Last update Feb. 3, 2024

Levamisole

Likely Compatibility

Fairly safe. Mild or unlikely adverse effects. Compatible under certain circumstances. Follow-up recommended. Read Commentary.

Levamisole is a nicotinic receptor agonist used to treat helminth infections. Single dose oral administration.

At the time of the last update, we found no published data on its excretion in breast milk.

Its pharmacokinetic data facilitate excretion in breast milk and subsequent absorption by the infant.

No problems were observed in 6 infants of mothers treated with levamisole. (Kuemmerle 2020, Schmid 2012)

WHO essential drug list: compatible with breastfeeding, (WHO-UNICEF 2002)

It has been withdrawn from the market in many countries because it may cause serious adverse effects, including agranulocytosis. It is also used as a cocaine adulterant. (Cascio 2018)

Alternatives

  • Mebendazole (Safe product and/or breastfeeding is the best option.)
  • Pyrantel Embonate (Safe product and/or breastfeeding is the best option.)

Suggestions made at e-lactancia are done by APILAM team of health professionals, and are based on updated scientific publications. It is not intended to replace the relationship you have with your doctor but to compound it. The pharmaceutical industry contraindicates breastfeeding, mistakenly and without scientific reasons, in most of the drug data sheets.

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Other names

Levamisole in other languages or writings:

Group

Levamisole belongs to this group or family:

Tradenames

Main tradenames from several countries containing Levamisole in its composition:

Pharmacokinetics

Variable Value Unit
Oral Bioavail. Alta - Hig %
Molecular weight 241 daltons
Protein Binding 20 - 25 %
Tmax 1.5 - 4 hours
T½ 3 - 5 hours

References

  1. Kuemmerle A, Schmid C, Kande V, Mutombo W, Ilunga M, Lumpungu I, Mutanda S, Nganzobo P, Ngolo D, Kisala M, Valverde Mordt O. Prescription of concomitant medications in patients treated with Nifurtimox Eflornithine Combination Therapy (NECT) for T.b. gambiense second stage sleeping sickness in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. PLoS Negl Trop Dis. 2020 Jan 27;14(1):e0008028. Abstract Full text (link to original source)
  2. Cascio MJ, Jen KY. Cocaine/levamisole-associated autoimmune syndrome: a disease of neutrophil-mediated autoimmunity. Curr Opin Hematol. 2018 Jan;25(1):29-36. Abstract
  3. Schmid C, Kuemmerle A, Blum J, Ghabri S, Kande V, Mutombo W, Ilunga M, Lumpungu I, Mutanda S, Nganzobo P, Tete D, Mubwa N, Kisala M, Blesson S, Mordt OV. In-hospital safety in field conditions of nifurtimox eflornithine combination therapy (NECT) for T. b. gambiense sleeping sickness. PLoS Negl Trop Dis. 2012 Abstract Full text (link to original source)
  4. WHO / UNICEF. BREASTFEEDING AND MATERNAL MEDICATION Recommendations for Drugs in the Eleventh WHO Model List of Essential Drugs. Department of Child and Adolescent Health and Development (WHO/UNICEF) 2002 Abstract Full text (link to original source) Full text (in our servers)

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