Instructions for use of the drug Levamisole 75

Action

Levamisole (also used as a synonym Dekaris), entering the body of the parasite, causes a blockade of the nerve node in a few seconds. Presumably, the fumarate reductase system in the muscles of the helminth is also suppressed. Paralyzed worms are eliminated from the body within 24 hours after consuming the drug, but this is provided that intestinal motility is not impaired.

The drug is used as an immunostimulant for cancer. It is used for immunosuppressive conditions (suppressed immune system) after surgery and chemotherapy.

Presumably, Levamisole causes the activity and proliferation of T-lymphocytes, an increase in the number of monocytes, and also activates neutrophil granulocytes and macrophages. In this case, the active substance does not have a cytotoxic effect.

Decaris is quickly absorbed into the digestive tract. The maximum content in blood plasma is observed after 1.5–2 hours. 70% of the active substance is excreted in the urine, another 5% in feces in its original form.

Reviews

Opinions about Levamisole vary, but the medicine is effective against parasites. Sixty-two percent of people say the product is effective, and thirty-eight percent of people are dissatisfied with the occurrence of adverse reactions. Doctors also expressed their point of view. Their responses are mostly positive, however, they categorically do not recommend the use of Levamisole for children under seven years of age. The main thing when taking the drug is to study the instructions for use and follow the doctor’s recommendations.

Anna, 40 years old

At first my stomach hurt, and I went to the doctor. The doctor told me to get tested. Based on the test results, he determined the presence of parasites in the body. I started treatment with the drug Levamisole. Personally, I did not have any adverse reactions. I took the drug exactly according to the instructions. The only thing that happened was that I felt a little nauseous.

Ekaterina, 26 years old

After the sea, I immediately went to the doctor because of abdominal pain. Passed the test. The doctor discovered parasites. The specialist prescribed this medicine for me. There were also no adverse reactions.

Ksyusha, 30 years old

The doctor diagnosed me with a mixed type - helminthiasis with ascariasis. He prescribed a course of treatment with Levamisole. I had adverse reactions: vomiting, dizziness. But after a couple of days everything went away. After treatment, I checked to see if there were any parasites in my body. They were not found in the analysis. The secondary results were certainly not pleasant, but there was no severe discomfort. But for a child, I would look for the most harmless drug.

Elena, 45 years old

I have a little baby. And we have repeatedly encountered the problem of helminthic infestation. The doctor prescribed the drug Levamisole. After reading the manual, I began to doubt the safety of the substance, but I completed a course of treatment. And in fact, after taking Levamisole there were no adverse reactions. I was not prescribed re-therapy. When I took the test after treatment, there were no more worms. I would also like to highlight the affordable price of the substance, which has a beneficial effect on the family budget. For this reason, I recommend that those who are afraid of the secondary effects of Levamisole strictly follow the doctor’s prescriptions and they can be excluded.

Maria, 28 years old

For a couple of days in a row I had discomfort in my abdomen. The analysis showed the presence of worms. I rushed to the doctor like a bullet, and he determined Levamisole. After reading, I received mixed opinions about the drug on the Internet, for this reason I decided to try it and check its effect on myself. After taking one pill, I felt a little dizzy and lightheaded.

Subsequent use no longer produced similar results and everything went relatively well. My response to the drug is more positive, due to the fact that, despite the secondary effects, I would like to note its high effectiveness and low price. He said that Levamisole can even be taken as a preventive measure against parasites.

Doctors note the effectiveness of the drug not as an anthelmintic therapy but as an immunomodulator. After using the substance Levamisole to rapidly remove toxins and resume normal activity of the intestinal tract, doctors advise in addition to taking enterosorbents and probiotics.

Instructions for use

As mentioned above, the main purpose of Levamisole is the treatment of helminthic infestations, namely:

• hookworm;
• ascariasis;
• necatoria;
• trongiloidosis (infection with intestinal eels);
• toxocariasis;
• toxoplasmosis;
• trichostrongylosis (nematode infection).
• trichocephalosis (whipworm infection);
• enterobiasis (pinworm infection).

As an immunomodulatory agent, Dekaris is prescribed for the following diseases (including as part of complex therapy):

• infectious diseases, including relapses of herpes simplex types 1 and 2, varicella zoster virus, active chronic hepatitis B, persistent viral hepatitis;
• rheumatoid arthritis, Crohn's disease (inflammatory disease of the gastrointestinal tract with a chronic course), Reiter's syndrome (allergic disease), aphthous stomatitis, systemic lupus erythematosus;
• malignant neoplasms in the bronchi, large intestine, mammary gland - after surgery, radiation and chemotherapy, Hodgkin's disease (malignant disease of lymphoid tissue), leukemia - in breaks between cytostatic treatment;
• frequent acute viral infections in childhood;
• skin diseases - rosacea and vulgar acne, psoriasis;
• forms of schizophrenia that are difficult to treat;
• chronic nonspecific lung diseases;
• chronic glomerulonephritis (inflammation of the glomeruli of the kidneys).

