Niclosamide

Niclosamide

File:Niclosamide.svg
Systematic (IUPAC) name
5-chloro-N-(2-chloro-4-nitrophenyl)-2-hydroxybenzamide
Identifiers
CAS Number	50-65-7
ATC code	P02DA01 (WHO) QP52AG03
PubChem	CID 4477
Chemical data
Formula	C13H8Cl2N2O4
Molar mass	327.119 g/mol[[]]

Niclosamide (trade name Niclocide) is a teniacide ("tenia-" referring to tapeworm) in the anthelmintic family especially effective against cestodes that infect humans. It is also used as a piscicide.It is stressed that while anthelmintics are a drug family used to treat worm infections, Niclosamide is used specifically to treat tapeworms and is not effective against worms such as pinworms or roundworms. It is a chewable tablet taken orally, dosage depending on type of worm and patient's age and/or weight. Niclosamide molecules are lethal to tapeworms upon contact.

Side effects

The medication can have side effects such as abdominal pain, anorexia, diarrhea, and emesis. Rarely, dizziness, skin rash, drowsiness, perianal itching, and an unpleasant taste.

Mechanism of action

According to an article in Nature, niclosamide uncouples oxidative phosphorylation in the tapeworm.

References

• Taber, Clarence Wilbur; Venes, Donald; Thomas, Clayton L. (2001). Taber's cyclopedic medical dictionary. Philadelphia: F.A.Davis Co. CS1 maint: Multiple names: authors list (link)
• Additional Medication Information:Medline
• http://www.drugs.com/cons/Niclosamide.html

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