Anthelmintic
An anthelmintic ( worming agent , vermicide , vermicidum or vermifugum ) is a drug against worm infections that is used in the disease of helminthiasis , the worm disease caused by intestinal worms (dehelminths) . As a rule, these are substances that act as a specific poison in the metabolism of worms (helminths or helminths, from Greek ἕλμινς, genitive ἕλμινθος - worm). The administration of an anthelmintic is also known as deworming .
Mechanisms of Action
Mebendazole works against roundworms ( nematodes ). It attaches itself to the microtubules of the worm cell and thus prevents the development of the spindle apparatus for cell division . It thus has the same mechanism of action as the gout therapeutic colchicine , but mebendazole is largely specific for the microtubules of worm cells. It shouldn't be used during pregnancy .
Praziquantel is effective against tapeworms (cestodes) and against bilharzia . It opens the calcium channels in the worm cell's cell membrane . Calcium mediates muscle contraction in contractile cells . With this, praziquantel leads to a permanent contraction of the muscle tube of the worm body. It can cause stomach aches and headaches .
Active ingredients
Other wormers are: albendazole , diethylcarbamazine , fenbendazole , flubendazole , ivermectin , levamisole , metrifonate , niclosamide , oxamniquin , oxantel , piperazine , pyrantel , pyrvinium , thiabendazole , pyrvinium embonate .
In terms of natural means, various plants are known as worm herbs .
See also
- roundworm
- Schistosomiasis (schistosomiasis)
- Pinworm
