Global health, world economy and human lifestyle have been significantly altered by the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic. SARS-CoV-2 virus has infected millions of people globally, leading to either permanent physical distress or casualties. Although the creation and use of vaccinations have been prominent, other treatment options have also been widely used. One of such medicinal categories is Anthelmintic.
Diverse categories of anthelmintic drugs were repurposed through a series of medical research to control symptoms of the COVID-19 pandemic. At Global Care Meds, we offer premium-quality anthelmintic medicines that can be actively used to treat symptoms related to the COVID-19 pandemic.
If you are searching for an anthelmintic to treat the symptoms of COVID-19, this blog can provide you with the best guide. Continue reading to know more.
What is meant by Drug Repurposing?
Drug Repurposing is a medical approach that involves finding new therapeutic uses for existing drugs and drug classes. This medical approach quickly identifies compounds with established safety profiles and known advantages for treating various diseases.
In some instances, drug repurposing is done to reduce developmental costs. Compared to traditional drug development, repurposing can lower the cost of manufacturing and processing.
Repurposing of medicines was actively done for the treatment of the COVID-19 pandemic. Owing to this aspect, drugs falling under anthelmintic categories were also repurposed. Popularly used medicines, such as Azithromycin tablets in 1g, 250 mg, and 500 mg doses, were repurposed for controlling various symptoms of the disease.
Before delving into the working method and how to take similar drugs, you need to understand the nature of Anthelmintic drugs.
What are Anthelmintics?
Anthelmintics are a category of drugs used to treat infections caused by parasitic worms and other microorganisms. Helminths are also broadly divided into multiple categories. Doses for each type of anthelmintic are different.
Infections caused by parasitic worms, such as tapeworms, hookworms, roundworms, and whipworms, can be treated with anthelmintics like Fenbendazole 150 mg tablets. Other doses of this medicine, involving 222 mg, 440 mg, and 500 mg, are equally effective in treating worm-induced infections.
Other parasitic infections, such as Malaria, are also treated with the proper dose of anthelmintic drugs. Medicines such as Artesunate 100 mg, 200 mg and 400 mg tablets are prescribed for treatment.
Role of Anthelmintics in COVID-19 Treatment
Specific categories of anthelmintics were widely used for treating the symptoms of the COVID-19 pandemic. Prior to understanding the role of anthelmintics, check out the common symptoms caused by SARS-CoV-2 infection:
- High fever and Chills
- Dry Cough
- Extreme fatigue and prolonged weakness
- Headaches, Body or Muscle aches
- Loss of taste or smell
- Loss of appetite
- Digestive issues such as stomach upset, vomiting or diarrhoea.
Anthelmintics, such as Iverheal 3mg tablets, were repurposed for treating the symptoms mentioned above, along with 6mg and 12mg tablets. Similar to other medicines, such as Mebendazole 100 mg and 500 mg tablets, were equally prescribed to treat and control symptoms of SARS-CoV-2 infection to a certain extent.
How did Anthelmintics work to treat COVID-19?
Anthelmintics such as Iverheal tablets were widely used to treat COVID-19 symptoms. The main composition of Iverheal tablets is Ivermectin. This popular anti-parasitic drug acts on SARS-CoV-2 by preventing viral proteins from entering the host cell nucleus.
In a medical study, it was confirmed that a single dose of Ivermectin, combined with multiple doses of Doxycycline, yielded considerable improvements in treating symptoms of COVID-19. However, generally mild symptoms of the COVID-19 pandemic are mainly treated with this combination. The severity of the condition was treated with advanced care and multiple other medical approaches.
Antimalarial drugs such as Hydroxychloroquine 200 mg and 400 mg tablets were also prescribed to treat specific symptoms of the COVID-19 pandemic. Different doses of Hydroxychloroquine tablets were notable for their long-term and elimination half-lives in parasites, which lasted from 22 to 60 days. Although the complete elimination of SARS-CoV-2 infection was not possible, partial relief of symptoms was notable.
How to take Anthelmintics?
Anthelmintic tablets are generally prescribed to be taken whole, without chewing, breaking, or grinding. You can take these tablets with or without food and water, as recommended by your doctor. The doses of specific anthelmintics vary according to the severity of your health condition and also the functional composition or effectiveness of a medicine.
Overdose and underdose of such drugs are common. If you miss a dose, calculate whether it has been at least 4 hours since the missed dose. If it has been more than 4 hours since your previous dose and the missed dose, then proceed with your next dose carefully.
It is always best to consult your doctor and receive proper instructions on how to proceed after missing a dose. Professional care might help you avoid any adverse health impact.
Potential Side Effects of Anthelmintics
Anthelmintic medicines might impose potential side effects. The causes might vary from improper consumption to the severity of the condition. Other cases of wrong medicine prescription or individual reactivity can cause side effects. The following are the potential side effects of anthelmintics:
- Nausea
- Vomitting
- Diarrhea
- Stomach or Abdominal Cramps
- Headache
- Drowsiness
- Dizziness
- Trouble sleeping
- Loss of Appetite
Apart from the above-mentioned side effects, other adverse health impacts may also occur from anthelmintic consumption. Immediately consult your doctor if you face any of the above or other side effects. Prompt medical attention can prevent significant damage from occurring.
Reactions of Anthelmintics with Other Drugs
Anthelmintics might react with other drugs and either impose specific symptoms or reduce the effectiveness of the original drug. For instance, certain medicines, such as Evimectin A, may interact with other compositions, including Clarithromycin and Clofazimine.
The primary composition of the Evimectin drug is Ivermectin. Reaction with Clarithromycin can decrease the metabolism of Ivermectin. On the other hand, a response with Clofazimine may decrease the excretion rate of Ivermectin. This reaction can result in higher serum levels in the body.
Precautions to be taken against COVID-19
As your wellbeing partners, we will always recommend that you receive vaccinations with proper medical assistance. You can take the following precautions to prevent the contraction of the COVID-19 pandemic:
- Wash your hands before handling or preparing food, after using the bathroom, after coming into contact with someone who has the flu, and after blowing your nose.
- Wear a multilayered mask to cover your nose, mouth, and face.
- Don’t touch your eyes, nose, and mouth to prevent the virus from spreading.
- Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze.
- Avoid close contact with people who suffer from a cold and cough.
- Avoid large crowds if you have a weakened immune system.
- Use disinfectant at home to clean surfaces.
- Use hand sanitizer.
- Don’t get into skin contact.
- Maintain a healthy diet with plenty of fluids and adequate sleep.
Conclusion
Anthelmintics are widely used to treat parasitic infections, and their repurposing during the COVID-19 pandemic has been beneficial. At Global Care Meds, we offer FDA-approved anthelmintics.
It is necessary to take precautions to avoid contracting SARS-CoV-2 infection. Immediately connect with your doctor to receive medical guidance on how to treat the arising symptoms. Connect with us today to find the prescribed medicines you’re looking for.
