Skip to content

Antiparasitics iconAntiparasitics

Antiparasitic tablets and a topical treatment cover worm infections, scabies and malaria in this range. Stromectol, Hsquin and Albenza are among the recognised names here.

Stromectol

Ivermectin

3mg · 6mg · 12mg

Ivermectin tablets for strongyloidiasis and onchocerciasis. They paralyse and kill the parasites causing the infection.

From$1.89/ tabletView

Hsquin

Hydroxychloroquine

200mg · 300mg · 400mg

Hydroxychloroquine tablets for rheumatoid arthritis and lupus. It calms the immune system's attack on joints and tissues.

From$0.53/ tabletView

Albenza

Albendazole

400mg

Albendazole tablets for neurocysticercosis and hydatid disease. It disrupts the internal structure of the parasite's cells, starving it of nutrients.

From$0.68/ tabletView

Acticin

Permethrin

30g

Permethrin cream for scabies. A second application is usually needed to kill mites that hatch from eggs that survived the first treatment.

From$13.70/ tubeView

Biltricide

Praziquantel

600mg

Praziquantel tablets for schistosomiasis and fluke infections. It causes the parasites to contract and become paralysed so the body can remove them.

From$3.08/ tabletView

Lariam

Mefloquine

250mg

Mefloquine tablets for malaria. It kills the parasite once it has entered red blood cells.

From$7.96/ tabletView

Chloroquine Tablets

Chloroquine

250mg · 500mg

Chloroquine tablets for malaria and rheumatoid arthritis. It can cause severe nausea, so it is often taken with food to reduce stomach upset.

From$1.26/ tabletView

Key points

  • Parasites range from protozoa and helminths (worms) to ectoparasites such as scabies mites, so antiparasitic medicines are grouped by the organism they target.
  • Three of the seven medicines here, Hsquin, Lariam and Chloroquine Tablets, are listed for malaria.
  • Hsquin and Chloroquine Tablets are also listed for rheumatoid arthritis, and Hsquin for systemic lupus erythematosus too, not malaria alone.
  • Acticin is a topical permethrin treatment for scabies, the only tube form in this range.

Ivermectin, albendazole and other helminth medicines

Ivermectin is the macrocyclic lactone in Stromectol, listed for strongyloidiasis and onchocerciasis. Albendazole is the benzimidazole in Albenza, listed for neurocysticercosis and hydatid disease. Biltricide contains praziquantel, listed for schistosomiasis and fluke infections.

Aminoquinolines, mefloquine and a topical scabicide

Hydroxychloroquine is the aminoquinoline in Hsquin, and chloroquine is closely related in Chloroquine Tablets. Lariam contains mefloquine, listed for malaria. Acticin, containing permethrin, is the scabicide among these antiparasitic medicines, used for scabies.

Further reading