Niclosamide belongs to the class of drugs known as anthelmintics. Anthelmintics are medications used to treat worm infestations.
Niclosamide is used to treat infections caused by wide or fish tapeworms, dwarf tapeworms, and beef tapeworms. Niclosamide may also be used to treat other tapeworm infections if your doctor recommends it. It is ineffective against other forms of worm infestations (for example, pinworms or roundworms).
Niclosamide kills tapeworms upon touch. The worms that have been destroyed are then passed in the stool. However, since they are occasionally eliminated in the gut, you may not see them.
Niclosamide is only accessible with a doctor’s prescription.
Prior to utilizing niclosamide
When selecting whether to take a drug, the dangers must be balanced against the benefits. You and your doctor will make this choice. Consider the following while using niclosamide:
Allergies
Inform your doctor if you have ever had an unusual or adverse response to niclosamide or any other medications. Inform your doctor if you have any additional allergies, such as those to foods, colors, preservatives, or animals. When purchasing non-prescription goods, carefully read the label or package contents.
Pediatric Niclosamide has been tried in a small number of children 2 years of age or older and has not been documented to create different side effects or issues in children than it does in adults at effective levels.
Geriatric
Many medications have not been particularly examined in elderly adults. As a result, it is unknown if they operate in the same way in older adults or whether they generate different side effects or issues. There is no particular data comparing niclosamide usage in the elderly to use in other age groups.
Nursing Studies in women indicate that when taken while breastfeeding, this medicine provides no harm to the child.
Medication interactions
Although some drugs should never be taken together, two separate medicines may be used together even if an interaction occurs. In certain circumstances, your doctor may wish to adjust the dosage or take additional measures. Inform your doctor if you are using any other prescription or nonprescription (over-the-counter [OTC]) medications.
Food/tobacco/alcohol interactions
Certain drugs should not be taken at or around the time of eating food, or while consuming certain kinds of food, since interactions may occur. Using alcohol or smoke while taking some medications may also result in interactions. Discuss with your doctor the use of your medication with food, drink, or cigarettes.
Use of niclosamide capsules correctly
There are no specific preparations or extra measures required before, during, or soon after taking niclosamide (for example, special meals, fasting, other drugs, laxatives, or enemas).
Niclosamide is safe to take on an empty stomach (either 1 hour before or 2 hours after a meal). To avoid stomach distress, it is best taken after a light meal (for example, breakfast).
Niclosamide pills should be chewed or broken well before swallowing with a little quantity of water. When giving niclosamide to a young kid, the tablets should be crushed to a fine powder and combined with a tiny quantity of water to produce a paste.
Patients receiving niclosamide for beef tapeworms, wide tapeworms, or fish tapeworms:
Take niclosamide precisely as advised by your doctor to help clear up your infection entirely. Usually, one dosage is sufficient. However, in some cases, a second dosage of niclosamide may be necessary to entirely eliminate the illness.
For patients being treated with niclosamide for dwarf tapeworms:
Even if your symptoms improve after a few days, continue taking niclosamide for the entire duration of therapy (typically 7 days) to help clear up your infection completely. In certain cases, a second round of niclosamide may be necessary to entirely eliminate the illness. Your infection may reappear if you stop taking niclosamide too soon. Don’t skip any dosages. Some people with tapeworm infections may have no or just minor symptoms.
Dosing
The dosage of niclosamide will change depending on the patient. Follow your doctor’s orders or the label’s instructions. The following data only contains average niclosamide dosages.
The quantity of medication you take is determined by the potency of the drug. The number of dosages you take everyday, the duration between doses, and the length of time you take the drug are all determined by the medical issue for which you are taking the medicine.
Adults—2 grams as a single dose for fish tapeworm or beef tapeworm in oral dosage form (tablets). If necessary, the treatment may be repeated in seven days.
Children—The dose is chosen by your doctor and is dependent on body weight.
1 gram as a single dosage for children weighing 11 to 34 kilograms (kg) (24.2 to 74.8 pounds). If necessary, the treatment may be repeated in seven days.
1.5 grams as a single dosage for youngsters weighing more than 34 kg (74.8 pounds). If necessary, the treatment may be repeated in seven days.
Adults: 2 grams per day for seven days for dwarf tapeworm. If necessary, the treatment may be repeated in seven to fourteen days.
Children—The dose is chosen by your doctor and is dependent on body weight.
1 gram on the first day for youngsters weighing 11 to 34 kg (24.2 to 74.8 pounds). Then, for the following six days, 500 milligrams (mg) once a day. If necessary, the treatment may be repeated in seven to fourteen days.
1.5 grams on the first day for toddlers weighing more than 34 kg (74.8 pounds). Then, for the following six days, take 1 gram once a day. If necessary, the treatment may be repeated in seven to fourteen days.
Dose omitted
If you miss a niclosamide dosage, take it as soon as possible. If your next dosage is approaching, omit the missing dose and resume your usual dosing regimen. Do not take two doses.
Storage
Store the medication at room temperature in a well sealed container away from heat, moisture, and direct light. Prevent freezing.
Keep out of children’s reach.
Do not retain expired or no longer required medications.
Precautions to take while taking niclosamide
It is critical that your doctor monitors your progress on a frequent basis. This is to ensure that the virus is totally eradicated.
Consult your doctor if your symptoms do not improve within a few days or worsen.
Side effects of niclosamide capsules
A drug may have certain unintended consequences in addition to its intended benefits. Although not all of these adverse effects are possible, if they occur, they may need medical treatment.
Some adverse effects may develop that might not need medical treatment. These adverse effects may subside as your body responds to the medication. Your doctor may also be able to advise you on how to avoid or mitigate some of these adverse effects. Consult your doctor if any of the following side effects persist or become bothersome, or if you have any concerns about them:
It is less prevalent.
Cramps or discomfort in the abdomen or stomach
lack of appetite due to diarrhea
vomiting or nausea
Rare
Drowsiness, dizziness, or lightheadedness
itching in the lower abdomen
skin rash disagreeable flavor
Other adverse effects that have not been described may occur in some people. Check with your doctor if you detect any additional side effects.
For medical advice on side effects, contact your doctor. You may contact the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 to report adverse effects.
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