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Levamisol

About

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

Take Levamisol as advised by your doctor. Swallow it as a whole with water; do not crush, break or chew it.

Storage

Store in a cool and dry place away from sunlight

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:

  • THEOPHYLLINE
  • SODIUM OXYBATE
  • PHENOBARBITAL
  • LORAZEPAM
  • CLONAZEPAM
  • CLOZAPINE
  • VALPROIC ACID
  • DEXAMETHASONE
  • BUTALBITAL
  • PRAZIQUANTEL
  • CIMETIDINE
  • Safety Advice

    • Safety Warning

      Alcohol

      caution

      Levamisol may interact with alcohol and worsen the condition.

    • Safety Warning

      Pregnancy

      unsafe

      Levamisol 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.

    • Safety Warning

      Breast Feeding

      caution

      Levamisol may get excreted in the breast milk. So, your doctor may advise you to stop breastfeeding while taking this medicine.

    • Safety Warning

      Driving

      caution

      Levamisol may cause dizziness and vision problems, so refrain from driving or operating heavy machinery while using this medicine.

    • Safety Warning

      Liver

      caution

      Levamisol 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.

    • Safety Warning

      Kidney

      caution

      Levamisol 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.

    • Safety Warning

      Children

      safe if prescribed

      Levamisol should be used in children only if clinically needed under the supervision of a Child specialist.

    Habit Forming

    No

    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).

    FAQs

    Levamisol usually improves your symptoms within 2 to 3 days after taking this medicine. However, you have to complete the course of therapy as prescribed by your doctor. If there is no improvement in your condition even after completing the course, consult your doctor immediately.

    Levamisol may cause vision problems such as blurred vision, although not every person experiences these side effects. Consult your doctor if your vision problem affects your daily activities.

    Levamisol is not an antibiotic. It is an antihelmintic medication used to treat parasitic worm infections in the stomach and intestine.

    You may require regular monitoring of blood cell count and liver function during treatment with Levamisol. Levamisol might increase the chances of getting an infection, so maintain proper hygiene, and try to stay away from people with infections, flu, or cold.

    Common symptoms of intestinal worms are stomach (abdominal pain); diarrhoea, nausea, vomiting; gas formation, bloating; fatigue and unexplained weight.

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    Levamisol

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