Diethylcarbamazine Citrate+chlorpheniramine Maleate
About
Diethylcarbamazine Citrate+chlorpheniramine Maleate belongs to a group of medicines called 'antiparasitic' used to treat particular worm or parasitic infections. Parasitism or parasitic infection is a condition in which one organism (the parasite) causes harm to its host or lives at the host's expense in some way. Millions of individuals are afflicted by parasites, which cause enormous suffering and death.
Diethylcarbamazine Citrate+chlorpheniramine Maleate consists of two medicines: Diethylcarbamazine Citrate (antiparasitic) and Chlorpheniramine Maleate (antihistamines). Diethylcarbamazine Citrate paralyzes the parasitic worms by stopping them from interacting with the host cell, thereby killing it. On the other hand, Chlorpheniramine Maleate reduces the allergy symptoms characterized by increased white blood cells (eosinophils), sneezing, runny nose and watery eyes. Thus, Diethylcarbamazine Citrate+chlorpheniramine Maleate prevents the growth of worms in the human body by killing microfilariae and some of the adult worms in the human intestine and reducing allergic symptoms caused by parasitic worms.
Take Diethylcarbamazine Citrate+chlorpheniramine Maleate after food or as directed by your doctor. Some persons may experience itching, swelling of the face, especially near the eyes, tightness in the chest or throat, wheezing, sleepiness, and nervousness. Contact your healthcare provider if these side effects bother you or do not go within a couple of days.
Do not take if you are allergic to any components present in Diethylcarbamazine Citrate+chlorpheniramine Maleate. Consult your doctor before using Diethylcarbamazine Citrate+chlorpheniramine Maleate if you are pregnant or breastfeeding. There is limited information on the use of Diethylcarbamazine Citrate+chlorpheniramine Maleate in patients with renal or hepatic impairment. Please seek medical advice before using Diethylcarbamazine Citrate+chlorpheniramine Maleate if you suffer from renal or hepatic impairment. Diethylcarbamazine Citrate+chlorpheniramine Maleate may cause dizziness, affect thinking ability, and change vision, so make sure that you do not drive or do any work that needs a clear vision. If any of the unpleasant effects of medicine become annoying, contact your doctor on an urgent basis. Keep your doctor informed about your health condition and all the medicines you take before taking Diethylcarbamazine Citrate+chlorpheniramine Maleate to rule out any side effects.
Uses of Diethylcarbamazine Citrate+chlorpheniramine Maleate
Medicinal Benefits
Diethylcarbamazine Citrate+chlorpheniramine Maleate consists of Diethylcarbamazine Citrate and Chlorpheniramine Maleate as their medicinal constituents and is used to treat certain types of parasitic infections. Diethylcarbamazine Citrate+chlorpheniramine Maleate is an antiparasitic medication that works by killing worms and inhibits the action of histamine (a natural chemical released by the body) responsible for causing allergic reactions in the body during parasite infection. Besides this, it also reduces the levels of eosinophil count (white blood cells), which increases during parasitic infection and thus controls breathlessness, cough, and cold associated with it.
Directions for Use
Storage
Side Effects of Diethylcarbamazine Citrate+chlorpheniramine Maleate
- Dizziness, or drowsiness
- Dry mouth, nose, or throat
- Constipation
- Blurred vision
- Feeling nervous or restless
- Fever
- GI disturbances
- Nausea
- Loss of appetite
- Sleepiness
- Headache
- Allergic reaction
In-Depth Precautions and Warning
Drug Warnings
Let your doctor know if you had a skin reaction or irritation to any medicine. Consult your doctor before using Diethylcarbamazine Citrate+chlorpheniramine Maleate if you are pregnant or breastfeeding. One should consult with their doctor before giving this medicine to the child as it may cause a severe reaction if used in very young children. The use of Diethylcarbamazine Citrate+chlorpheniramine Maleate is not allowed in patients dealing with a blockage in their stomach or intestine, difficulty urinating, enlarged prostate, and an asthma attack. Diethylcarbamazine Citrate+chlorpheniramine Maleate may cause night blindness or even vision loss if used for a long time. So it is advisable to have regular eye check-ups. The doctor may recommend a corticosteroid medication in certain patients facing river blindness with severe symptoms. It is given to reduce the inflammation that happens during the death of worms.
Drug Interactions
Drug-Drug Interactions: No significant drug interactions have been reported.
Drug-Food Interactions: No significant food interactions have been reported.
Drug-Disease Interactions: Diethylcarbamazine Citrate+chlorpheniramine Maleate may interact with disease conditions, including seizure conditions, eye complications, severe kidney problems, narrow-angle glaucoma, a blockage in the stomach or intestines, an enlarged prostate, difficulty urinating, and an asthma attack.
Drug-Drug Interactions Checker List:
Safety Advice
Alcohol
cautionLimit or avoid the consumption of alcohol as it may increase the side effects of Diethylcarbamazine Citrate+chlorpheniramine Maleate.
