diethylcarbamazine

Diethylcarbamazine is a synthetic small molecule anthelmintic drug used primarily for the treatment and prevention of filarial diseases such as lymphatic filariasis (caused by Wuchereria bancrofti, Brugia malayi or Brugia timori), loiasis (caused by Loa loa), tropical pulmonary eosinophilia and other related parasitic infections. It works by inhibiting arachidonic acid metabolism in microfilariae—specifically targeting the 5-lipoxygenase and cyclooxygenase pathways—making the parasites more susceptible to phagocytosis and immune attack. The drug does not directly kill adult worms but sensitizes microfilariae to host immune responses. Diethylcarbamazine is no longer FDA-approved or commercially available in the United States but remains widely used globally for mass drug administration programs against lymphatic filariasis[1][5][8].

Brand names

HetrazanCarbilazineCaricideCypipEthodrylNotézineSpatoninFilaribitsBanocide ForteEofil

Other names

diethylcarbamazine