Diethylcarbamazine is an antiparasitic drug to treat elephantiasis (filariasis). In addition, this drug can also be used to treat loaiasis or onchocerciasis.
Diethylcarbamazine works by killing worms in the blood, but not all adult worms. This drug can be combined with other antiparasitic drugs, such as ivermectin or albendazole.
Please note that diethylcarbamazine (DEC) is not effective in treating earthworm, hookworm, or pinworm infections. This medication is available in tablet form and should be used as directed by your doctor.
d trademarkethylcarbamazine: Diethylcarbamazine
What is Diethylcarbamazine
| group | Prescription drugs |
| Category | Antiparasitic (worm medicine) |
| Benefit | Treating elephantiasis or filariasis |
| Consumed by | Adults and children |
| Diethylcarbamazine for pregnant and lactating women | Category X: Studies in experimental animals and humans have demonstrated fetal abnormalities or a risk to the fetus. Drugs in this category should not be taken by women who are or have the possibility of becoming pregnant. It is not known whether the drug diethylcarbamazine can be absorbed into breast milk or not. If you are breastfeeding, do not take this medicine without consulting your doctor first. |
| Drug form | Tablet |
Warnings Before Taking Diethylcarbamazine
Diethylcarbamazine should only be taken as prescribed by a doctor. There are several things to consider before using this drug, including:
- Tell your doctor about any allergies you have. Diethylcarbamazine should not be given to patients who are allergic to this drug.
- Tell your doctor if you are pregnant, planning a pregnancy, or are breastfeeding. Diethylcarbamazine should not be used by pregnant and lactating women.
- Tell your doctor if you have kidney failure or heart disease. Diethylcarbamazine should not be given to patients with these conditions.
- Do not give diethylcarbamazine to children without consulting a doctor first.
- Do not drive or do activities that require alertness after taking diethylcarbamazine, as this drug can cause dizziness.
- Tell your doctor if you are taking certain medications, supplements, or herbal products.
- Tell your doctor right away if you experience a drug allergic reaction or serious side effect after taking diethylcarbamazine.
Dosage and Rules for Use of Diethylcarbamazine
The dose of diethylcarbamazine may vary for each patient, depending on the condition to be treated. Usually, the doctor will determine the dose according to the patient's body weight (BB).
The following are general doses of diethylcarbamazine for adults based on the condition to be treated:
- Condition: elephantiasis disease, loiasis, toxocariasis, and onchocerciasisFor treatment, the dose is 1 mg/kg, 3 times a day. The dose can be increased gradually over 3 days to 6 mg/kg, given for 3 weeks for the prevention of loiasis, the dose is 300 mg per week.
- Condition:Tropical pulmonary eosinophiliaThe dose for treatment is 6 mg/kgBW per day, which is divided into 3 doses, for 14 days.
- Condition:Mansonelliasis which are caused by by mushroom streptocercaThe dosage for treatment is 6 mg/kgBBper day for 14 days.For children, the dose of diethylcarbamazine will be determined by the doctor according to the patient's condition.
How to Take Diethylcarbamazine Correctly
Follow the doctor's advice and read the instructions on the medicine package before taking diethylcarbamazine. Do not reduce or increase the dose without consulting your doctor.
Diethylcarbamazine tablets are taken immediately after a meal. Keep taking this medicine according to the doctor's instructions even though the symptoms have disappeared after a few days, so that the infection is completely cured and does not recur.
Try not to miss a dose. If you forget to take diethylcarbamazine, take the drug immediately if the break with the next consumption schedule is not too close. If it is close, ignore it and do not double the dose.
Store diethylcarbamazine tablets in a closed container in a cool room. Keep this medicine away from direct sunlight and out of reach of children.
Interaction Diethylcarbamazine with other drugs
There have been no studies showing the effects of severe drug interactions when diethylcarbamazine is used concomitantly with other drugs. To anticipate the effects of drug interactions, always tell your doctor about any medications, supplements, or herbal products you are taking before taking diethylcarbamazine.
Side Effects and Dangers of Diethylcarbamazine
Although rare, consumption of diethylcarbamazine can cause side effects such as:
- Nausea and vomiting
- Headache or dizziness
- Fever or chills
- Drowsiness
Check with your doctor if the side effects mentioned above don't get better or get worse.
See your doctor right away if you have an allergic reaction to the drug or have serious side effects, such as sudden blindness, difficulty seeing in the afternoon or evening, or symptoms such as tunnel vision (seetunnel vision).
