Niclosamide

Niclosamide
Systematic (IUPAC) name
5-chloro-N-(2-chloro-4-nitrophenyl)-2-hydroxybenzamide
Identifiers
CAS number	50-65-7
ATC code	P02DA01 QP52AG03
PubChem	4477
Chemical data
Formula	C13H8Cl2N2O4
Mol. mass	327.119 g/mol
SMILES	eMolecules & PubChem
Pharmacokinetic data
Bioavailability	?
Metabolism	?
Half life	?
Excretion	?
Therapeutic considerations
Pregnancy cat.	?
Legal status
Routes	?

Niclosamide (trade name Niclocide) is a teniacide ("tenia-" referring to tapeworm) in the anthelmintic family especially effective against cestodes that infect humans. It is also used as a piscicide.It is stressed that while anthelmintics are a drug family used to treat worm infections, Niclosamide is used specifically to treat tapeworms and is not effective against worms such as pinworms or roundworms. It is a chewable tablet taken orally, dosage depending on type of worm and patient's age and/or weight. Niclosamide molecules are lethal to tapeworms upon contact.

Side effects

The medication can have side effects such as abdominal pain, anorexia, diarrhea, and emesis. Rarely, dizziness, skin rash, drowsiness, perianal itching, and an unpleasant taste.

Mechanism of action

According to an article in Nature,^[1] niclosamide uncouples oxidative phosphorylation in the tapeworm.

Use in USA

Niclosamide is no longer marketed in the United States. ^[2]

References

1. ^ Weinbach EC, Garbus J (1969). "Mechanism of action of reagents that uncouple oxidative phosphorylation". Nature 221 (5185): 1016–8. doi:10.1038/2211016a0. 
2. ^ {{http://www.accessdata.fda.gov/Scripts/cder/DrugsatFDA>}}

• Taber, Clarence Wilbur; Venes, Donald; Thomas, Clayton L. (2001). Taber's cyclopedic medical dictionary. Philadelphia: F.A.Davis Co. 
• Additional Medication Information:Medline
• http://www.drugs.com/cons/Niclosamide.html

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