Tiabendazole

Tiabendazole is a medication primarily used to treat parasitic worm infections. It is a broad-spectrum anthelmintic, effective against roundworms, hookworms, and most tapeworms. Tiabendazole is also used to control and prevent fungal diseases in fruits and vegetables.

History

Tiabendazole was first synthesized in the 1960s by Merck & Co., an American multinational pharmaceutical company. It was initially used in veterinary medicine before being approved for human use.

Medical Uses

Tiabendazole is used to treat a variety of parasitic worm infections. It is effective against Strongyloides, Trichinella, Capillaria, and Toxocara species. It is also used to treat cutaneous larva migrans and visceral larva migrans.

In addition to its anthelmintic properties, Tiabendazole has been used as a fungicide to control and prevent fungal diseases in fruits and vegetables. It is particularly effective against Fusarium species, which cause a range of plant diseases.

Side Effects

Common side effects of Tiabendazole include nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, and dizziness. In rare cases, it can cause more serious side effects such as hepatotoxicity and neutropenia.

Pharmacology

Tiabendazole works by inhibiting the polymerization of tubulin, a protein necessary for the formation of the cytoskeleton of the parasitic worms. This leads to the death of the parasite.

See Also

• Anthelmintic
• Parasitic worm
• Fungicide