Diethylcarbamazine
About Diethylcarbamazine
Diethylcarbamazine is indicated for the treatment of certain parasitic infections, including Bancroft's filariasis, Eosinophilic lung, Loiasis, and River blindness.
Diethylcarbamazine consists of Diethylcarbamazine, which kills the worms that cause infections. Thus, it helps to treat certain parasitic infections and their symptoms.
Take this medicine as directed by the healthcare professional. Diethylcarbamazine may cause side effects like itching, swelling of the face, especially near the eyes, tightness in the chest or throat, wheezing, feeling sleepy, and nervousness. Contact your healthcare provider if these side effects bother you or do not resolve gradually.
Do not take Diethylcarbamazine if you are allergic to any of its components. Consult the doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding. Keep the doctor informed about your health condition and medications to rule out any side effects/interactions.
Uses of Diethylcarbamazine
Medicinal Benefits
Diethylcarbamazine consists of Diethylcarbamazine, which is used for the treatment of certain types of parasitic infections. It works by killing worms circulating in the bloodstream. It is used to treat Bancroft's filariasis, Eosinophilic lung (tropical pulmonary eosinophilia, Loiasis, and River blindness (onchocerciasis).
Directions for Use
Storage
Side Effects of Diethylcarbamazine
- Itching
- Swelling of the face, especially near the eyes
- Tightness in the chest or throat
- Wheezing
- Feeling sleepy
- Nervousness
Drug Warnings
Do not take Diethylcarbamazine if you are allergic to any of its components. Inform the doctor if you have a blockage in your stomach or intestine, difficulty in urinating, an enlarged prostate, or an asthma attack. Consult the doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding. Let the doctor know if you are taking any other medicines, including supplements or herbal products.
Drug Interactions
Drug-Drug Interaction: Inform the doctor if you are taking antihistamine drugs (fexofenadine, loratadine, diphenhydramine), analgesics (acetaminophen), and anti-allergic medicine (montelukast).
Drug-Food Interaction: No interaction found/established.
Drug-Disease Interaction: Inform the doctor if you have seizures, eye complications, severe kidney problems, narrow-angle glaucoma, a blockage in the stomach or intestines, an enlarged prostate, difficulty urinating, or an asthma attack.
Drug-Drug Interactions Checker List:
Safety Advice
Alcohol
cautionLimit the consumption of alcohol as it may increase the side effects of the medicine.
Pregnancy
cautionPlease consult the doctor if you are pregnant.
Breast Feeding
cautionDiethylcarbamazine has the ability to pass into breast milk that can harm the unborn baby, so do not use this medicine without asking the doctor.
Driving
unsafeDiethylcarbamazine may cause blurred vision, so one should avoid driving as it may increase the chances of accidents.
Liver
cautionPersons dealing with liver disease may be at higher risk of getting side effects of Diethylcarbamazine. Treatment with Diethylcarbamazine should be administered cautiously in these patients. Initially, the doctor may suggest a lower dosage.
Kidney
cautionPersons with kidney disease may be at higher risk of side effects from Diethylcarbamazine. Treatment with Diethylcarbamazine should be administered cautiously in these patients. Initially, the doctor may suggest lower dosages.
Children
unsafeDiethylcarbamazine can only be used in children if strongly suggested by the doctor, as misuse of medication may cause serious side effects in children.
Habit Forming
Diet & Lifestyle Advise
- It is best to consume a balanced diet, which is high in nutrients and very little in refined sugars/ processed foods.
- Fibre is important for bowel movements, which helps to cleanse parasites from the body, so include more fibre-rich foods in the diet, like oats.
- Pumpkin seeds, garlic, honey, and papaya seeds are considered antiparasitic foods, so it is best to include them in your diet.
- Sometimes, doctors recommend a grain-free, sugar-free diet, while others may recommend limiting fruit intake to further reduce dietary sugars, so it is better to talk to your nutritionist.
