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ANTIPARASITIC PRODUCTS, INSECTICIDES AND REPELLENTS › ANTIPROTOZOALS › AGENTS AGAINST AMOEBIASIS AND OTHER PROTOZOAL DISEASES › Other agents against amoebiasis and other protozoal diseases
dehydroemetine
P01AX09
Forms & Strengths
- Injection: 30 mg/mL in 1 mL ampoules
Adult Dosing
- Amebic dysentery: 1 to 1.5 mg/kg/day (maximum 60 to 80 mg daily) by deep subcutaneous or intramuscular injection for 4 to 6 days
Pediatric Dosing
- Safety and efficacy in pediatric patients not well established; use generally avoided or restricted to severe, refractory cases under specialist supervision with weight-based dosing
Indications
- Treatment of severe intestinal amebiasis (amebic dysentery)
- Treatment of hepatic amebiasis when other safer agents are ineffective or contraindicated
Mechanism of Action
- Inhibits protein synthesis in Entamoeba histolytica by blocking polypeptide chain elongation, leading to parasite death
Contraindications
- Pre-existing cardiac disease or arrhythmias
- Pre-existing renal disease
- Pregnancy and lactation
- Hypersensitivity to dehydroemetine or emetine derivatives
Adverse Reactions
- Cardiotoxicity (myocardial damage, ECG changes, hypotension, heart failure, tachycardia)
- Neuromuscular weakness and stiffness
- Gastrointestinal distress (nausea, vomiting, diarrhea)
- Injection site pain, tenderness, and sterile abscesses
Drug Interactions
- Increased risk of cardiotoxicity and arrhythmias with other cardiotoxic drugs (e.g., chloroquine, antiarrhythmics)
- Additive neuromuscular blockade with muscle relaxants
- Potentiation of cardiotoxic effects with tricyclic antidepressants or antipsychotics
Curated Content: Needs Vetting Before Put to Clinical Use