Diethylcarbamazine Citrate

Diethylcarbamazine citrate is an anthelmintic drug used primarily as the citrate in the treatment of filariasis, particularly infestations with Wucheria bancrofti, Brugia malayi, or Brugia timori nematodes or Loa loa eye worms. It is a synthetic organic compound which is highly specific for several parasites and does not contain any toxic metallic elements. Diethylcarbamazine continues to be the mainstay for treatment of patients with lymphatic filariasis and loiasis. ¹

In dogs the drug is administered daily for the prevention of heartworm disease (Dirofilaria immitis) and as an aid in the treatment of ascarid infestations ()Toxocara canis and Toxascaris leonina). It is not used in animals that may harbor adult heartworms. ² Inadvertent administration to heartworm-infected dogs may cause adverse reactions due to pulmonary occlusion. Overdosage may cause vomiting. ³

References:
REF FILE 324-DAC