Niclosamide

Definition

Niclosamide is an antiparasitic drug primarily used to treat tapeworm infections in the gastrointestinal tract. It works by inhibiting the parasite's ability to generate energy, leading to its death.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Niclosamide is effective against adult tapeworms but not their larvae.
2. It is administered orally and poorly absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract, which helps it target intestinal parasites directly.
3. Common side effects of niclosamide include nausea, vomiting, and abdominal discomfort.
4. Niclosamide disrupts the oxidative phosphorylation pathway in tapeworms, impairing their ATP production.
5. The drug has been studied for potential use against other parasitic infections and even some viruses.

Review Questions

• What type of infections is niclosamide primarily used to treat?
• How does niclosamide affect the energy production of tapeworms?
• What are some common side effects associated with niclosamide?

Related terms

Anthelmintics: Drugs that expel or destroy parasitic worms.

Tapeworms: A group of parasitic flatworms that live in the intestines of their hosts.

Oxidative Phosphorylation: A metabolic pathway used by cells to produce ATP, which is disrupted by niclosamide in tapeworms.