Diethylcarbamazine ‘Hetrazan

Diethylcarbamazine (Hetrazan) is used to treat certain roundworm infections of the lymphatics and connective tissues, including loiasis, onchocerciasis, and Bancroft filariasis. This agent immobilizes immature roundworms (microfilariae) and facilitates the destruction of these microfilariae by the body s immune system. Diethylcarbamazine is also effective against the adult forms of certain roundworms, but the mechanism of this anthelmintic action against mature nematodes is not known. 

Diethylcarbamazine (hetrazan) is formulated as the water-soluble citrate salt. 

Diethylcarbamazine is a derivative of piperazine. The mechanism of its action is not completely understood. However, it is highly likely that it causes a reduction in muscular activity, and even paralysis in hehninthes. It quickly gets rid of the parasites Brugia malayi, Loa loa, and Wuchereria bancrofti, and it is also used for diseases caused by Onchocerca volvulus and Mansonella strptocerca. Synonyms of this drug are hetrazan, notezine, banoside, and others. 

Diethylcarbamazine citrate (Hetrazan) is active against several microfilaria and adult filarial worms. It interferes with the metabolism of arachidonic acid and blocks the production of prostaglandins, resulting in capillary vasoconstriction and impairment of the passage of the microfilaria. Diethylcarbamazine also increases the adherence of microfilariae to the vascular wall, platelets, and granulocytes. 

Synonyms. Diethylcarbamazine Acid Citrate Ditrazini Citras. Proprietary Names. Banocide Hetrazan Notezine. 

Kumar K, Chakrabarti T, Srivastava GP. Sustained release tablet formulation of diethylcarbamazine citrate (Hetrazan). Indian J Pharm 1975 37 57-59. 

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