← Search & browse all drugs
ANTIPARASITIC PRODUCTS, INSECTICIDES AND REPELLENTS › ANTHELMINTICS › ANTINEMATODAL AGENTS › Tetrahydropyrimidine derivatives
oxantel
P02CC02
Forms & Strengths
- Oral suspension: 50 mg/mL
- Tablet: 100 mg
- Tablet: 250 mg
Adult Dosing
- Trichuriasis (Whipworm): 10 to 20 mg/kg single dose, or up to 10 mg/kg daily for 3 days
- Mixed soil-transmitted helminth infections: Dosed per local parasitic treatment protocols, often combined with albendazole or pyrantel
Pediatric Dosing
- Children > 2 years: 10 to 20 mg/kg single oral dose
- Safety and efficacy in infants under 2 years not well established
Indications
- Treatment of Trichuris trichiura (whipworm) infection
- Management of soil-transmitted helminthiasis (often in mass drug administration programs)
Mechanism of Action
- Cholinergic agonist at the neuromuscular junction of nematodes
- Causes depolarization-induced muscle contraction leading to spastic paralysis and expulsion of the parasite
Contraindications
- Hypersensitivity to oxantel or related pamoate compounds
- Severe hepatic impairment (use with caution)
Adverse Reactions
- Gastrointestinal: Mild abdominal pain, cramps, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea
- Central Nervous System: Transient headache, dizziness, drowsiness
Drug Interactions
- Pyrantel pamoate: Synergistic or additive neuromuscular blocking effects if co-administered
- Piperazine: Antagonistic effect; avoid concurrent use as piperazine causes flaccid paralysis counteracting oxantel
Curated Content: Needs Vetting Before Put to Clinical Use