Antihelminthics - Enemy Of Helminths

Hi in this  blog I am going to discuss about "Antihelminthics" drug. We all are familiar to this word , but  this blog will provide a descriptive information about "ANTIHELMINTHICS"

Firstly we should know what are Helminths

Helminths are basically parasitic worms which when entered into the body develops disease condition. The adult parasite can generally be seen with naked eyes.
Basically when the parasitic worms entered into the host body they nourish themselves by receiving nutrients from the host and as a result the absorbing power of host to absorb nutrients get disturbed due to which weakness and disease condition arises.
An infection caused by Helminths are known as "Helminthiasis"

ANTIHELMINTHICS

Antihelminthics drug are the class of drugs which are used to treat the disease caused by Helminths( Parasitic worm)

The worms that cause infection in man generally includes- 

- Roundworms

- Tapeworms

- Flukes

CLASSFICATION

For Nematodes (Roundworms) -

- Diethylcarbamazine

- Ivermectin

- Mebendazole

- Pyrantel pamoate

- Thiabendazole

For Trematodes (Flukes) -

- Praziquantel

For Cestodes ( Tapeworms) -

- Albendazole

- Niclosamide

Uses And Mechanism Of Action

DIETHYLCARBAMAZINE

Uses - It is used to treat Filariasis 

MOA  - It immobilize microfilariae and rendered them susceptible to host defence.

IVERMECTIN

Uses - It is used to treat River blindness

MOA - It target the parasite's glutamate gated chloride channel receptors which will cause paralysis of the worm.

IT IS CONTRAINDICATED IN PREGNANCY.

MEBENDAZOLE

Uses - It is the drug of choice in the treatment of infection caused by whipworm , pinworm , hookworms and roundworms.

MOA - It interfere with parasite's  microtubules and decreases glucose uptake.

IT ALSO CONTRAINDICATED IN PREGNANCY  DUE TO ITS TERATOGENIC AND EMBRYOTOXIC EFFECT

PYRANTEL PAMOATE

Uses - It is used in the treatment of infection caused by ringworms , pinworms , hookworms.

MOA - It act as a depolarizing , neuromuscular blocking agent causing persistent activation of the parasite's nicotinic receptor.

THIABENDAZOLE

Uses - It is used to treat Strongyloidiasis caused by threadworm.

MOA -  It cause the microtubule aggregation in parasite.

PRAZIQUANTEL

Uses - It is used to treat the infections caused by Trematode.

MOA - It increases the cell membrane permeability to calcium causing paralysis of the parasites.

IT IS CONTRAINDICATED FOR THE TREATMENT OF OCULAR CYSTICERCOSIS BECAUSE OF DESTRUCTION OF THE ORGANISM AND MAY DAMAGE THE ORGAN.

ABENDAZOLE

Uses - It inhibits the microtubule synthesis in parasites.

MOA -  It inhibits the microtubule synthesis in parasites

 IT SHOULD NOT BE GIVEN TO PREGNANT WOMEN AND TO CHILDREN UNDER TWO YEAR OF AGE

NICLOSAMIDE

Uses - It is used to treat tapeworm infections.

MOA - It inhibits the parasites mitochondrial phosphorylation of adenosine diphosphate and causes parasite death.

ALCOHOL SHOULD BE AVOIDED WITHIN ONE DAY OF NICLOSAMIDE

SIDE EFFECTS

The adverse effects varies with each drug

But the common side effects includes - 

Nausea

vomiting

Diarrhea

Dizziness

Headache