Diethylcarbamazine

Diethylcarbamazine is used to treat certain parasitic diseases caused by infection with roundworms of the Filarioidea type, including lymphatic filariasis caused by infection with Wuchereria bancrofti, Brugia malayi, or Brugia timori; tropical pulmonary eosinophilia; and loiasis.

Diethylcarbamazine is not commercially available in the U.S.

Diethylcarbamazine is available under the following different brand names: Hetrazan.

• Not commercially available in the U.S.
• Diethylcarbamazine is available from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) Drug Service for patients via an investigational new drug (IND) protocol for treatment of certain filarial diseases, including lymphatic filariasis caused by infection with Wuchereria bancrofti, Brugia malayi, or Brugia timori; tropical pulmonary eosinophilia; and loiasis
• It is also available for prophylactic use in persons determined to be at increased risk for Loa loa infection

Filarial Diseases

IND protocol from CDC available for treatment of certain filarial diseases, including lymphatic filariasis caused by infection with Wuchereria bancrofti, Brugia malayi, or Brugia timori.

• 2-4 g/day orally

Adult:

• Day 1: 50 mg orally after meals
• Day 2: 50 mg orally three times daily
• Day 3: 100 mg orally three times daily
• Day 4-14: 6 mg/kg/day orally divided three times daily

Pediatric:

• Day 1: 1 mg/kg orally after meals
• Day 2: 1 mg/kg orally three times daily
• Day 3: 1-2 mg/kg orally three times daily
• Day 4-14: 6 mg/kg/day orally divided three times daily

Loa Loa

Adult

• Day 1: 50 mg orally after meals
• Day 2: 50 mg orally three times daily
• Day 3: 100 mg orally three times daily
• Day 4-21: 9 mg/kg/day orally divided three times daily

M. Streptocerca

• 6 mg/kg orally once daily for 14 days

Tropical Pulmonary Eosinophilia - Adult and Pediatric

• IND protocol from CDC available for treatment of tropical pulmonary eosinophilia
• Pulmonary eosinophilia, tropical: 6 mg/kg/day divided three times daily for 14 days

Larva Migrans, Visceral - Adult and Pediatric

• 6 mg/kg/day orally divided three times daily for 7-10 days

Common side effects of diethylcarbamazine include:

• Fever
• GI disturbances

Rare side effects of diethylcarbamazine include:

• Brain disease (encephalopathy)

This document does not contain all possible side effects and others may occur. Check with your physician for additional information about side effects.

If your doctor has directed you to use this medication, your doctor or pharmacist may already be aware of any possible drug interactions and may be monitoring you for them. Do not start, stop, or change the dosage of any medicine before checking with your doctor, health care provider or pharmacist first.

Diethylcarbamazine has no listed severe interactions with other drugs.

Diethylcarbamazine has no listed serious interactions with other drugs.

Diethylcarbamazine has moderate interactions with at least 71 different drugs.

Diethylcarbamazine has mild interactions with at least 101 different drugs.

Warnings

This medication contains diethylcarbamazine. Do not take Hetrazan if you are allergic to diethylcarbamazine or any ingredients contained in this drug.

Contraindications

• No studies reported

Effects of Drug Abuse

• No information available.

Short-Term Effects

• See "What Are Side Effects Associated with Using Diethylcarbamazine?"

Long-Term Effects

• See "What Are Side Effects Associated with Using Diethylcarbamazine?"

Cautions

• No information available.

Pregnancy and Lactation

Do not use diethylcarbamazine in pregnancy. The risks involved outweigh potential benefits. Safer alternatives exist.

It is not known if diethylcarbamazine is excreted in breast milk. Consult your doctor.