Medication Summary

The goals of pharmacotherapy are to reduce morbidity and to prevent complications.

Class Summary

These agents inhibit growth and proliferation of parasites.

Ivermectin

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Semisynthetic, broad-spectrum antiparasitic agent isolated from Streptomyces avermitilis. It is a mixture of 5-O demethyl-22,23-dihydroavermectin A (90%) and 5-O demethyl-25-de (1-methylpropyl)-22,23-dihydro-25- (1-methylethyl) avermectin A1a (10%).

Selectively binds to glutamate-gated chloride ion channels in muscles and nerve cells of the invertebrate. Increased permeability of cell membrane to chloride ions leads to hyperpolarization of the nerve or muscle cell, paralysis, and death of the parasite.

Active against various life-cycle stages of many nematodes, including microfilariae of O volvulus but has no effect on adult worm.

Metabolized in liver. Plasma half-life is 16 hours, 99% excreted in feces and 1% in urine. Available as 6 mg tab for oral administration. Given as single dose of 12 mg (two 6 mg tab) or 150 mcg/kg.

Moxidectin

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Moxidectin, a macrocyclic lactone, is an anthelmintic indicated for the treatment of onchocerciasis due to Onchocerca volvulus in patients aged 12 years and older. Plasma half-life is 20-43 days and thereby reduces and maintains low skin microfilarial density effectively. Moxidectin does not kill adult O volvulus. Follow-up evaluation is advised. Safety and efficacy of repeat administration has not been studied.

Doxycycline

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Tetracycline antibiotic who binds to the 30S ribosomal subunit in the mRNA translation complex therefore inhibiting tRNA to join the mRNA ribosome complex. In O. volvulus, it interferes with microfilarial embryogenesis. It has modes activity against adult works, decreasing them by 50%-60%. It also kills the endosymbiont Wolbachia.

Follow-up

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Author

Debora E Garcia-Zalisnak, MD Resident Physician, Department of Ophthalmology, Eastern Virginia Medical School

Debora E Garcia-Zalisnak, MD is a member of the following medical societies: Alpha Omega Alpha, American Academy of Ophthalmology, American College of Physicians

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Coauthor(s)

John D Sheppard, Jr, MD, MMSc Professor of Ophthalmology, Microbiology and Molecular Biology, Clinical Director, Thomas R Lee Center for Ocular Pharmacology, Ophthalmology Residency Research Program Director, Eastern Virginia Medical School; President, Virginia Eye Consultants

John D Sheppard, Jr, MD, MMSc is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Ophthalmology, American Society for Microbiology, American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery, American Uveitis Society, Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology

Disclosure: Serve(d) as a director, officer, partner, employee, advisor, consultant or trustee for: 1-800-DOCTORS; AbbVie; Alcon; Aldeyra; Allergan; Alphaeon; ArcScan; Baush+Lomb; Bio-Tissue; Clearside; EyeGate; Hovione; Mededicus; NovaBay; Omeros; Pentavision; Portage; Santen; Science Based Health; Senju; Shire; Sun Pharma; TearLab;TearScience;Topivert<br/>Serve(d) as a speaker or a member of a speakers bureau for: AbbVie; Alcon; Allergan; Bausch+Lomb; Bio-tissue; EyeGate;Hovione;LayerBio; NovaBay;Omeros;Portage; Santen; Shire; Stemnion; Sun Pharma;TearLab;TearScience; Topivert <br/>Received research grant from: Alcon; Aldeyra; allergan; Baush+ Lomb; EyeGate; Hovione; Kala; Ocular Therapeutix;Pfizer; RPS; Santen;Senju;Shire;Topcon; Xoma.

Specialty Editor Board

Simon K Law, MD, PharmD Clinical Professor of Health Sciences, Department of Ophthalmology, Jules Stein Eye Institute, University of California, Los Angeles, David Geffen School of Medicine

Simon K Law, MD, PharmD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Ophthalmology, Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology, American Glaucoma Society

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

R Christopher Walton, MD Adjunct Professor, Department of Ophthalmology, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio

R Christopher Walton, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Ophthalmology, American Uveitis Society

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Chief Editor

Hampton Roy, Sr, MD † Associate Clinical Professor, Department of Ophthalmology, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences

Hampton Roy, Sr, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Ophthalmology, American College of Surgeons, Pan-American Association of Ophthalmology

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Acknowledgements

Deborah R Eezzuduemhoi, MD Assistant Professor, Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Texas Tech University, Health Sciences Center School of Medicine

Deborah R Eezzuduemhoi, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Ophthalmology, American Academy of Pediatrics, and Women in Ophthalmology, Inc

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Deborah Wilson, MD Director of Glaucoma Service, Assistant Professor, Department of Ophthalmology, Georgetown University Medical Center

Deborah Wilson, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Ophthalmology and American College of Physicians

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.