Levamisole
Anti-parasitic
View Brand Names (3)Dose and dosage
• 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).
- 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.)
- Endoparasites: 4.4 mg/kg once PO.
- Lungworms: 20–40 mg/kg q48h for five treatments PO
8 mg/kg in drinking water.
a) For removal of mature and immature Dictyocaulus vivapurus: 8 mg/kg PO
b) 7.5 mg/kg PO
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)
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In cattle and sheep, levamisole is used to treat a variety of nematodes, including stomach worms (Haemonchus, Trichostrongylus, and Ostertagia spp.), intestinal worms (Trichostrongylus, Cooperia, Nematodirus, Bunostomum, Oesophagostomum, and Chabertia spp.), and lungworms (Dictyocaulus spp.).
In pigs, it is used to treat nematodes such as large roundworms (Ascaris suum), nodular worms (Oesophagostomum spp.), intestinal thread worms (Strongyloides ransomi), and lungworms (Metastrongylus spp.). Levamisole has been used for treatment of endoparasites in dogs and as a microfilaricide. Macrocyclic lactones (e.g., milbemycin oxime or ivermectin) are considered a preferred heartworm microfilaricide.
Levamisole is an antiparasitic drug of the imidazothiazole class. It eliminates a variety of parasites via neuromuscular toxicity. Levamisole has an immunorestorative effect in animals, but the mechanism of action on the immune system is unknown. It may activate and stimulate proliferation of T cells; augment monocyte activation; and stimulate macrophages, including phagocytosis and chemotaxis. It may increase neutrophil mobility. However, it is not cytotoxic to neutrophils or immune cells.
ASPIRIN: Levamisole may increase salicylate levels
CHLORAMPHENICOL: Fatalities have been reported after concomitant levamisole and chloramphenicol administration; avoid using these agents
together
CHOLINESTERASE-INHIBITING DRUGS (e.g., organophosphates,
neostigmine): Could theoretically enhance the toxic effects of levamisole;
use together with caution
NICOTINE-LIKE COMPOUNDS (e.g., pyrantel, morantel, diethylcarbamazine): Could theoretically enhance the toxic effects of levamisole; use together with caution.
WARFARIN: Increased risk for bleeding
Adverse effects that may be seen in cattle can include muzzle foaming or hypersalivation, excitement or trembling, lip-licking and head shaking. These effects are generally noted with higher than recommended doses or if levamisole is used concomitantly with organophosphates. Signs generally subside within 2 hours. When injecting into cattle, swelling may occur at the injection site. This will usually abate in 7–14 days, but may be objectionable in animals that are close to slaughter.
Meat and Milk: 1 day