Antiparasitic drugs

Antiparasitic drugs are used to combat various parasites. They work against parasites that live on the host (ectoparasites) as well as parasites that attack the inside of the host (endoparasites). There are also preparations that work against both forms of parasites at the same time.

What are anti-parasitic drugs?

Antiparasitics fight the many different types of parasites. Parasites are different forms of life that can affect humans either externally or internally. The external parasites include e.g. Lice, ticks and mites. Internal parasites would be the tapeworm and other types of worms that colonize the intestine and there are also various unicellular organisms that can infect their host internally.

Parasite infections can have unpleasant side effects and in some cases cause serious problems or secondary diseases. Therefore, a parasite infestation should always be treated with an appropriate antiparasitic agent.

The faster the treatment, the faster all parasites are fought. The more these spread on or in the body, the more time-consuming it is usually to combat them successfully.

Medical application, effect & use

There are several types of anti-parasitic drugs. You decide both in terms of their active ingredient and how they work. Some antiparasitic drugs contain certain toxins that specifically kill the parasites. The larvae and eggs of the parasites are also reliably killed.

Other preparations do not work quite as radically and provide e.g. only for sterility in the female animals. As a result, the parasite strain can no longer reproduce. However, eggs that have already been laid are often still completely intact. For this reason, a new treatment must take place after a certain time interval.

There is also another mode of action, e.g. likes to be used in lice. A shampoo contains a special active ingredient that sticks the lice's respiratory openings and thus suffocates them. Whether the eggs that have already been deposited are also killed can vary from product to product.

It is therefore always advisable to read the package insert carefully and to follow the instructions in it without compromise. How an antiparasitic is used depends, of course, on the type of parasite. In the case of internal parasites, an effect can only be achieved if the antiparasitic drug is administered orally. If it is an external parasite, e.g. Mites or lice, of course, must also be applied externally in order to achieve an effect.

Herbal, natural, homeopathic & pharmaceutical antiparasitic drugs

There are many different forms of anti-parasitic drugs. First of all, there are chemical and pharmaceutical preparations that contain a specific composition against the respective parasite.

Often insecticides are used here, which are not always considered to be completely safe for humans. However, they are usually highly effective and thus guarantee a quick and smooth killing of the parasites. The risk of secondary diseases is thus enormously minimized.

In addition to the chemical agents, a number of other antiparasitic drugs are available. Various herbal active ingredients are supposed to help naturally against certain types of parasites as antiparasitics. E.g. Coconut oil help against lice, but can also help with worm infestation. Various herbs and mixtures should also be able to counteract parasite infestation. And of course homeopathy also has some antiparasitics available.

Which antiparasitic is used is above all a matter of belief. While some people only use pharmaceutical anti-parasitic drugs because they do not believe in the effects of herbal or homeopathic remedies, others would never use chemicals to fight parasites. These people see the risk that the human body will be damaged by the chemical active substances too great.

Risks & side effects

Antiparasitic drugs usually always have possible side effects. Especially with chemical and pharmaceutical preparations there is a risk of intolerance reactions. These can e.g. show in the form of rashes. With the external use of antiparasitic drugs, hypersensitivity to the active ingredient involved can also lead to itching of the skin, in severe cases the skin can become red and inflamed.

Herbal antiparasitics from nature and homeopathic antiparasitics, on the other hand, have no serious side effects. However, their effect is quite controversial.

No matter which form of treatment you choose, it should be carried out conscientiously and exactly according to the instructions. In addition, the success of the treatment must be checked in each case so that, if necessary, further measures can be taken to finally fight the parasites with antiparasitics.

If left untreated, some parasites can cause serious complications and symptoms. Therefore, parasite infestation should never be taken lightly and treated conscientiously.