Anthelmintics
Handwritten Notes on Anthelmintics:
- Diethylcarbamazine citrate*
- Thiabendazole
- Mebendazole*
- Albendazole
- Niclosamide
- Oxamniquine
- Praziquantal
- Ivermectin
Detailed Explanation
Anthelmintics are a class of drugs designed to treat infections caused by helminths (parasitic worms). These include roundworms, tapeworms, and flukes. Helminth infections are a significant public health concern, especially in regions with poor sanitation and hygiene. This class of drugs works by either killing the parasites directly or paralyzing them, enabling their removal from the host body.
Diethylcarbamazine citrate is used primarily to treat filarial infections, such as lymphatic filariasis and tropical eosinophilia. It works by affecting the surface structure and muscle activity of microfilariae.
Thiabendazole, Mebendazole, and Albendazole are benzimidazole derivatives effective against a broad spectrum of intestinal nematodes. They function by inhibiting the polymerization of tubulin, a protein crucial for helminth survival and reproduction.
Niclosamide is highly effective against adult tapeworms by inhibiting their glucose uptake and oxidative phosphorylation, ultimately killing the parasite. Similarly, Oxamniquine is used for treating Schistosomiasis by causing paralysis and eventual death of the worms.
Praziquantal is a versatile drug effective against trematodes (flukes) and cestodes (tapeworms). It increases the permeability of the parasite's cell membrane to calcium ions, causing muscle contraction and paralysis.
Ivermectin is widely used to treat infections caused by Onchocerca volvulus (river blindness) and other nematodes. It works by binding to glutamate-gated chloride channels in the parasite's nerve and muscle cells, leading to their paralysis and death.
These drugs, when used appropriately, are highly effective in reducing the burden of helminthic diseases and improving quality of life. However, proper diagnosis and treatment planning are essential to minimize resistance and adverse effects.
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