Category: Parasitology

Globally, scabies affects over 200 million people at any given time, making effective treatments crucial [1.11.1, 1.11.2]. This guide answers the question, 'What drugs are acaricides?', by detailing the medications used to kill ticks and mites, which are responsible for such widespread infestations.

Originally developed for veterinary use in the 1960s, oxyclozanide is a salicylanilide anthelmintic highly effective against adult liver and rumen flukes in ruminants like cattle, sheep, and goats. However, recent studies have uncovered additional potential applications, including antibacterial and anti-biofilm activity.

The World Health Organization (WHO) regularly recommends albendazole for mass drug administration in areas endemic for soil-transmitted helminths. However, in clinical practice, the question remains: **is albendazole the best dewormer** for every parasitic infection and patient?

An estimated 1.5 billion people, or 24% of the world's population, are infected with soil-transmitted helminths (parasitic worms) worldwide [1.4.6]. The critical question for many is, 'What's the best deworming medication?' The answer depends heavily on the type of worm and the host.

Despite both being used as antiparasitic medications, fenbendazole and ivermectin belong to entirely different drug classes, with distinct mechanisms of action and target parasites. Understanding this key difference is critical for ensuring safe and effective treatment in veterinary medicine.

Ivermectin's effectiveness is based on its targeted action against specific invertebrate nerve and muscle cells; however, certain classes of parasites inherently lack this molecular target. This limitation means some parasites are naturally resistant, while others have developed resistance through evolutionary pressure. This article details what parasites are not affected by ivermectin and the critical reasons behind its limitations.

Albendazole, an FDA-approved antihelminthic medication, is primarily used to treat neurocysticercosis and cystic hydatid disease, which are infections caused by tapeworm larvae. It is also employed for a wide range of other parasitic infections. A clear understanding of **what is the use of albendazole tablet** is crucial for patients and caregivers.

Metronidazole is a commonly prescribed medication for treating giardiasis, the infection caused by the *Giardia* parasite. However, like any medication, its success rate can vary depending on factors such as the specific *Giardia* strain and whether resistance has developed.

Niclosamide, the active ingredient in niclosan tablets, is an oral anthelmintic drug that has been used for over 50 years to treat intestinal tapeworm infections in millions of people and animals worldwide. This medication works by targeting the parasite's energy production, and recent studies suggest potential broader applications beyond its traditional use.

First utilized for its anti-helminthic properties in the 1950s, piperazine is a compound with a wide range of applications. What is piperazine used for extends beyond its initial purpose, from treating parasitic infections in animals to serving as a building block for various pharmaceuticals and industrial materials.