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Table 1 The types of reactions seen in the treatment of onchocerciasis with oral diethylcarbamazine, ivermectin* and others

From: Possible pathogenic pathways in the adverse clinical events seen following ivermectin administration to onchocerciasis patients.

EXPECTED ("ACCEPTABLE") REACTIONS

   • "Classical Mazzotti reactions"

Pruritus

Papular dermal response

Dermal edema

Headache

Nausea

Lethargy

EXCESSIVE ("UNACCEPTABLE") REACTIONS

   • Excessive forms of the normally expected Mazzotti reactions

Temporal association with treatment

Lethargy

Papular, pruritic, and edematous dermal responses

Severe headache

Bone ache

Inability to work

Prostration (e.g. Sowda patients)

   • Major neurological changes

Coma

Epilepsy

   • Specific (non-Mazzotti) dermal responses

Drug-related allergic responses (dermal plaques etc.)

   • Other responses

Unsubstantiated reports (bleeding, etc.)

  1. * Ivermectin produces reactions significantly less in severity and duration.