LEVAMISOL or any other medications. Inform your doctor if you are taking any prescription or nonprescription medications, herbal or dietary supplements. Tell your doctor if you are taking sedatives, anti-anxiety, or anti-epileptic drugs. Tell your doctor if you have a medical history of meningitis, human African trypanosomiasis, African sleeping sickness (an infection caused by the bite of a tsetse fly in African countries), or illness that weakens the immune system such as HIV or AIDS. Also, inform your doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.
Uses of LEVAMISOL
Parasitic worm infections
Medicinal Benefits
LEVAMISOL is a broad-spectrum antibiotic used in the treatment of parasitic infections. It can kill the disease-causing worms and stop the spread of infection effectively. It also interrupts the absorption of glucose by the worm leading to energy depletion. All of this action causes paralysis in the worms, consequently leading them to death.
Directions for Use
Storage
Side Effects of LEVAMISOL
- Stomach pain
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Headache
- Dizziness
- Vision problems
- Confusion
- Weakness
- Difficulty walking
In-Depth Precautions and Warning
Drug Warnings
LEVAMISOL may cause suppression of the bone marrow and cause anemia. Inform your doctor if you have/had liver disease; if you have any surgery, including dental surgery. Consult your doctor immediately if you experience seizures, extreme tiredness, behavior changes, blurred vision, trouble walking, or neck pain while taking LEVAMISOL. Consult your doctor if you notice unusual bleeding or bruising as you may bleed or bruise easily while taking LEVAMISOL. It may cause orthostatic hypotension (dizziness upon rising quickly), so avoid standing up too quickly from a sitting or lying position.
Drug Interactions
Drug-Drug Interactions: LEVAMISOL may interact with sedatives (phenobarbital and butalbital), anti-anxiety drugs (clonazepam, clozapine, and lorazepam), narcotics (sodium oxybate), a medication used to treat epilepsy (valproic acid), anthelmintic (praziquantel), corticosteroid (dexamethasone), antacid (cimetidine), and anti-asthma (theophylline).
Drug-Food Interactions: Avoid alcohol. You are not recommended to take alcohol while you are being treated with LEVAMISOL. It may cause you to feel flushed and dizzy.
Drug-Disease Interactions: LEVAMISOL should be used with caution in patients with myelosuppression (bone marrow suppression), hepatobiliary dysfunction (liver and biliary disease), neurological disorder, meningitis (inflammation of the membranes of the brain), sleeping sickness, HIV, and kidney dysfunction.
Drug-Drug Interactions Checker List:
Safety Advice
Alcohol
cautionLEVAMISOL may interact with alcohol and worsen the condition.
Pregnancy
unsafeLEVAMISOL is a category C drug and may cause toxic effects to the unborn baby. So, your doctor may prescribe this medicine if the benefits outweigh the risks.
Breast Feeding
cautionLEVAMISOL may get excreted in the breast milk. So, your doctor may advise you to stop breastfeeding while taking this medicine.
Driving
cautionLEVAMISOL may cause dizziness and vision problems, so refrain from driving or operating heavy machinery while using this medicine.
Liver
cautionLEVAMISOL to be taken with caution, especially if you have a history of liver diseases/conditions. The dose may have to be adjusted by your doctor.
Kidney
cautionLEVAMISOL to be taken with caution, especially if you have a history of Kidney diseases/conditions. The dose may have to be adjusted by your doctor.
Children
safe if prescribedLEVAMISOL should be used in children only if clinically needed under the supervision of a Child specialist.
Habit Forming
Diet & Lifestyle Advise
- Wash your hands regularly with soap and water, especially after using the toilet and while eating.
- Avoid eating raw fish and meat.
- Thoroughly cook meat before eating.
- Wash all fruits and vegetables properly before consuming.
- Wash or reheat food that has been around for a long time.
- Avoid contact with soil that may be contaminated with feces.
- Avoid foods that have been kept open in the markets as they can be contaminated.
- Drink boiled and purified water.
Special Advise
Get up slowly and rest your feet on the floor for a few minutes before standing up to avoid orthostatic hypotension.
Patients Concern
Disease/Condition Glossary
Parasitic worm infections: Parasitic worms are also called intestinal worms or helminths. They live in and feed on the hosts leading to weakness and diseases. Common types of intestinal worms are roundworms and flatworms such as tapeworms and flukes. Worm infections could occur due to the consumption of contaminated water, food, or soil, contact with contaminated feces, poor sanitization, or poor hygiene. Symptoms of worm infections include abdominal pain, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, gas, bloating, fatigue, unexplained weight loss, and dysentery (bloody stools).
