Levamisole is one of the most unique medicines. Its peculiarity lies in the fact that it can positively affect the human body in two cases: with chemotherapy, as well as with infection with helminths that poison a person from the inside. What diseases is this drug prescribed for, and how does this medication work in every situation? We’ll talk about this today. In addition, analogues of the drug and reviews of doctors will be presented to your attention.
What is the drug?
Levamisole, reviews of which we will consider below, is a drug whose main active ingredient is levamisole hydrochloride. It effectively affects roundworm, pinworms, toxoplasma and other helminths. The principle by which the medicine copes with worms is the blocking of nerve nodes in parasites, which as a result leads to complete paralysis of the muscles of these creatures. After the onset of paralysis, the helminth is no longer able to attach to the walls of human organs, therefore within a day it leaves the human body naturally.
In addition to the above properties, Levamisole copes with the normalization of the immune system in humans. When patients undergo radiation therapy or chemistry, they are necessarily prescribed immunomodulating drugs. It is known that after such manipulations, the human immune system is very affected. In this case, one of the most popular medicines is Levamisole. Patient reviews about the drug are positive. But it is worth noting that any prescription of medicines and the selection of their dosage can only be performed by a doctor. And the patient is simply obliged to strictly observe all the recommendations.
The composition of the drug and the form in which it is released
“Levamisole” has a second name - “Dekaris”. It is released in tablets and as a solution for injection. By the way, the drug in the form of an injection is quite actively used in veterinary medicine. They will help to deal with a drug such as Levamisole, instructions for use, reviews.
The tablets are available in blister packs, and the injection is in glass containers or ampoules. The effect of this medication is definitely worth exploring before proceeding with treatment. This will greatly help the feedback of patients who have already tried this tool on themselves. As described above, the main active ingredient is levamisole hydrochloride, and the following components are auxiliary components:
- corn starch;
- calcium;
- magnesium;
- lactose;
- talc;
- sodium starch glycolate.
What diseases are prescribed?
Worms? “Levamisole” will help to cope with this task. Reviews confirm this. This tool is very effective and proven. This drug is used in the presence of the following types of helminths:
- necators;
- roundworms;
- hookworms;
- strongilars;
- trichostrongilars and other parasites.
This drug copes well not only with helminths, it also has an immunomodulating effect. Moreover, this medication is often used in infectious therapy, as well as in the treatment of cancer.
The drug "Levamisole 7.5" (fl. 50ml) receives mostly positive reviews. It is prescribed to combat the following pathologies:
- recurrent herpesvirus infection;
- hepatitis of viral origin;
- chronic hepatitis B;
- Reuters defect;
- Khozhkin's defect during remission;
- after surgical treatment of malignant neoplasms in the area of the mammary gland, large intestine and bronchi.
Only a specialist has the right to prescribe the drug "Levamisole". The tablets that patients leave reviews are quite effective, however, self-medication is a rather stupid idea. If a person is in the hospital, the doctor will complete the appointment, but if there are suspicions of helminths, then it is imperative to pass tests and only then you can get medical advice.
Contraindications
Despite the uniqueness and effectiveness, Levamisole has contraindications for use, namely:
- acute leukemic form;
- renal or liver failure;
- impaired blood circulation in the brain;
- women during lactation and pregnancy;
- children under the age of 14;
- any person who has hypersensitivity to the drug "Levamisole".
"Dekaris" (reviews on this subject are available) can sometimes provoke a person to have an allergic reaction in the form of a rash on the skin. In rare cases, dermatitis can also occur. Sometimes, after taking Levamisole, people had a fever and a fever. In this case, cases of the appearance of obstruction were recorded. Therefore, it will not be amiss to recall that taking this remedy without first consulting a doctor is highly undesirable.
How to use the drug?
First of all, this drug is strictly not recommended to be used without the appointment of a doctor, since this medication has many side effects, and in some cases severe pathologies can develop. To get rid of worms, Levamisole is used once a day before bedtime. It is necessary to use it according to a certain schedule. One tablet of this product contains 150 mg of active substance. Therefore, a single dosage is calculated according to the weight of the person who plans treatment with this drug.
Adults, regardless of body weight, take 150 mg of the drug at a time, that is, one tablet. To avoid re-infection with helminths, you must again take the medication. In this case, the repeated procedure is carried out no earlier than three weeks later, after consulting with the doctor.
And in order to get an immunomodulatory effect from Levamisole, it should be taken in courses. For three days, 50 mg of this drug is consumed. Then take a break for 2 weeks, and conduct the course again. It is worth noting that in some cases, the doctor may prescribe a single use of this medication, then a multiple dose will be 150 mg. Confirms the effectiveness of the drug "Levamisole" instruction. Reviews in this regard are also positive. It is very important to adhere to one rule while taking such a drug: a person who uses Levamisole should avoid ethanol, since this substance can cause negative reactions on the part of the body. And the very first is intoxication.
The medicine "Levamisole Plus 10" reviews has good. This is a veterinary drug that is used to get rid of helminths in birds, pigs and other domestic animals.
