Diethylcarbamazine Citrate
About Diethylcarbamazine Citrate
Diethylcarbamazine Citrate is a specialised liquid prescription medicine used to treat certain types of parasitic worm infections in children. It is primarily prescribed to treat lymphatic filariasis (an infection that affects the lymph nodes) and tropical pulmonary eosinophilia (a lung condition caused by microscopic worms). By clearing these parasites from the body, this medicine helps prevent long-term complications and protects your child's developmental health.
To achieve the best results, this syrup must be given consistently at the exact times prescribed by your child's paediatrician. Giving the medicine with or immediately after meals can significantly reduce the chances of an upset stomach. Encouraging your child to drink extra fluids and maintain clean hygiene habits during treatment also helps support their recovery.
While taking Diethylcarbamazine Citrate, some children may experience mild side effects like drowsiness, nausea, or a mild headache. However, you should call your doctor immediately if your child develops more serious symptoms, such as an intense skin rash, high fever, or breathing difficulties, which can sometimes happen as the parasites are cleared from the body.
Do not give this medicine to your child if they have had a severe allergic reaction to it or similar anti-parasitic medications in the past. Before starting treatment, it is highly important to tell your paediatrician if your child has a history of kidney disease, seizures, or asthma.
Some medicines can interfere with how this syrup works, so always provide your doctor with a complete list of other prescriptions or supplements your child is taking. If your child has other underlying health conditions, always consult your paediatrician to ensure this treatment is safe for them.
Uses of Diethylcarbamazine Citrate
Medicinal Benefits
Using Diethylcarbamazine Citrate as prescribed helps treat parasitic infections and prevent long-term complications. Here are the key benefits you can expect:
- Relieves symptoms of parasitic infections: By reducing the number of parasites in the body, Diethylcarbamazine Citrate helps relieve persistent coughing, wheezing, and breathing difficulties, allowing children to sleep and play more comfortably.
- Helps prevent long-term complications: Early treatment helps prevent chronic lymphatic damage, reducing the risk of painful swelling of the limbs and lymph nodes and supporting healthy growth and development.
- Easy to administer: The oral syrup is easy to swallow and allows accurate dose measurement, making treatment more convenient for young children and their caregivers.
Directions for Use
- Diethylcarbamazine Citrate should be given after meals.
- Follow your doctor's instructions regarding the dosage and duration of the medication.
- Shake well before use. Administer the advised dose to the child using the measuring cup/measuring spoon/dropper.
- Avoid using regular household spoons, as they may not measure the dose correctly.
Storage
Side Effects of Diethylcarbamazine Citrate
Common Side Effects (Usually mild):
- Nausea or occasional vomiting
- Dizziness or mild drowsiness
- Headache
- Loss of appetite or temporary stomach discomfort
Serious Side Effects (Consult your doctor right away):
- Severe allergic reactions (such as swelling of the face, tongue, or throat, severe itching, or hives)
- High fever, joint pain, or severe weakness (often caused by the body reacting to dying parasites)
- Changes in vision, eye irritation, or sensitivity to light
Drug Warnings
- Inspect before use: Always check the syrup before giving it to your child. Do not use it if you notice cloudiness, discolouration, or visible particles.
- Shake well before each dose: Shake the bottle thoroughly before every use to ensure the medicine is evenly mixed.
- Complete the full course: Continue giving Diethylcarbamazine Citrate for the entire duration prescribed by your doctor, even if your child feels better, to help prevent the infection from returning.
- Monitor after the first dose: Watch your child closely during the first few hours after the initial dose. Mild reactions such as itching or a low-grade fever may occur as the parasites die. Contact your doctor if these symptoms become severe or persistent.
- Tell your doctor about eye problems: Do not use Diethylcarbamazine Citrate without specialist advice if your child has onchocerciasis (river blindness) involving the eyes, as the medicine may worsen eye inflammation.
- Seek medical advice if fever or rash develops: Your child may develop fever, rash, itching, or joint pain as the parasites die (known as a Mazzotti-like reaction). Contact your doctor immediately if these symptoms are severe, persistent, or accompanied by difficulty breathing.
Drug Interactions
- Other anti-parasitic medicines: Taking this medicine alongside other worm treatments without medical supervision can increase the risk of severe side effects.
- Medicines that cause drowsiness: Combining this syrup with medications that affect the nervous system (like allergy medicines or sedatives) may make your child excessively sleepy.
Drug-Drug Interactions Checker List:
Safety Advice
Alcohol
not applicable-
Pregnancy
not applicable-
Breast Feeding
not applicable-
Driving
not applicable-
Liver
consult your doctorIf your child has liver problems, inform your doctor beforehand.
Kidney
cautionDiethylcarbamazine Citrate should be used with caution in children with kidney impairment. Inform your doctor if your child has kidney problems. The doctor may adjust the dose or prescribe a suitable alternative based on the condition of your child.
Children
safe if prescribedDiethylcarbamazine Citrate can only be used in children aged 2 years and above if prescribed by the doctor. The dose of this medicine will be recommended by the doctor based on your child's age, body weight and condition.
