Therapeutic Action
Anthelminthic (antifilarial)
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Drug reference
Anthelminthic (antifilarial)
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Lymphatic filariasis
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Do not administer to patients with onchocerciasis or heavy Loa loa microfilareamia; to infants, older patients and patients with heart or renal diseases. Do not administer during acute attacks (risk of severe reactions). Administer with caution in patients with history of seizures. May cause: nausea, vomiting, headache, dizziness, drowsiness, fever, joint pain, urticaria, transient in patients with associated onchocerciasis: severe ocular damages (optic nerve lesions, retinal lesions); in patients with associated loiasis: encephalitis (potentially fatal) if Loa loa microfilaraemia is high. Reduce dosage in patients with renal impairment. Pregnancy: CONTRA-INDICATED (treatment may be deferred until after delivery) Breast-feeding: not recommended
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100 mg breakable tablet
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Child under 10 years: 0.5 mg/kg on D1, then increase the dose gradually over 3 days to 1 mg/kg 3 times daily Child over 10 years and adult: 1 mg/kg on D1, then increase the dose gradually over 3 days to 2 mg/kg 3 times daily
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W. bancrofti: 12 days B. malayi, B. timori: 6 to 12 days
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In countries with a national programme for the elimination of bancroftian filariasis, the combination diethylcarbamazine + albendazole is administered as a single annual dose for 4 to 6 years. This regimen is only suitable for countries that are free from Onchocerca volvulus and/or Loa loa.
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– Between 15 °C and 25 °C
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0.5 mg/kg on D1, then increase the dose gradually over 3 days to 1 mg/kg 3 times daily
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1 mg/kg on D1, then increase the dose gradually over 3 days to 2 mg/kg 3 times daily
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