Filaria Journal

Table 1 Drugs and their activity against Onchocerca volvulus

From: Clinical picture and outcome of Serious Adverse Events in the treatment of Onchocerciasis

Chemical group	Effect on O. volvulus
	Microfilariae	Adult worms
	Lethal effect	Lethal effect	Embryo-Toxicity/depletion	Embryo-sequestration*
Avermectin
Mectizan^®	++++	0 to ++**	0 to ++**	++++
Urea derivative
Suramin	+++	++++	++++	0
Piperazine derivative
Diethylcarbamazine	++++	0	0	0
Organophosphate
Metrifonate	+++	0	0	0
Benzimidazole carbamate
Mebendazole	++	0	++	0
Flubendazole	0	0	++	0
Albendazole	0	0	+++	0
Thiourea
Amocarzine†	+++	0	0	0
Tetracycline
Doxycycline‡	0	0	++++	0

* A block to the release of microfilariae is the primary effect, followed by their degeneration in utero ** On multiple dosage † Not registered ‡ Experimental drug

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