Monograph: |
Niclosamide Monohydrate
Yellowish, fine crystals. Practically insoluble in water;
slightly soluble in dehydrated alcohol: sparingly soluble in
acetone.
Protect from light.
Adverse Effects
Gastro-intestinal disturbances may occur occasion-
ally with niclosamide. Lightheadedness and pruritus
have been reported less frequently.
Pharmacokinetics
Niclosamide is not significantly absorbed from the
gastro-intestinal tract.
Uses and Administration
Niclosamide is an anthelmintic which is active
against most tapeworms, including the beef tape-
worm (Taenia saginata), the pork tapeworm (T. so-
hum), the fish tapeworm (Diphyllobothrium latum),
the dwarf tapeworm (Hymenolepis nana), and the
dog tapeworm (Dipylidium caninum). Its activity against these
worms appears to be due to inhibition of mitochondrial oxida-
tive phosphorylation; anaerobic ATP production is
also affected.
Niclosamide is administered in tablets, which must
be chewed thoroughly before swallowing and
washed down with water.
For infections with pork tapeworm a single 2-g dose
is given after a light breakfast. Niclosamide is not
active against the larval form (cysticerci) and al-
though the risk of inducing cysticercosis appears lo
be theoretical, a laxative is given about 2 hours after
the dose to expel the killed worms and minimise the
possibility of the migration of ova of T. solium into
the stomach; also an antiemetic may be given before
treatment.
For infections with beef or fish tapeworms the 2-g
dose of niclosamide may be divided, with 1 g taken
after breakfast and I g an hour later.
In dwarf-tapeworm infections an initial dose of 2 g
is given on the first day followed by I g daily for 6
days.
Children aged 2 to 6 years are given half the above
doses and those under 2 years of age are given one-
quarter the above doses.
Unless expulsion of the worm is aided by a laxative,
portions are voided in a partially digested form after
treatment with niclosamide; the scolex is rarely
identifiable.
Niclosamide is used as a molluscicide for the treat-
ment of water in schistosomiasis control pro-
grammes .
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