2 - Systemic Antiparasitic Agents Flashcards
Ivermectin is a semisynthetic antihelminthic derived from fermentation products of Streptomyces avermitilis
True
Ivermectin has structural similarity to that of macrolide antibacterial agents (erythromycin, clarithromycin, azithromycin)
True
Although topical permethrin appears to be the most effective treatment for scabies, ivermectin appears to be an effective oral agent
True (data considering both cost and efficacy suggests that benzyl benzoate and ivermectin are most cost-effective for the treatment of scabies)
In patients with crusted scabies, the response to oral ivermectin is variable and oral therapy in combination with topical scabicides and keratolytics are advocated
True (ivermectin alone often fails in crusted scabies)
Ivermectin appears comparable or slightly inferior to permethrin in efficacy against non-crusted scabies, but has the convenience of oral dosing
True (ivermectin alone fails in crusted scabies)
Ivermectin is primarily metabolised by CYP3A4 in the liver and excreted in the faeces
True (ivermectin is a substrate of CYP3A4)
As <1% of the administered ivermectin dose is excreted in the urine (mainly faecal excretion), dose adjustment is needed with biliary obstruction but renal failure is not likely to affect metabolism
True (metabolised by the liver and excreted in the faeces)
Bioavailability of ivermectin is increased when the drug is administered with a high-fat meal
True
Ivermectin selectively binds to glutamate-gated chloride ion channels found in invertebrate (parasites) nerve and muscle cells, resulting in increased permeability of cell membranes to chloride ions and hyperpolarisation of the nerve/muscle cell causing death of the parasite
True
Ivermectin is FDA approved in the treatment of intestinal strongyloides specifically caused by Strongyloides stercoralis, and onchocerciasis (river blindness) caused by Onchocerca volvulus
True (scabies is not FDA approved)
Ivermectin is most widely used in dermatology (off label) for the treatment of scabies
True (200 ug/kg as a single dose, then repeated in 7-10 days) - addition of topical keratolytics and topical permethrin in crusted scabies
Ivermectin is used in dermatology (off label) to some extent for the treatment of pediculosis (lice)
True (400 ug/kg as a single dose on Day 1 and Day 8)
Ivermectin is used in dermatology (off label) to some extent for the treatment of cutaneous larva migrans
True
A single dose of Ivermectin has also been used empirically (off label) to reduce the pruritus in homeless populations
True
Ivermectin has been used in the control of hospital and institutional outbreaks of scabies, and may be superior to topical treatment in the setting of mass infestation
True
Ivermectin is commonly associated with Mazzoti-type reactions (oedema, urticarial rash, systemic symptoms and ophthalmological reactions) when used in the treatment of helminthic infestations
True (less common in the setting of scabies)
NB. Mazzoti reactions may be due to allergic and inflammatory responses to the death of microfilariae or to microorganisms within the worms
Ivermectin is commonly associated with pruritus in the setting on helminthic infestation
True (less common in the setting of scabies)
Ivermectin is commonly associated with fever in the setting of helminthic infestation
True (less common in the setting of scabies)
Ivermectin is commonly associated with lymphadenopathy or lymph node tenderness in the setting of helminthic infestation
True (less common in the setting of scabies)
Tachycardia is an infrequent adverse reaction to Ivermectin
True
The Mazzoti reactions commonly associated with ivermectin in patients with onchocerciasis may be due to allergic and inflammatory responses to the death of microfilariae or to microorganisms within the worms
True (doxycycline can eliminate endosymbiotic bacteria within filarial worms, and reducing the incidence of Mazzoti reactions)
Doxycycline can eliminate endosymbiotic bacteria within filarial worms, and reducing the incidence of Mazzoti reactions in patients with onchocerciasis associated with ivermectin treatment
True
Facial oedema is an infrequent adverse reaction to Ivermectin
True
Orthostatic hypotension is an infrequent adverse reaction to Ivermectin
True
Diarrhoea is an infrequent adverse reaction to Ivermectin
True
Nausea is an infrequent adverse reaction to Ivermectin
True
CNS symptoms is a rare adverse reaction to Ivermectin
True
SJS is a rare adverse reaction to Ivermectin
True