Diethylcarbamazine dosage and administration

Diethylcarbamazine
HETRAZAN® WHO Prescribing Information
Description
Indications and Usage
Contraindications
Warnings and Precautions
Adverse Reactions
Overdosage
Dosage and Administration
How Supplied

Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]

Dosage and Administration

It is widely accepted that total cumulative dosages of 72 mg/kg are necessary to eliminate W. bancrofti infections. Lower dosages are recommended by some authorities for treating B. malayi and B. timori infections. Controlled studies are now ongoing to evaluate these recommendations. Children under 10 years of age should receive half the total adult dose.

The following dosage schedules are intended only as a guide since many countries have developed their own specific treatment regimens. The doses given are suitable for both adults and children aged over 10 years.

In all cases treatment is best initiated with smaller doses for 2-3 days in order to avoid the danger of immunological reactions.

Lymphatic filariasis

W. bancrofti infection

Individual treatment: 6 mg/kg daily for 12 days administered orally, preferably in divided doses after meals.

Mass administration: 6 mg/kg in 24 hours administered, as above, 12 times at weekly or monthly intervals, or as a single annual dose.

B. malayi and B. timori infections

Individual treatment: 3-6 mg/kg daily for 6-12 days administered orally, preferably in divided doses after meals.

Mass treatment: 3-6 mg/kg in 24 hours administered, as above, 6 times at weekly or monthly intervals.

In both China and India several trials have shown that, used consistently over a period of at least 6 months, table salt medicated with diethylcarbamazine at a concentration of 0.1% can eliminate W. bancrofti lymphatic filariasis. A concentration of 0.3% for 3-4 months may be necessary where B. malayi is endemic.

Occult filariasis

A dose of 8 mg/kg daily for 14 days repeated, as necessary, if symptoms return.

References

Adapted from the FDA Package Insert.