Side effects
Like any other drug, Levamisole can cause side effects in humans. In some cases, there may simply be a heaviness in the stomach, which will immediately pass as soon as the course of treatment is over. And sometimes more complex symptoms can be observed, namely:
- nausea and vomiting;
- severe diarrhea;
- epigastric pain;
- the appearance of small ulcers in the oral cavity;
- pancreatitis
Moreover, if therapeutic therapy with this tool lasts a long time, the following symptoms may appear in a person:
- severe headaches;
- general weakness of the body;
- disturbances in sense of smell;
- manifestation of hyperthermia;
- leg cramps;
- sleep disorder;
- rashes on the skin;
- changes in the chemical composition of blood;
- impaired renal function.
If at least one of the above symptoms appears, then taking this medication should be stopped immediately and consult a doctor for advice. A specialist will be able to choose an analogue of this drug, which is suitable for a person and does not cause negative reactions from the body. This confirms the instructions for use for the drug "Levamisole".
Analogs
To date, the pharmaceutical market has several synonyms that can replace this drug. All of them cope very well with the task and can be prescribed in the case when Levamisole is impossible to acquire, or it causes adverse reactions in the human body. Under the synonym for medication is meant the same active substance, which is able to replace the main medication in case of all of the above problems.
We examined how the instructions for use describe “Levamisole”. Patient reviews indicate the high effectiveness of some drug substitutes. Among them are:
- Ergamizole.
- Levazole.
- Sitrax.
- "Casidrol".
- Derinat.
- "ADS-atoxin."
- Neovir.
- "Lycopid."
These medicines exactly repeat the effect of Levamisole. Many patients used them in their treatment. Yes, and about the drug "Levamisole" reviews of parasitologists are good. But at the same time, do not forget that each remedy has its own contraindications and side effects. Analogs were created so that the drug could be replaced in case of unpleasant symptoms. Only a doctor can perform such a replacement and calculate the necessary dosage for the patient, so you can’t replace yourself.
Overdose Symptoms
If you exceed the indicated dosage, then a person will begin to develop poisoning of the body within a couple of hours. The first signs pointing to this fact will be nausea and vomiting, dizziness, diarrhea, and severe cramping. Further, if measures are not taken in time, the following symptoms will appear: confusion, severe headaches and a high likelihood of lethargy.
An overdose of the body requires a cleansing of the gastrointestinal tract. Such treatment includes a whole range of procedures. First of all, they do gastric lavage with a mandatory enema. In parallel, therapeutic therapy is prescribed with the control of all vital signs of the affected person. Sometimes, due to an overdose, an anticholinesterase reaction may develop, in which case administration of atropine is mandatory.
As a rule, with timely assistance, all possible complications can be avoided. The main task of the victim is to immediately go to the hospital. It is always necessary to remember that overdose is much easier to cope with if assistance is provided on time. Thus, we can hope that this fact will not bring any complications.
Some features
If this medication is used once, then there is no need to take a laxative or an additional remedy from the diet therapy group. During treatment, drinking alcohol is highly undesirable. Sometimes such actions can lead to poisoning of the body. Confirms such an action of the drug "Levamisole" instructions for use. Reviews also do not bypass this issue. Doctors warn that alcohol in combination with medication can adversely affect human health.
Levamisole is recommended to use Levamisole very carefully, as there is lactose in this medicine, which not everyone can tolerate. If it is possible to use the replacement of this drug, then it is much easier to do so and thereby avoid possible side effects. In the process of therapeutic therapy, the white blood cell count in the blood should be regularly monitored.
This drug has many limitations during use with other drugs, namely:
- when taking Levamisole, the simultaneous use of Pirantel should be avoided, since overdose and poisoning may develop from such a tandem;
- if the drug is used together with “Phenotoin”, then its effect will increase significantly;
- with the interaction of “Doxorubicin” with “Levamisole”, intoxication of the body may occur;
- if taken together with Amphotericin-B, then such a tandem will lead to the development of bronchospasm.
This is described only a small fraction of the drugs. Therefore, when a doctor prescribes this drug for treatment, and a person takes other medications, they must be notified to a specialist in order to avoid unpleasant consequences and protect their own health. Before taking any remedy, always consult your doctor, as sometimes even the most harmless drugs can do great harm. So the drug “Levamisole” turned out to be so unsafe.
Doctors reviews
Reviews about the drug are abundant. Parasitologists confirm the effectiveness of the medication. Side effects do not occur so often, but it is not worth taking the drug as a preventive measure. If there is a suspicion of the presence of worms, experts recommend taking tests. If the diagnosis is confirmed, Levamisole or a similar drug should be taken. But it is imperative to comply with the dosage regimen prescribed by the doctor, or familiarize yourself with it in the instructions for use. About the drug "Levamisole" reviews of doctors are mostly positive. If nevertheless there are adverse reactions, you must immediately stop taking the medication and consult a doctor. The specialist will choose another remedy for treatment.
Conclusion
Levamisole is a drug that really helps to cope with many problems. But it is necessary to use it carefully, since this remedy has a lot of contraindications and side effects. Do not recommend using Levamisole on its own.
Reviews, analogues and properties of the drug we reviewed. Now it’s clear that taking such medications is possible only as prescribed by the doctor. However, some people do this for prevention. This approach is not entirely true, because you can harm your own body. Therefore, before deciding on the use, it is worth visiting a doctor to get a detailed consultation. We should not forget that self-medication can turn into big problems in the future. Take care of yourself and your health!