Analogs

Any antiparasitic agent has analogues. Levamisole is no exception.

Dekaris

Dekaris is recognized as the main analogue. Levamisole enters into the structure of the substance, which paralyzes the worms, detaching them from the mucous membrane of the intestinal tract and completely excreting them throughout the day together with excrement. Decaris is an immunomodulatory agent that exhibits a regenerating result.

Decaris is recognized as a toxic substance, for this reason it is often prescribed when roundworms and necatoria are detected. For children over 3 years of age, the medicine is available in tablets containing levamisole (50 mg).

Ergamizole also eliminates parasites. Contains Levamisole hydrochloride. It can be prescribed to a child over 3 years of age. The medicine is considered similar to Levamisole.

How to store the medicine

The temperature should be room temperature, the storage area should be dry and dark. The medicine should be stored in places inaccessible to children and animals. Expiration date is 3 years from the date of issue.

Popular Prevention and treatment of cytomegalovirus with Ganciclovir

Contraindications

Levamisole is not prescribed if hypersensitivity to the active substance or additional ingredients is noted. There are also contraindications for agranulocytosis caused by drug treatment.

The product is not used to treat children under 3 years of age. Dosage 150 mg - only for adults.

During the course, the concentration of leukocytes in the blood is monitored. So, if 10 hours after the first tablet (150 mg) the indicator drops below 3 billion/l, then treatment is canceled. The same, with a decrease in the concentration of neutrophil granulocytes to 1 billion/l and below.

For pregnant and nursing mothers

As the instructions say, there have been no adequate studies on the use of the drug in pregnant women. Experiments on rats and rabbits showed that the active substance does not have an effect on the fetus that would lead to morphological abnormalities and developmental defects (experimental dosage - up to 180 mg per 1 kg per day). However, the highest dose still produced an embryotoxic effect. Therefore, the possible benefits to the mother and the risk to the fetus are taken into account.

There is no information about whether the drug can be excreted in breast milk. But according to research results, particles of the active substance were found in cow's milk. Therefore, breastfeeding is stopped during treatment.

Special instructions for use

Levamisole shows effectiveness where stimulation of the immune system is required. However, it is used with caution if there are clear indications for this. One of the conditions is a proven decrease in the activity of the T-immune system.

Decaris requires careful calculation of doses. If the dose is higher or lower, an immunosuppressive effect is possible, that is, a decrease in the body's defenses. Before starting the course, it is advisable to exclude pregnancy; women of childbearing age should use contraception.

Decaris is prescribed with caution for the following diseases and conditions:

• liver and kidney diseases;
• depressed hematopoiesis, infectious diseases;
• autoimmune diseases;
• cerebrovascular disorders (diseases associated with cerebrovascular accidents) - atherosclerosis, arterial hypertension and others.

If flu-like symptoms (fever, general weakness, chills, nausea) or other unusual sensations appear, the patient should consult a doctor as soon as possible.

During the course, it is necessary to refrain from drinking alcoholic beverages. With simultaneous anticoagulant therapy (aimed at reducing the formation of blood clots), doses are carefully calculated.

Levamisole: price and sale

The drug is quite common in Russia. The drug Levamisole can be bought in almost every pharmacy, or you can order it online. The price of Levamisole is almost the same everywhere, and if it differs, it is very insignificant. There is one caveat: do not buy the drug from someone else. At the moment, there is quite a large number of counterfeit products on the mold market and you can buy a fake. Be sure to ask the seller for a product conformity certificate. Levamisole, reviews of which are very controversial (there are both positive and negative), should be taken with great caution, because it causes many side effects and has contraindications, and this must be done under the close supervision of doctors.

Side effects

Typically, a single dose of medication does not cause significant side effects in adults and children. With repeated use of Dekaris, the risk of the following adverse events from various systems and organs increases:

• gastrointestinal tract: stomatitis, nausea - with or without vomiting, loose stools, abdominal pain;
• nervous system: headache, convulsions, dizziness, sleep disturbances, confusion, tremor, depression, severe ataxia (impaired coordination of movements), nightmares, when using high doses - convulsions;
• musculoskeletal system: myalgia, arthralgia (respectively, soreness in muscles, bones);
• allergic reactions: skin rashes;
• others: agranulocytosis (decrease in the level of leukocytes due to granulocytes and monocytes, while increasing susceptibility to bacterial and fungal infections), disorders of the kidneys, increased body temperature, uterine bleeding.

Side effects are not a requirement, but the possibility exists and should be taken into account.

Dosage

Levamisole is taken orally during meals with a small amount of water.

The dose and regimen of Dekaris depends on the patient’s age and disease (see table).

Directions for use in adults

Children's doses

To expel worms in children, Levamisole is prescribed at a dose of 2.5 mg per 1 kg of body. Treatment, if necessary, is repeated after 7 days.