Levamisole Generic Medicine | VetSafeCare.Com

Generic medicine

Levamisole

Levamisole is a fast acting drug which acts on nematode nerve ganglia paralysing the worm’s musculature within seconds of contact. Unable to maintain their position, the worms are then ejected by normal peristaltic movement, usually within 24 hours of levamisole administration. Although it is ... Read moreLevamisole is a fast acting drug which acts on nematode nerve ganglia paralysing the worm’s musculature within seconds of contact. Unable to maintain their position, the worms are then ejected by normal peristaltic movement, usually within 24 hours of levamisole administration. Although it is certain that levamisole primarily influences the neuromuscular system of nematodes, it is possible that in some helminthes the inhibition of the fumarate reductase system contributes to the anthelmintic efficacy of levamisole. Levamisole is indicated for the treatment of infections by the following gastrointestinal wormspecies: Ascaris lumbricoides: Roundworm Necator americanus: Hookworm Ancylostoma duodenal: Hookworm E nterobius vermicularis: Pinworm Trichuris trichuria: Whipworm Strongyloides stercoralis: Threadworm Trichostrongylus colubriformis

Brands

17

Categories

1

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Dose and dosage

Cat

  • Endoparasites: 4.4 mg/kg once PO.
  • Lungworms: 20–40 mg/kg q48h for five treatments PO

Cattle

• 8 mg/kg once PO or approximately one 2.19-g bolus per 450–750 lb (200–340 kg).
• Levamisole injection (for cattle): 8 mg/kg SQ into the midneck area once or approximately 2 mL per 100 lb (45 kg).

Dog

  • Endoparasites: 5–8 mg/kg once PO (up to 10 mg/kg PO for 2 days).
  • Hookworms: 10 mg/kg/day for 2 days.
  • Microfilaricide: 10 mg/kg q24h PO for 6–10 days (recommended to use
  • macrocyclic lactones instead).
  • Immunostimulant: 0.5–2 mg/kg three times per week PO. (In humans, the
  • immunostimulant dose is given q8h for 3 days.)

Goat

a) For removal of mature and immature Dictyocaulus vivapurus: 8 mg/kg PO
b) 7.5 mg/kg PO

Human

The following doses of Levamisole are given as a single administration, preferably after a light meal. Age 1-4 year: 1 Tablets or 5 ml Syrup Age 5-15 year: 2 Tablets or 10 ml Syrup Age 16 year and over: 3 Tablets or 15 ml Syrup In cases of severe hookworm infection it is suggested that a second standard dose be given one or seven days after the first, whichever timing is feasible.

Swine

8 mg/kg in drinking water.

Birds (Other)

a) Using 13.65% injectable: For intestinal nematodes: 5–15 mL/gallon of drinking water for 1–3 days; repeat in 10 days. If birds refuse to drink, = withhold water prior to treating.
b) As a nebulized immunostimulant: 1 mL (of 13.65% levamisole phosphate) in 15 mL saline (Spink 1986)
c) For Capillaria infections: 15–30 mg/kg orally as a single bolus or through a crop tube; or 2.25 mg/gallon of drinking water for 4–5 days.
Repeat treatment in 10–14 days. (Flammer 1986)
d) Poultry: 18–36 mg/kg, PO (Brander et al. 1982)
e) Ratites: For Libyastrongylus douglassi: Give 30 mg/kg PO or IM at one month of age, then once a month for 7 treatments, then 4 times yearly
(Jenson 1998)

Clinical notes

Applications:

N/A

Indication Notes:
Levamisole is a fast acting drug which acts on nematode nerve ganglia paralysing the worm’s musculature within seconds of contact. Unable to maintain their position, the worms are then ejected by normal peristaltic movement, usually within 24 hours of levamisole administration. Although it is ... Read moreLevamisole is a fast acting drug which acts on nematode nerve ganglia paralysing the worm’s musculature within seconds of contact. Unable to maintain their position, the worms are then ejected by normal peristaltic movement, usually within 24 hours of levamisole administration. Although it is certain that levamisole primarily influences the neuromuscular system of nematodes, it is possible that in some helminthes the inhibition of the fumarate reductase system contributes to the anthelmintic efficacy of levamisole. Levamisole is indicated for the treatment of infections by the following gastrointestinal wormspecies: Ascaris lumbricoides: Roundworm Necator americanus: Hookworm Ancylostoma duodenal: Hookworm E nterobius vermicularis: Pinworm Trichuris trichuria: Whipworm Strongyloides stercoralis: Threadworm Trichostrongylus colubriformis
Avoid In:

N/A

Contraindication Notes:
There is no absolute contra-indication to the use of Levamisole
Levamisole is the active laevo-isomer of tetramisole. It works by paralysing susceptible intestinal worms which are then excreted from the intestines. Levamisole also enhances cellular immune responses in humans.
May increase toxicity of phenytoin. Increases bioavailability of ivermectin; decreases bioavailability of albendazole. Alcohol causes disulfiram-like reaction.
Side-effects are infrequent. They are usually mild and transient and include nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, giddiness(dizziness) and headache. An encephalopathylike syndrome has been reported to have occurred in a few patients two or three weeks after treatment.
Counter possible anticholinesterase activity with e.g. atropine. Control blood pressure and respiration . Do not use sedatives.
Although studies in animals have shown that Levamisole produces no teratogenic effects, current medical practice requires that the benefits of any drug used during pregnancy should be weighed against the possible dangers.
Effect on ability to drive or operate machinery: There is no evidence to suggest that Levamisole , used for anthelmintic purpose, will produce sedation. Mild and transient giddiness is an infrequent side-effect of treatment. No precautions are suggested concerning the ability to drive or operate machinery.In case of concurrent microfilaraemia transient fever may occur.