Pregnancy
safe if prescribedIt is unknown whether Diethylcarbamazine Citrate+chlorpheniramine Maleate is safe to use in pregnancy. Please consult your doctor. Your doctor will prescribe only if the benefits outweigh the risks.
Breast Feeding
cautionIt is unknown whether Diethylcarbamazine Citrate+chlorpheniramine Maleate is safe to use in breastfeeding. Please consult your doctor. Your doctor will prescribe only if the benefits outweigh the risks.
Driving
unsafeDo not drive or operate any machinery, as it may cause dizziness and blurred vision.
Liver
cautionPersons with liver disease may be at higher risk of getting side effects of Diethylcarbamazine Citrate+chlorpheniramine Maleate. If you have liver disease, use Diethylcarbamazine Citrate+chlorpheniramine Maleate with caution. Your doctor may adjust the dose of this medicine based on your condition.
Kidney
cautionPersons with kidney disease may be at higher risk of getting side effects of Diethylcarbamazine Citrate+chlorpheniramine Maleate. If you have kidney problems, use Diethylcarbamazine Citrate+chlorpheniramine Maleate with caution. Your doctor may adjust the dose of this medicine based on your condition.
Children
cautionDiethylcarbamazine Citrate+chlorpheniramine Maleate can be used in children only if prescribed by the doctor. The dose of this medicine will be decided by your doctor based on your child's age, bodyweight, and condition.
Habit Forming
Diet & Lifestyle Advise
- Consume a balanced diet high in nutrients and very less in refined sugars/processed foods.
- Fibre is essential for bowel movement, which helps cleanse parasites from the body, including more fibre-rich foods in the body like oats.
- Include pumpkin seeds, garlic, honey, and papaya seeds as antiparasitic foods in your diet.
- Doctors may recommend a grain-free, sugar-free diet, while others recommend limiting fruit intake to reduce added dietary sugars, so it better talk to your nutritionist.
- Avoid consuming contaminated water and food.
- Rest your stomach and bowels, but continue to drink fluids. You can accomplish this by not eating anything and simply drinking clear drinks. Clear liquids include water, weak tea, fruit juice mixed half and half with water, and caffeine-free soft beverages (like lemon-lime soda).
- Avoid acidic beverages, such as orange juice, or caffeinated, like coffee, if you suffer from diarrhoea.
- Eat only hot, freshly cooked meals when travelling to areas where contamination is more likely. Consume no raw veggies or fruit. Only consume bottled water and drinks. Avoid using tap water and ice, and instead, boil water before drinking.
- You may consume soft, simple foods. Soda crackers, toast, simple noodles or rice, prepared cereal, applesauce, and bananas are good options. Slowly consume items that are difficult to digest or may irritate your stomach, such as acidic meals (such as tomatoes or oranges), spicy or fatty foods, meats, and fresh vegetables. You should be able to resume your regular diet in a few days.
- Limit or avoid the consumption of alcohol.
- Quit smoking.
Special Advise
- Certain diagnostic tests like blood smears could help detect the type of parasite infection.
- It is advisable to have regular eye check-ups while taking Diethylcarbamazine Citrate+chlorpheniramine Maleate as prolonged use may cause blindness.
Patients Concern
Disease/Condition Glossary
Parasitic infections: Parasitism or parasitic infections is a condition in which one organism (the parasite) causes harm to its host or lives at the host's expense in some way. Millions of individuals are afflicted by parasites, which cause enormous suffering and death. Parasitic infections can be transmitted in a variety of ways. They spread through polluted water, food, waste, soil, and blood. Some are transmitted through sexual Interaction. Some parasites are spread by insects that act as disease vectors or carriers.
FAQs
Diethylcarbamazine Citrate+chlorpheniramine Maleate contains Diethylcarbamazine Citrate (an antiparasitic medication) and Chlorpheniramine Maleate (anti-allergy medicine). Diethylcarbamazine Citrate kills worms, whereas Chlorpheniramine Maleate inhibits histamine, a chemical that causes allergic reactions in the body. These medications treat the parasitic infections and allergic symptoms associated with this disease.
Yes, going for regular check-ups with the doctor would be beneficial because it would allow them to monitor the progress of the medicine in clearing up the infection. Your doctor may also advise you to have an eye exam. Some people may experience temporary or permanent eye problems if they use this medicine for an extended period of time, so consult your doctor to avoid such side effects.
To clear out the infection completely from the body, your doctor may suggest full-time treatment, even if the symptoms got clear up in a few days. If you stop taking this medicine without completing the course, the parasitic infection will return, so complete your treatment course.
A person who is hypersensitive to any component of Diethylcarbamazine Citrate+chlorpheniramine Maleate or dealing with narrow-angle glaucoma, an enlarged prostate, blockage in your stomach or intestines, difficulty in urinating, or an asthma attack. Tell your doctor about all of your medical conditions.
The doctor may suggest a corticosteroid medicine in some patients dealing with river blindness. This combination will help reduce the inflammation in the body caused due to the death of the worms.
