Levamisole: functions, dosage, side effects, how to use it

What Drug Levamisole?

What is levamisole for?

Levamisole or levamisol is an anthelmintic drug that has various benefits, such as:

• inhibits the growth of cancer cells, especially in colon cancer
• against worm infections A. lumbricoides and A. duodenale
• improve the body's immune system in cancer sufferers

This drug can only be obtained by prescription from a doctor. For more information about levamisole, you can consult a doctor.

How is levamisole used?

Here's how to use the drug levamisole:

• Take this medication according to the rules for taking the medication prescribed by your doctor and follow all directions on the prescription label.
• If you don't understand instructions for use, ask your pharmacist, nurse or doctor for more information.
• Take this medicine with a glass of water.
• Your doctor will determine the right dose of medication for you based on the type of cancer being treated and several other factors.
• Your doctor may ask you to undergo a series of tests such as blood tests and medical evaluations while you are using this medicine. This is done to observe progress and possible side effects.
• Do not use this medication for more than the recommended dose, for less, or for longer than the recommended dosage.

How to store this drug?

Take a good look at the levamisole storage rules below:

• Store this medication at room temperature. Do not be in a place that is too cold or too hot.
• Keep this medication away from exposure to sunlight or direct light.
• Keep this medication out of reach of children and pets.
• Do not store this medication in the bathroom or other damp places.
• Do not also store this drug until it freezes in the freezer.
• Other brands of this drug may have different storage rules.
• Always pay attention to the drug storage rules listed on the packaging.

If you are no longer using this medicine or if the medicine has expired, discard this medicine immediately according to the procedure for disposing of the medicine.

One of them, do not mix this drug with household waste. Do not also throw this drug in drains such as toilets.

Ask the pharmacist or staff from the local waste disposal agency about the proper and safe way to dispose of drugs for environmental health.

Do not flush medication down the toilet or down the drain unless instructed to do so. Discard this product when it has expired or when it is no longer needed. Talk to your pharmacist about how to safely dispose of your medicine.

Levamisole dosage

The information provided is not a substitute for medical advice. ALWAYS consult your doctor or pharmacist before starting treatment.

What is the levamisole dosage for adults?

50 mg orally every 8 hours for 3 days (from days 7-30 postoperatively). This medicine can be given as a maintenance therapy for 3 days at 2 week intervals for 1 year.

What is the dose of levamisole for children?

There is no provision for the dosage of this drug for children. This medicine can be dangerous for children.

It is important to understand the safety of drugs before use. Consult your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

In what dosage is levamisole available?

Tablet, oral: 50 mg

Levamisole side effects

What side effects can be experienced due to levamisole?

Some medications may have unwanted side effects, including levamisole.

The following is a list of the side effects of this drug:

• fever or chills
• diarrhea
• dark stool
• bloody urine or stool
• cough and hoarseness
• lower back pain
• unusual bleeding or bruising
• sprue
• blurred vision
• seizures
• numbness in the face, palms, or soles of the feet

Not everyone experiences the following side effects. There may be some side effects not listed above.

If you have concerns about certain side effects, consult your doctor or pharmacist.

Levamisole Drug Warnings and Cautions

What should be known before using levamisole?

Before using this drug, pay attention to the following:

Certain drugs and diseases

Tell your doctor about any medications you are currently using, whether prescription, non-prescription, supplements, or herbal medicines. This is because several types of drugs may interact with this drug.

In addition, it is also important to inform your doctor about any diseases or other health conditions that you are currently suffering from. It is possible that the drug levamisole can trigger interactions with certain diseases or health conditions.

Allergy

Tell your doctor if you have a history of allergies to certain drugs, especially allergies to levamisole.

Is this drug safe for pregnant and lactating women?

Levamisole is included in pregnancy risk category C according to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in America or the equivalent of the Food and Drug Supervisory Agency (BPOM) in Indonesia.

The following is an explanation of the pregnancy risk categories according to the FDA:

• A: It's not risky
• B: No risk in some studies
• C: It might be risky
• D: There is positive evidence of risk
• X: Contraindicated
• N: Not known

Levamisole Drug Interactions

What medicines may interact with levamisole?

Drug interactions can change the performance of your medications or increase the risk of serious side effects. Not all possible drug interactions are listed in this article.

Keep a list of all the products you use (including prescription / non-prescription drugs and herbal products) and consult your doctor or pharmacist. Do not start, stop, or change the dose of any medication without your doctor's approval.

According to Drugs.com, here is a list of drugs that may interact with levamisol:

• Capecitabine
• Doxifluridine
• Fluorouracil
• Tegafur
• Warfarin

Can food or alcohol interact with levamisole?

Certain drugs, including levamisol, should not be used with certain foods because drug-food interactions can occur.

Smoking tobacco or consuming alcohol with certain drugs can also cause interactions to occur.

Discuss your use of drugs with food, alcohol, or tobacco with your health care provider.

Avoid eating grapefruit or drinking red grapefruit juice while using the medicine unless your doctor allows it.

Grapefruit and grapefruit drugs can increase the risk of interactions. Consult your doctor and pharmacist for more info.

What health conditions can interact with this drug?

Any other health conditions you have can affect the use of this drug. Always tell your doctor if you have other health problems, especially:

• liver damage
• kidney damage
• other infections in the body

Levamisole overdose

What should I do in an emergency or overdose?

In case of emergency or overdose, call the medical team, ambulance (118 or 119), or immediately to the nearest hospital emergency department.

What should I do if I miss a dose?

If you forget a dose of this medicine, take it as soon as possible. However, when it is nearing the time of the next dose, skip the missed dose and return to the usual dosing schedule.

Do not double your dose. The reason is, double doses do not guarantee that you can recover faster. In addition, using excessive doses actually increases the risk of side effects and the risk of overdose.

Hello Health Group does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.