Filazine is indicated for Filariasis, Lymphatic filariasis, Pulmonary eosinophilia, Loiasis, Toxocariasis.
The mechanism of action of diethylcarbamazine is thought to involve sensitizing the microfilariae to phagocytosis. One study showed that diethylcarbamazine's activity against Brugia malayi microfilariae is dependent on inducible nitric-oxide synthase and the cyclooxygenase pathway. It confirmed the important role of the arachidonic acid metabolic pathway in diethylcarbamazine's mechanism of action in vivo and showes that in addition to its effects on the 5-lipoxygenase pathway, it targets the cyclooxygenase pathway and COX-1.
Inital : 1 mg/kg/day, may increase to 6 mg/kg/day over 3 days, then maintain for 3 wk. Prophylaxis of loiasis 300 mg/wk.
Fever, headache, vomiting, dizziness, drowsiness, nausea, chills. Potentially Fatal: Severe hypersensitivity reactions may occur especially in the treatment of onchocerciasis where rare Mazzotti reaction characterised by rash, itching, headache, muscle and joint pains, tachycardia, postural hypotension may start within 2 hr of drug administration. Encephalitis and retinal haemorrhage.
Always consult a registered doctor before taking any medicine. This information is for general knowledge only.
Pregnancy, hypersensitivity; lactation; infants, elderly or debilitated patients; impaired renal function; cardiac disease.
There are no known drug interactions and none well documented.
Patients with poor health. Lactation: not known if excreted in breast milk