Antiparasitic Agents

Abstract

A number of effective antiparasitic drugs are currently available. These agents are important both for therapy of infected individual patients and for control of parasitic infections at the community level. This chapter focuses on the mechanisms of action, pharmacology, clinical utility, and adverse effects of common first‐line antiparasitic therapies and newer drug alternatives. Major anthelmintic drugs, namely, albendazole, mebendazole, praziquantel, ivermectin, and diethylcarbamazine, are reviewed in detail, as is the newly approved moxidectin. Nitazoxanide, an agent with both anthelmintic and antiprotozoal activity, is also discussed. Major antiprotozoal drugs, including those used for malaria, infections with gastrointestinal protozoa, leishmaniasis, and trypanosomiasis, are also reviewed. Nitazoxanide is a 5‐nitrothiazole derivative with broad‐spectrum activity against numerous intestinal protozoa, helminths, and anaerobic bacteria. Major indications for its use are also shown. It was initially developed as a veterinary anthelmintic with activity against intestinal nematodes, cestodes, and liver trematodes.