Anti-Helminth Drugs

Question 1

What is the drug of choice for hookworms?

Answer 1

Albendazole- single dose

Question 2

What is the drug of choice for pinworm?

Answer 2

Mebendazole

Question 3

For a heavy worm burden of Ascaris, what drug is the best choice? Why?

Answer 3

Pyrantel

Paralyzes worms prior to their expulsion

Question 4

Drug of choice for amebiasis?

Answer 4

Metronidazole (For E. histolytica)

Question 5

What drug should be used for giardiasis?

Answer 5

Tinidazole

Question 6

What drugs should be used for larval and adult forms of tapeworm infections?

Answer 6

Larvae- Albendazole

Adult- Praziquantel

Question 7

DOC for Schistosomiasis?

Answer 7

Praziquantel

Question 8

When would Ivermectin be contraindicated? Why?

Answer 8

In meningitis–> It can cross the BBB when it is disrupted and act on GABA-gated Cl- channels in humans

Question 9

What drug should be used for microfilariae infections?

Answer 9

Ivermectin

Question 10

What is the DOC for pinworm? (Enterobius vermicularis)

Answer 10

Mebendazole (stays in GI tract)

Question 11

What is the DOC for hookworms?

Answer 11

Albendazole (good for tissue-dwelling helminths)

Question 12

What is the MOA of Albendazole and Mebendazole?

Answer 12

Binds to parasite B-tubulin and disrupts microtubule polymerization

Question 13

How is metronidazole activated?

Answer 13

By the pyruvate-ferredoxin oxidoreductase action of pathogens without mitochondria (C. diff, entomoeba, etc)