|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Other drug names: | A-Am An-Az B C-Ch Ci-Cz D-Dh Di-Dz E F G H I-J K-L M-Mh Mi-Mz N-Nh Ni-Nz O P-Pl Pm-Pz Q-R S-Sn So-Sz T-To Tp-Tz U-V W-Z 0-9 |
| Contents of this page: | |
Some commonly used brand names are:
In the U.S.--
+ Not commercially available in Canada.
Niclosamide (ni-KLOE-sa-mide) belongs to the family of medicines called anthelmintics (ant-hel-MIN-tiks) . Anthelmintics are medicines used in the treatment of worm infections.
Niclosamide is used to treat broad or fish tapeworm, dwarf tapeworm, and beef tapeworm infections. Niclosamide may also be used for other tapeworm infections as determined by your doctor. It will not work for other types of worm infections (for example, pinworms or roundworms).
Niclosamide works by killing tapeworms on contact. The killed worms are then passed in the stool. However, you may not notice them since they are sometimes destroyed in the intestine.
Niclosamide is available only with your doctor's prescription, in the following dosage form:
In deciding to use a medicine, the risks of taking the medicine must be weighed against the good it will do. This is a decision you and your doctor will make. For niclosamide, the following should be considered:
Allergies--Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to niclosamide. Also tell your health care professional if you are allergic to any other substances, such as foods, preservatives, or dyes.
Pregnancy--Niclosamide has not been studied in pregnant women. However, it has not been shown to cause birth defects or other problems in animal studies.
Breast-feeding--It is not known whether niclosamide passes into breast milk. Although most medicines pass into breast milk in small amounts, many of them may be used safely while breast-feeding. Mothers who are taking this medicine should discuss this with their doctor.
Children--This medicine has been tested in a limited number of children 2 years of age or older and, in effective doses, has not been reported to cause different side effects or problems in children than it does in adults.
Older adults--Many medicines have not been studied specifically in older people. Therefore, it may not be known whether they work exactly the same way they do in younger adults or if they cause different side effects or problems in older people. There is no specific information comparing use of niclosamide in the elderly with use in other age groups.
Other medicines--Although certain medicines should not be used
together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together
even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to
change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. Tell your health care
professional if you are taking any other prescription or nonprescription (over-the-counter
[OTC]) medicine. No special
preparations or additional steps (for example, special diets, fasting, other
medicines, laxatives, or enemas) are necessary before, during, or immediately
after taking niclosamide. Niclosamide may be taken on an empty stomach (either 1 hour before or 2
hours after a meal). However, to prevent stomach upset, it is best taken after
a light meal (for example, breakfast). Niclosamide tablets should be thoroughly chewed or crushed and then swallowed
with a small amount of water. If this medicine is being given to a young child,
the tablets should be crushed to a fine powder and mixed with a small amount
of water to form a paste. For patients taking this medicine for
beef tapeworms
or broad or fish tapeworms
:
Proper Use of This Medicine
For patients taking this medicine for dwarf tapeworms :
Dosing--The dose of niclosamide will be different for different patients. Follow your doctor's orders or the directions on the label . The following information includes only the average doses of niclosamide. If your dose is different, do not change it unless your doctor tells you to do so.
The number of doses you take each day, the time allowed between doses, and the length of time you take the medicine depend on the medical problem for which you are taking niclosamide .
Missed dose--If you miss a dose of this medicine, take it as soon as possible. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not double doses.
Storage--To store this medicine:
It is important that your doctor check your progress at regular visits. This is to make sure that the infection is cleared up completely.
If your symptoms do not improve within a few days, or if they become worse, check with your doctor.
Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. The following side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. However, check with your doctor if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome:
Less common
Abdominal or stomach cramps or pain; diarrhea; loss of appetite; nausea or vomitingRare
Dizziness or lightheadedness; drowsiness; itching of the rectal area; skin rash; unpleasant tasteOther side effects not listed above may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your doctor.
Revised: 06/23/95
| Micromedex, Inc. Disclaimer |
| Health Topics | Drug Information | Dictionaries | Directories | Other Resources |
|
U.S. National Library of Medicine, 8600 Rockville Pike, Bethesda, MD 20894
Copyright and Privacy Policy, We welcome your comments. Last updated: 24 January 2001 |