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Diethylcarbamazine is a medication used in the treatment of filariasis including lymphatic filariasis, tropical pulmonary eosinophilia, and loiasis. While it has been used for onchocerciasis (river blindness), ivermectin is preferred. It is a recommended treatment in pregnancy and appears to be safe for the baby. The World Health Organization; however, recommends waiting until after pregnancy for treatment when feasible. It is made from 4-methyl-piperazine.
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Diethylcarbamazine was discovered in 1947 by Yellapragada Subbarow. It is on the World Health Organization's List of Essential Medicines. It is not commercially available in the United States but can be acquired from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The WHO recommends prescribing diethylcarbamazine to people who are infected with microfilariae of filarial parasites and also to control transmission of infection in filariasis-endemic areas.
In India and China, diethylcarbamazine has been added to salt to combat lymphatic filariasis.
Contraindications
Contraindications are previous history of heart problems, gastrointestinal problems, and allergies.
Diethylcarbamazine is contraindicated in patients who may have onchocerciasis, due to the risk of the Mazzotti reaction.
Mechanism
Diethylcarbamazine is an inhibitor of arachidonic acid metabolism in microfilariae. This makes the microfilariae more susceptible to innate immune attack, but does not kill the parasites outright.
Society and culture
Brand names
Brand names include Hetrazan, Carbilazine, Caricide, Cypip, Ethodryl, Notézine, Spatonin, Filaribits, Banocide Forte, and Eofil.
Veterinary uses
Diethylcarbamazine is used to prevent heartworm in dogs.