← Search & browse all drugs
ANTIPARASITIC PRODUCTS, INSECTICIDES AND REPELLENTS › ANTHELMINTICS › ANTINEMATODAL AGENTS › Other antinematodals
bephenium
P02CX02
Forms & Strengths
- Granules for oral suspension: 5 g (equivalent to 2.21 g bephenium base) per packet
Adult Dosing
- Ascariasis: 5 g (as base) single oral dose
- Hookworm infection (Ancylostoma duodenale): 5 g daily for 3 consecutive days
- Hookworm infection (Necator americanus): 5 g daily for 3 consecutive days, may be repeated if necessary
Pediatric Dosing
- Children under 2 years or under 10 kg: 2.5 g (half the adult dose) for indicated duration
- Children 2 years and older: 5 g matching adult dosing regimens based on specific parasitic infection
Indications
- Treatment of Ascariasis lumbricoides (roundworm)
- Treatment of Ancylostoma duodenale (old world hookworm)
- Treatment of Necator americanus (new world hookworm)
- Treatment of Trichostrongylus infections
Mechanism of Action
- Acts as a neuromuscular blocking agent in the parasite
- Causes depolarization of the neuromuscular junction in nematodes, leading to spastic paralysis
- Paralyzed worms are subsequently expelled live via normal peristalsis from the gastrointestinal tract
Contraindications
- Known hypersensitivity to bephenium hydroxynaphthoate
- Intestinal obstruction
- Severe renal impairment
Adverse Reactions
- Nausea and vomiting
- Abdominal pain and cramping
- Diarrhea
- Headache and dizziness
- Skin rash (rare)
Drug Interactions
- Pyrantel pamoate: Concomitant use may lead to antagonistic or additive neurotoxic effects
- Purgatives and laxatives: Generally not recommended concurrently to avoid altering gastrointestinal transit time and efficacy
- Antacids: May affect absorption profile of the drug
Curated Content: Needs Vetting Before Put to Clinical Use