Special Advise
It is advised to go for regular checkups, as they help the doctor check the progress of medicine in clearing up the infection. Your doctor may also suggest you go for an eye check-up, as some persons may experience temporary or permanent eye problems if used for a longer time.
Patients Concern
Disease/Condition Glossary
Parasitic infections: Parasites are organisms that live inside other organism's bodies (hosts) for their survival. Some parasites do not cause any harm to their host, while some cause sickness in the human body, resulting in parasitic infection. There are three types of organisms responsible for causing a parasitic infection that include protozoa (single-celled and multiply inside the body), Helminths (multicelled, live outside the body like tapeworms), and Ectoparasites (multi-celled, live or feed off the skin like mites).
Bancroft's filariasis: It is caused by thread-like worms that live inside humans' lymphatic system. The lymphatic system of the body consists of fluid and is responsible for fighting infections. This disease spreads from one person to another by mosquitoes. Common symptoms include fever and skin exfoliation. And high levels of eosinophils (white blood cells).
Loiasis: It is also called an 'African eye worm,' an infectious parasitic disease transmitted to humans by the bite of Chrysops deerfly species. A person dealing with this disease may face itchy, non-painful swellings in their body. Sometimes, a person may see worms crawling under their skin or an eye worm.
River blindness: It is caused by a parasitic worm and is transmitted through repeated bites by black flies that live near rivers and streams. If not treated, then it may even cause visual impairment and sometimes blindness.
Eosinophilic lung: This is a disease related to lung problems in which white blood cells in the body increase. White blood cells are responsible for fighting allergic reactions and certain infections. Some of the symptoms of this disease include cough, chest pain, tightness, increased mucus, rapid breathing, bloody mucus and shortness of breath.
FAQs
Diethylcarbamazine is used to treat parasitic infections, including Bancroft's filariasis, Eosinophilic lung, Loiasis, and River blindness.
Diethylcarbamazine works by killing worms present in the bloodstream. Thereby, it provides relief from parasitic infection.
Even if you feel well, it is advised to take Diethylcarbamazine for as long as it has been prescribed to clear out the infection from the body.
Diethylcarbamazine is not recommended for people who are hypersensitive to any of the components of Diethylcarbamazine or dealing with narrow-angle glaucoma, an enlarged prostate, blockage in the stomach or intestines, difficulty urinating or an asthma attack. Talk to the doctor if you have any concerns.
The doctor may suggest a corticosteroid medicine in some patients with river blindness, as this combination will help to reduce the inflammation caused by the death of the worms.
Take Diethylcarbamazine preferably after meals or as advised by your doctor. Follow your doctor’s instructions regarding the dosage and frequency.
Yes, Diethylcarbamazine can treat eosinophilia when associated with certain parasitic infections, such as tropical pulmonary eosinophilia and lymphatic filariasis. However, please consult your doctor before taking Diethylcarbamazine.
The duration for taking Diethylcarbamazine depends on the treatment condition and your doctor's recommendations. Therefore, complete the entire course of treatment as prescribed by your doctor.
Yes, Diethylcarbamazine can cause drowsiness as a side effect. Therefore, avoid activities that require high mental alertness, such as driving or operating machinery.
Yes, Diethylcarbamazine is effective if used in the dose and duration your doctor advises. Complete the entire course of treatment as prescribed by your doctor. Do not stop taking Diethylcarbamazine early, as symptoms may return or worsen.
Store Diethylcarbamazine in a cool and dry place, below 30°C, away from sunlight and moisture. Keep out of reach of children.
If you forget to take a dose of Diethylcarbamazine, take it as soon as you remember. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and continue with your regular dosing schedule. Do not double the dose to make up the dose.
Diethylcarbamazine is safe when used as prescribed by a doctor. Follow your doctor's instructions and inform of any unusual symptoms or side effects you experience while taking Diethylcarbamazine.
The common side effects of Diethylcarbamazine are itching, swelling of the face, especially near the eyes, tightness in the chest or throat, wheezing, feeling sleepy, and nervousness. Please consult your doctor if any of these side effects persist or worsen.
