Niclosamide

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Niclosamide
Systematic (IUPAC) name
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Identifiers
CAS number 50-65-7
ATC code P02DA01
PubChem 4477
Chemical data
Formula C13H8Cl2N2O4 
Mol. mass 327.119 g/mol
Pharmacokinetic data
Bioavailability  ?
Metabolism  ?
Half life  ?
Excretion  ?
Therapeutic considerations
Pregnancy cat.

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Legal status
Routes  ?

Niclosamide (trade name Niclocide) is a teniacide ("tenia-" referring to tapeworm) in the anthelmintic family especially effective against cestodes that infect humans. It is also used as a piscicide.It is stressed that while anthelmintics are a drug familiy used to treat worm infections, Niclosamide is used specifically to treat tapeworms and is not effective against worms such as pinworms or roundworms. It is a chewable tablet taken orally, dosage depending on type of worm and patient's age and/or weight. Niclosamide molecules are lethal to tapeworms upon contact.

[edit] Side effects

The medication can have side effects such as abdominal pain, anorexia, diarrhea, and emesis. Rarely, dizziness, skin rash, drowsiness, perianal itching, and an unpleasant taste.

[edit] Mechanism of action

According to an article in Nature,[1] niclosamide uncouples oxidative phosphorylation in the tapeworm.

Praziquantel is another drug of choice which can be used against neurocysticercosis although it can not be used against the brain ventricles of the eye. Rather it can be used against porcine cysticercosis.

[edit] References

  1. ^ Weinbach EC, Garbus J (1969). "Mechanism of action of reagents that uncouple oxidative phosphorylation". Nature 221 (5185): 1016–8. 

* Taber, Clarence Wilbur; Venes, Donald; Thomas, Clayton L. (2001). Taber's cyclopedic medical dictionary. Philadelphia: F.A.Davis Co. *Additional Medication Information:Medline*http://www.drugs.com/cons/Niclosamide.html

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