From the Guidelines
Anti-filarial Medications
Anti-filarial medications primarily include diethylcarbamazine (DEC), ivermectin, and albendazole as key agents in the treatment of various filarial infections [ 1 ].
- Diethylcarbamazine (DEC) is often used for the treatment of lymphatic filariasis and loiasis but requires careful administration due to potential severe reactions in individuals co-infected with onchocerciasis [ 1 ].
- Ivermectin is an alternative, especially in areas where onchocerciasis is endemic, and it has been shown to have a role in reducing microfilarial loads [ 1 ].
- Albendazole is commonly used in combination with ivermectin for the treatment of lymphatic filariasis and can also help reduce microfilarial loads in loiasis [ 1 ]. More recently, moxidectin has been approved for the treatment of onchocerciasis, offering superior clinical efficacy and a better safety profile compared to ivermectin [ 1 ].
Treatment Regimens
- For lymphatic filariasis, the treatment may involve DEC or ivermectin, often in combination with albendazole.
- For loiasis, DEC is typically used, but with caution in individuals with high microfilarial loads, where corticosteroids may be necessary [ 1 ].
- For onchocerciasis, ivermectin is commonly used, with moxidectin emerging as a potentially more effective alternative [ 1 ].
From the FDA Drug Label
Ivermectin is active against various life-cycle stages of many but not all nematodes. It is active against the tissue microfilariae of Onchocerca volvulus but not against the adult form. Anti-filarial medications are drugs that treat filarial infections, such as those caused by Onchocerca volvulus and Strongyloides stercoralis.
- Ivermectin is an example of an anti-filarial medication, as it is active against the tissue microfilariae of Onchocerca volvulus and the intestinal stages of Strongyloides stercoralis 2 2.
From the Research
Anti-Filarial Medications
Anti-filarial medications are used to treat and control lymphatic filariasis, a disease caused by filarial parasites. The following are some examples of anti-filarial medications:
Mechanism of Action
These medications work by killing microfilariae, the larval stage of the filarial parasite, and reducing the production of new microfilariae. For example:
- Ivermectin kills 96% of microfilariae and reduces microfilaria production by 82% 5
- DEC kills 57% of microfilariae and reduces microfilaria production by 67% 5
- Albendazole may have a limited effect on microfilaraemia, but its role in the chemotherapy of lymphatic filariasis is still undefined 6, 7
Treatment Regimens
Anti-filarial medications can be used alone or in combination with other medications. For example: