levamisole (Ergamisole)
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Indications
- adjuvant treatment in combination with fluorouracil for patient's with Duke's C colon cancer
- used as an antihelmintic agent
* frequent contaminant of cocaine
Dosage
50 mg PO every 8 hours for 3 days, repeated every 2 weeks
Tabs: 50 mg (as base).
Adverse effects
- common (> 10%)
- less common (1-10%)
- stomatitis, vomiting, anorexia, abdominal pain, constipation, leukopenia, dermatitis, alopecia, fatigue, fever, rigors, edema, infection, taste disturbance, arthralgia, myalgia, dizziness, headache, paresthesia, somnolence, depression, nervousness, insomnia
- uncommon (< 1%)
- flatulence, dyspepsia, thrombocytopenia, anemia, granulocytopenia, epistaxis, pruritus, urticaria, chest pain, altered sense of smell, anxiety, abnormal tearing, blurred vision, conjunctivitis
- other
- rash
- hallucinations
- flu-like syndrome
- purpuric skin lesions most often on extremities & ears[3]
Drug interactions
- levamisole may increase phenytoin levels
- levamisole may increase anticoagulant effects of warfarin
- frequent contaminant of cocaine
Laboratory
Mechanism of action
- stimulates macrophages & T-lymphocytes
- has some antitumor effect