Anthelminthic Drugs Used in Pediatrics
This page contains detailed information about various anti-helminthic drugs used in pediatrics. Anti-helminthic drugs are essential medications used to treat infections caused by parasitic worms, known as helminths. These drugs are classified based on the type of helminths they target and their mechanism of action, ensuring effective treatment for different parasitic infections.
In the following sections, you will find information on individual anti-helminthic drugs, including their dosage, actions, uses, indications, and contraindications. This resource aims to provide comprehensive knowledge to assist healthcare professionals and caregivers in understanding and utilizing these medications for pediatric patients effectively.
Classification of AntHelminthic Drugs
Anthelminthic drugs are medications used to treat infections caused by parasitic worms, also known as helminths. These drugs can be classified based on the type of helminths they target and their mechanism of action. Here is an overview of the main classifications:
1. By Targeted Helminths
- Nematodes (Roundworms): Drugs like Albendazole, Mebendazole, and Ivermectin are commonly used to treat infections caused by roundworms such as Ascaris lumbricoides (roundworm), Enterobius vermicularis (pinworm), and Ancylostoma duodenale (hookworm).
- Cestodes (Tapeworms): Praziquantel and Albendazole are effective against various tapeworms, including Taenia saginata (beef tapeworm) and Taenia solium (pork tapeworm).
- Trematodes (Flukes): Praziquantel is widely used to treat infections caused by flukes such as Schistosoma species (schistosomiasis) and Fasciola hepatica (liver fluke).
2. By Mechanism of Action
- Microtubule Inhibitors: Albendazole and Mebendazole work by inhibiting the polymerization of tubulin, disrupting the formation of microtubules essential for the worms' glucose uptake and survival.
- Neurotransmission Inhibitors: Ivermectin binds to glutamate-gated chloride ion channels in nerve and muscle cells of parasites, causing paralysis and death of the worms.
- Membrane Permeabilizers: Praziquantel increases the permeability of cell membranes to calcium ions, leading to muscle contraction, paralysis, and death of the parasites.
3. By Spectrum of Activity
- Broad-Spectrum AntHelminthics: Drugs like Albendazole and Mebendazole are effective against a wide range of helminths, including nematodes and cestodes.
- Narrow-Spectrum AntHelminthics: Ivermectin is primarily used for nematodes and ectoparasites, while Praziquantel is mainly used for cestodes and trematodes.
Understanding the classification of anthelminthic drugs helps in selecting the appropriate treatment based on the type of parasitic infection and the specific characteristics of the drugs.
Albendazole
Dosage: For children over 2 years of age, the typical dose is 400 mg as a single dose for most common parasitic infections. For certain infections, the dose may be repeated after a few weeks or given over several days.
Actions: Albendazole works by inhibiting the polymerization of tubulin, which is essential for microtubule formation in parasites. This disrupts the parasite's ability to absorb glucose, leading to energy depletion and death of the parasite.
Uses and Indications: Albendazole is used to treat a variety of helminth infections including ascariasis (roundworm), enterobiasis (pinworm), trichuriasis (whipworm), and hookworm. It is also effective against tapeworms and certain flukes.
Contraindications: Albendazole should not be used in children with known hypersensitivity to the drug or any component of its formulation. It should be used with caution in children with liver disease and bone marrow suppression.
Mebendazole
Dosage: For children over 2 years, the typical dose is 100 mg twice daily for 3 days for common infections. For pinworm, a single dose of 100 mg is often sufficient.
Actions: Mebendazole inhibits the synthesis of microtubules in parasitic worms by binding to tubulin, disrupting glucose uptake and causing depletion of glycogen stores, leading to parasite death.
Uses and Indications: Mebendazole is effective in treating infections caused by pinworm, roundworm, whipworm, and hookworm. It is also used for mixed infections involving these parasites.
Contraindications: Contraindicated in children with known hypersensitivity to mebendazole or its components. It should not be used in children with liver disease or during pregnancy unless absolutely necessary.
Ivermectin
Dosage: For children weighing 15 kg or more, the typical dose is 150-200 mcg/kg as a single dose. The exact dosage may vary based on the specific parasitic infection being treated.
Actions: Ivermectin binds to glutamate-gated chloride ion channels in nerve and muscle cells of parasites, causing hyperpolarization, paralysis, and death of the parasite.
Uses and Indications: Ivermectin is used to treat various parasitic infections, including strongyloidiasis, onchocerciasis (river blindness), and ectoparasitic infections like scabies and head lice.
Contraindications: Ivermectin should not be used in children with a known hypersensitivity to the drug. It is also contraindicated in children with meningitis or other central nervous system diseases.
Praziquantel
Dosage: For children, the dose varies depending on the type of infection. For schistosomiasis, a typical dose is 20 mg/kg given three times a day. The exact dosage regimen should be determined by a healthcare provider.
Actions: Praziquantel increases the permeability of the cell membranes of parasites to calcium ions, causing contraction and paralysis of the worms' muscles, leading to detachment and death of the parasites.
Uses and Indications: Praziquantel is used to treat schistosomiasis, liver flukes, and other fluke infections. It is also effective against tapeworm infections.
Contraindications: Praziquantel should not be used in children with known hypersensitivity to the drug. It should be used with caution in children with hepatic impairment or a history of seizures.
