<unk>  is an effective treatment for: * Flatworms * Fasciolosis * Cestodes (tapeworms), as an alternative to praziquantel or niclosamide for adult beef tapeworms (Taenia saginata) and as an alternative to praziquantel for pork tapeworms (T. solium). It is also given for infections by T. crassiceps. Though praziquantel is often better at treating tapeworm infections,<unk>  is used more often in endemic countries due to being cheaper and having a broader spectrum. * Cysticercosis (especially neurocysticercosis), which is caused by the larval form of the pork tapeworm (i.e.<unk>  is the drug of choice for larval pork tapeworms, but not adult pork tapeworms). Old cysts are not affected. * Hydatid disease (aka echinococcosis) of the liver, lung, and peritoneum (caused by the larval form of the dog tapeworm, Echinococcus granulosus) or of the alveoli (caused by E. multilocularis) when surgical excision is not possible. Some suggest that alveolar and cystic echinococcosis require lifelong treatment with<unk> , which only prevents the parasites from growing and reproducing rather than killing them outright. * Nematodes * Ascariasis, which can be cured with a single dose of<unk> . * Baylisascariasis, caused by the raccoon roundworm. If treatment with<unk>  is initiated within 72 hours of ingestion of the egg-containing raccoon feces, good results (95%-100% efficacy, with<unk>  being orally administered for a 10-day period) can be expected. Corticosteroids are sometimes added in cases of eye and CNS infections. * Enterobiasis (pinworm infection) * Filariasis; since<unk> 's disintegration of the microfilarie ("pre-larva") can cause an allergic reaction, antihistamines or corticosteroids are sometimes added to treatment. In cases of lymphatic filariasis (elephantiasis) caused by Wuchereria bancrofti or Brugia malayi,<unk>  is sometimes given as an adjunct to ivermectin or diethylcarbamazine in order to suppress microfilaremia. It can also be given for loa loa filariasis as an adjunct or replacement to diethylcarbamazine.<unk>  has an embryotoxic effect on Loa loa adults and thus slowly reduces microfilaremia. * Gnathostomiasis when caused by Gnathostoma spinigerum.<unk>  has a similar effectiveness to ivermectin in these cases, though it needs to be given for 21 days rather than the 2 days needed for ivermectin. * Gongylonemiasis * Hookworm infections, including cutaneous larva migrans caused by hookworms in the genus Ancylostoma. A single dose of<unk>  is sufficient to treat intestinal infestations by A. duodenale or Necator americanus * Intestinal capillariasis, as an alternative to mebendazole * Mansonelliasis when caused by Mansonella perstans.<unk>  works against the adult worms but not against the younger microfilariae. * Oesophagostomumiasis, when caused by Oesophagostomum bifurcum * Strongyloidiasis, as an alternative to ivermectin or thiabendazole<unk>  can be given with diethylcarbamazine to lower microfilaremia levels. * Toxocariasis, also called "visceral larva migrans", when caused by the dog roundworm Toxocara canis or cat roundworm T. catis. Corticosteroids can be added in severe cases, and surgery might be required to repair secondary damage. * Trichinosis, when caused by Trichinella spiralis or T. pseudospiralis.<unk>  has a similar efficacy to thiabendazole, but fewer side effects. It works best when given early, acting on the adult worms in the intestine before they generate larva that can penetrate the muscle and cause a more widespread infection. Corticosteroids are sometimes added on to prevent inflammation caused by dying larva. * Trichostrongyliasis, as an alternative to pyrantel pamoate. A single dose is sufficient for treatment. * Trichuriasis (whipworm infection), sometimes considered as an alternative to mebendazole and sometimes considered to be the drug of choice. Only a single dose of<unk>  is needed. It can also be given with ivermectin. * Giardiasis, as an alternative or adjunct to metronidazole, especially in children * Microsporidiosis, including ocular microsporidiosis caused by Encephalitozoon hellem or E. cuniculi, when combined with topical fumagillin * Granulomatous amoebic encephalitis, when caused by the ameba Balamuthia mandrillaris, in combination with miltefosine and fluconazole * Arthropods * Crusted scabies, when combined with topical crotamiton and salicylic acid * Head lice infestation, though ivermectin is much better * Intestinal myiasis Though<unk>  is effective in treating many diseases, it is only FDA-approved for treating hydatid disease caused by dog tapeworm larvae and neurocysticercosis caused by pork tapeworm larvae. Pregnancy<unk>  is a pregnancy class D drug in Australia and pregnancy class C in the United States. It is contraindicated in the first trimester of pregnancy, and should be avoided up to one month before conception. While studies in pregnant rats and rabbits have shown<unk>  to be teratogenic,<unk>  has been found to be safe in humans during the second and third trimesters. It can, however, possibly cause infantile eczema when given during pregnancy. In pregnant dogs,<unk>  use has led to puppies with reduced weight and with cleft palates. Birds have lower rates of laying eggs and hatching when given<unk> .<unk>  sulfoxide is secreted into breast milk at around 1.5% of the maternal dose, though oral absorption is poor enough that it is unlikely to affect nursing infants.
Albendazole
Flubendazole
Tiabendazole
Mebendazole
Triclabendazole
Praziquantel
Pyrantel
Avermectin