Antiprotozoal agent - what is it?

2023 Author: Alfred Shackley | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-05-21 13:14

Often parasites, getting into our body, cause significant discomfort, harm our health, and can even be life-threatening. We all know that in case of helminthic invasion it is necessary to take antiparasitic drugs, but what are they, how to take them, what are the contraindications for them?

Let's try to figure it out together.

Classification of drugs against helminths

Antiprotozoal drugs are drugs whose action is aimed at affecting the simplest unicellular organisms:

• amoeba;
• lamblia;
• Trichomonas;
• toxoplasma;
• trypanosomes;
• Leishmania.

These drugs damage and destroy the cytoplasmic membrane of protozoa, suppress chemical processes in their body, which inevitably leads to their death.

An antiprotozoal agent is used to treat and prevent the following diseases:

• trichomoniasis;
• amoebiasis;
• extraintestinal amebiasis;
• liver abscess;
• giardiasis;
• blastocystosis;
• other.

The classification of these funds distinguishes:

• antimalarial drugs;
• drugs against other types of microorganisms.

Antimalarial drugs have 4 classes according to the forms of parasites on which they act:

• Schizontocidal - affect the tissue and erythrocyte form of parasites;
• Gametocyticidal - for the prevention of malaria;
• Sporontocidal - they affect the parasite that infects the mosquito, thereby preventing malaria;
• Combined - for several classes of parasites.

Delagil

It has immunosuppressive and anti-inflammatory effects. It is produced in the form of flat tablets with a beveled edge of white odorless color. The main active ingredient is chloroquine, 250 mg per tablet.

Also included are carbomer 934R, aerosil R972, corn starch, talc, movital B30T, magnesium stearate. Suitable for up to 5 years. The use of this medication must be approved by your doctor. Regular blood tests are required to monitor the body's response to Delagil.

The drug is used:

• for the prevention and treatment of malaria;
• in the case of systemic lupus erythematosus;
• in diseases caused by histolytic amoeba;
• with chronic inflammation of the joints;
• with liver abscess caused by amoebic microorganisms.

The agent is taken orally (through the mouth).

Treatment is prescribed by a doctor and should be taken:

• In the case of malaria: on the first day, 4 tablets at the same time, after seven to eight hours, two pills. On the second and third day of treatment, 3 tablets once. In the prevention of malaria: two pills 2 times in the first week, then two pills every week;
• Lupus erythematosus: one to two pills a day;
• Amoebiasis: two pills three times a day, then a week, one tablet three times a day, then from two to six months, three pills 2 times 7 days;
• Chronic joint inflammation: two pills twice a day for a week, then two pills once. The course of treatment is one year.

Contraindications:

• liver failure;
• renal failure;
• agranulocytosis;
• psoriatic arthritis;
• hematoporphyrinuria;
• allergic reactions to the components of the composition of the drug;
• the period of pregnancy and breastfeeding.

Delagil is not recommended for those suffering from epilepsy, retinopathy, dehydrogenase and glucose-six-phosphate deficiency.

Lariam

It belongs to the group of antimalarial drugs. Affects the tissue and erythrocyte form of parasites. The main active ingredient is mefloquine, its content is 250 mg per tablet. The shelf life of the product is 3 years. In the case of independent use of the drug after the disease has passed, you should still seek confirmation of the diagnosis from a doctor.

Indications for the use of "Lariam":

• Treatment of mild to moderate types of malaria;
• Prevention of malaria for those traveling to regions where there are foci of infection with the disease;
• Emergency therapy: in case of inability to go to the hospital for the provision of medical assistance.

The tablets are taken orally, after meals, without chewing. It is recommended to drink them with a large amount of liquid (about 200 ml). Lariam has a bitter taste. The tablets are sensitive to moisture, so they should not be removed from the packaging for some time before direct use.

The dose of the medicine depends on the person's body weight.

For prevention they drink:

• from 45 kg - one tablet 1 time in 7 days;
• from 30 to 45 kg - ¾ tablets;
• from 20 to 30 kg - ½;
• from 10 to 20 kg - ¼;
• from 5 to 10 kg - 1/8 tablet.

The drug must be taken on the same day of the week. "Lariam" is consumed a week before arriving in the malaria zone. After leaving the region, you need to continue taking the pills for another month.

Contraindications:

• depressive conditions and psychosis;
• schizophrenia;
• anxiety;
• convulsions;
• pregnancy and breastfeeding;
• sensitivity to the composition of the drug;
• use together with agents containing quinine or quinide;
• epilepsy.

Tiniba

Refers to the combined antiprotozoal and antimicrobial agents. Once in the human body, it penetrates into parasites and microorganisms, where it begins to influence their vital processes and damage their DNA.

The medicine is available in the form of smooth, yellow capsule-like tablets. The main active ingredient is tinidazole, which contains 500 mg per tablet. Also in the composition of the product: colloidal silicon dioxide, magnesium stearate, dye, purified water, microcrystalline cellulose, calcium dihydrate. Valid for 4 years.

Tiniba is used in the following cases:

• The presence of Trichomonas in the body;
• Amebic dysentery;
• Diseases caused by intestinal lamblia;
• Ulcerative gingivitis;
• Leishmannosis;
• Nonspecific vaginitis;
• Infections caused by anaerobic microorganisms;
• Mixed infections caused by aerobic and anaerobic bacteria.

The product is taken orally during meals or immediately after.

Treatment is carried out according to the following scheme:

• Giardiasis: two grams once a day for adults, no more than two grams for children. If the medicine does not help, then the therapy is repeated in the same proportions. The whole family needs to be treated at the same time;
• Trichomoniasis: 150 mg 3 times a day for five days or 150 mg twice a day for a week. The dose for children should not exceed 75 mg / kg body weight;
• In the case of intestinal amebiasis: two grams per day for adults once for 2-3 days or 600 mg per day twice for five days. The therapy can last up to 10 days. The daily dose for children up to 60 mk / kg body weight;
• Amebiasis of the liver: for adults, one and a half to two grams per day, once for three days in a row. Treatment can be extended up to 6 days or 600 mg twice a day for 5-10 days. Children are prescribed up to 60 mk / kg body weight once a day for 5 days;
• Ulcerative gingivitis: two grams per day at one time;
• Nonspecific vaginitis: two grams at one time;
• Anaerobic infections: therapy is 5-6 days. On the first day - two grams, then one gram once a day or half a gram twice a day. For prophylaxis after surgery, two grams are prescribed 12 hours before surgery.

Contraindications:

• Sensitivity to the components of the product;
• Disease of the central nervous system;
• Pregnancy (first trimester) and breastfeeding;
• Age up to 12 years;
• Violation of hematopoiesis.

If you need a drug from the antiprotozoal group, then it would be best to seek a doctor's recommendation so that a specialist selects the most optimal option, taking into account all the individual characteristics of the organism.

This will eliminate the risk of a drug that can cause any negative reaction.

In cases where it is impossible to resort to medical care, you can take a drug that has an antiprotozoal effect, and then, if possible, consult a doctor and do the necessary tests to check whether the remedy has helped or not.