Niclosamide Alcohol

Niclosamide [ni KLOE sa mide] is the drug of choice for most ces-tode (tapeworm) infections. Its action has been ascribed to inhibition of the parasite s mitochondrial anaerobic phosphorylation of ADP which produces usable energy in the form of ATP. The drug is lethal for the cestode s scolex and segments of cestodes but not for the ova. A laxative is administered prior to oral administration of niclosamide. This is done to purge the bowel of all dead segments in order to preclude digestion and liberation of the ova, which may lead to cysticercosis. Alcohol should be avoided within 1 day of niclosamide. 

Nausea headache dry mouth metalhc taste vomiting diarrhea insomnia weakness stomatitis vertigo paresthesias rash dark urine urethral burning disulfiram-like reaction with alcohol seizrrres encephalopathy pseudomembranous colitis ataxia leucopenia peripheral neuropathy pancreatitis Niclosamide Nausea abdominal pain Nifurtimox... 

Alcohol may possibly increase the adverse effects of niclosamide. 

The manufacturer of niclosamide advises avoiding alcohol while taking niclosamide. The reasoning behind this is that while niclosamide is virtually insoluble in water, it is slightly soluble in alcohol, which might possibly increase its absorption by the gut, resulting in an increase in its adverse effects. There are no formal reports of this but the manufacturer says that they have some anecdotal information that is consistent with this suggestion. ... 

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