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Antifilarial

Diethylcarbamazine

Brand names: Hetrazan (specialist import)

Diethylcarbamazine is an antiparasitic agent used in the treatment of lymphatic filariasis and certain other filarial infections such as loiasis.

Dosing — being independently re-sourced

ClinCalc Pro is rebuilding its dose data from primary open sources — the manufacturer SmPC (eMC), the WHO Model Formulary and other official references — under clinician review. This drug's structured dose is not yet published here. Confirm all doses against the product SmPC and your local formulary before prescribing.

Clinical monograph

How it works

It immobilises microfilariae and alters their surface, making them more susceptible to host immune destruction, and also has direct activity against adult filarial worms.

Prescribing in practice

  • In patients with high microfilarial loads, particularly in onchocerciasis or heavy Loa loa infection, treatment can precipitate severe reactions including encephalopathy, so it is generally avoided or used with great caution in these settings.
  • Treatment commonly provokes systemic and local inflammatory reactions as parasites are killed.
  • It is used under specialist guidance with assessment of the specific filarial species and parasite burden.

Monitoring

Monitor for systemic and neurological reactions during treatment, especially in patients with a high parasite burden.

Counselling the patient

  • Fever, headache, itching, or muscle aches may occur as the parasites are killed and should be reported if severe.
  • Attend follow-up so that response to treatment can be assessed.

Evidence & guidelines

Use reflects long-established practice in tropical medicine and WHO programmes for the control of lymphatic filariasis.

Reference: WHO NTD guidelines; UKHSA imported infections; Drug verified in RxNorm (NLM); confirm dosing against the manufacturer SPC (eMC). Verify against your local formulary and current prescribing references before prescribing. Monograph status: clinician-reviewed (2026-07-04).

Related

Curated clinical cross-links plus same-class fallbacks.

Pathways