Antiparasitic medications are the primary way to kill filarial worms.
Medications Effective Against Filarial Worms
The most common medication used to treat lymphatic filariasis, a disease caused by filarial worms, is diethylcarbamazine citrate (DEC). DEC is effective against both the microfilariae (larval stage) and the adult worms. Another medication, Ivermectin, is effective against the microfilariae of Wuchereria bancrofti, a specific type of filarial worm responsible for lymphatic filariasis.
How These Medications Work
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Diethylcarbamazine (DEC): While the exact mechanism isn't fully understood, DEC is believed to affect the surface membrane of the microfilariae, making them more susceptible to destruction by the host's immune system. It also affects adult worms.
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Ivermectin: Ivermectin paralyzes and kills microfilariae.
Important Considerations
- The late phase of chronic lymphatic filariasis, characterized by conditions like lymphedema (swelling) and elephantiasis (thickening of the skin), is not reversed by antiparasitic treatment. These chronic conditions require separate management strategies, such as hygiene practices, compression therapy, and, in some cases, surgery.
- Treatment regimens and drug choices should be determined by a healthcare professional based on the specific type of filarial worm infection, the severity of the infection, and the patient's overall health.