Habit Forming
Diet & Lifestyle Advise
- Keep your child well hydrated: Encourage your child to drink plenty of clean, filtered, or boiled water to help the body eliminate toxins released as the parasites die.
- Give with food if needed: Give Diethylcarbamazine Citrate with or after a balanced meal to help reduce stomach upset and nausea.
- Prevent reinfection: Encourage regular handwashing, keep your child's fingernails short and clean, and maintain good personal hygiene to reduce the risk of reinfection.
- Protect against mosquito bites: In areas where filariasis is common, use mosquito nets, window screens, and child-safe insect repellent to help prevent mosquito bites.
Special Advise
Schedule regular check-ups to monitor progress. Follow your doctor's recommendation for eye check-ups to detect any potential vision problems.
Patients Concern
Disease/Condition Glossary
Parasitic infections: Parasites live inside other organisms' bodies (hosts) for survival. Some parasites do not harm their host, while some cause sickness in the human body, resulting in parasitic infection. Three types of organisms are responsible for causing parasitic infections: protozoa (single-celled and multiply inside the body), Helminths (multicelled and live outside the body, like tapeworms), and Ectoparasites (multi-celled and live or feed off the skin, like mites).
Bancroft's filariasis: It is caused by thread-like worms that live inside humans' lymphatic system. The body's lymphatic system consists of fluid and is responsible for fighting infections. This disease spreads from one person to another by mosquitoes. Common symptoms include fever and skin exfoliation. And high levels of eosinophils (white blood cells).
Loiasis, also known as an 'African eye worm,' is an infectious parasitic disease transmitted to humans by the bite of Chrysops deerfly species. People with this disease may experience itchy, non-painful swellings in their bodies. Sometimes, they see worms crawling under their skin or in their eyes.
River blindness is caused by a parasitic worm and transmitted through repeated bites by black flies living near rivers and streams. If not treated, it may even cause visual impairment and, sometimes, blindness.
Eosinophilic lung: This is a disease related to lung problems in which white blood cells in the body increase. White blood cells are responsible for fighting allergic reactions and certain infections. Some of the symptoms of this disease include cough, chest pain, tightness, increased mucus, rapid breathing, bloody mucus, and shortness of breath.
FAQs
Diethylcarbamazine Citrate is used to treat certain parasitic infections, including Bancroft's filariasis (thread-like worms infect humans' lymphatic system), Eosinophilic lung (increased white blood cells), Loiasis (an infectious parasitic disease transmitted to humans by the bite of Chrysops deerfly species), and River blindness.
Diethylcarbamazine Citrate works by killing worms present in the bloodstream. Thereby, it provides relief from parasitic infection.
Even if your child feels well after receiving a few doses of Diethylcarbamazine Citrate, it is advised that you continue administering it for as long as it has been prescribed to clear the infection from the body.
Diethylcarbamazine Citrate is not recommended for children who are hypersensitive to any of the components of Diethylcarbamazine Citrate or dealing with narrow-angle glaucoma, blockage in the stomach or intestines, difficulty urinating, or an asthma attack. Talk to the doctor if you have any concerns.
The common side effects of Diethylcarbamazine Citrate may include itching, swelling of the face, especially near the eyes, wheezing, feeling sleepy, and nervousness. Contact your doctor immediately if these side effects bother your child or do not resolve gradually.
It is highly recommended to give this medicine to your child after a meal. Taking it on an empty stomach can lead to nausea, vomiting, or stomach discomfort. Talk to your doctor if your child has trouble keeping the medicine down.
If your child vomits within 30 minutes of taking the syrup, do not give another dose immediately. Contact your paediatrician or pharmacist for specific advice on whether to repeat the dose. Talk to your doctor if vomiting continues.
Yes. Some children develop a Mazzotti-like reaction, which can include fever, rash, itching, joint pain, and swollen lymph nodes as the parasites die. This is usually related to the body's response to the infection rather than the medicine itself. However, if symptoms are severe, persistent, or your child has difficulty breathing or severe weakness, seek medical attention immediately.
This medicine must only be given to infants under strict medical supervision and if specifically prescribed by a paediatrician. The dosage must be calculated precisely based on their weight. Talk to your doctor before giving this to very young children.
Some cold or cough syrups contain ingredients that can cause extra sleepiness when paired with this medicine. Always check with your pharmacist or paediatrician before combining any over-the-counter syrups. Talk to your doctor for safe options.
Your doctor will likely schedule follow-up appointments and blood tests to confirm that the parasites have been fully cleared from your child’s body. Do not assume the infection is gone just because symptoms have stopped. Talk to your doctor for advice.
It is best to store this syrup at room temperature in a dry place. Do not freeze it, as extreme cold can alter the liquid's consistency and make dosing inaccurate. Keep the bottle tightly closed in its original carton. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist if you have storage concerns.
In some areas where lymphatic filariasis is common, Diethylcarbamazine Citrate may be distributed through government mass drug administration (MDA) programmes to help prevent the spread of the disease. Even if your child feels well, give the medicine exactly as instructed by the healthcare team and consult your paediatrician if you have any concerns.
