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An antiparasitic is a medicine used to treat infections caused by parasites. Parasites can include worms, protozoa, and ectoparasites such as lice or mites. Antiparasitics work by killing parasites, stopping their growth, or helping the body clear them. The right medicine depends on the parasite, infection site, age, pregnancy status, and overall health.
read more about antiparasitic ...Antiparasitic medicines target processes that parasites need to survive. Some paralyze worms, some interfere with parasite energy production, and others block growth or reproduction. Medicines for protozoa can work differently from medicines for worms or mites. A correct diagnosis matters because one antiparasitic does not treat every parasite.
Antiparasitics are used for infections such as pinworm, roundworm, hookworm, tapeworm, giardiasis, malaria, scabies, lice, and toxoplasmosis. Some infections can be treated with a single dose, while others need longer treatment or repeat dosing. Household members or close contacts can also need treatment for certain contagious parasites. A clinician should check symptoms after travel, persistent diarrhea, unexplained weight loss, rash, severe itching, or suspected malaria.
Common antiparasitic medicines include albendazole, mebendazole, pyrantel, ivermectin, permethrin, metronidazole, tinidazole, praziquantel, atovaquone-proguanil, chloroquine, artemether-lumefantrine, and pyrimethamine. Some are taken by mouth, while others are applied to the skin or scalp. Antimalarial medicines are a specific subgroup used for malaria prevention or treatment. The medicine choice depends on testing, exposure history, and local resistance patterns.
Antiparasitics can cause nausea, diarrhea, stomach pain, headache, dizziness, rash, itching, or liver enzyme changes. Some can interact with blood thinners, seizure medicines, HIV medicines, or other prescriptions. Pregnancy, breastfeeding, young age, liver disease, and immune system problems can change treatment choices. Seek care for high fever, confusion, severe dehydration, bloody diarrhea, breathing trouble, seizures, or symptoms that worsen during treatment.
Yes, some antiparasitics treat worm infections. Examples include albendazole, mebendazole, pyrantel, and praziquantel, depending on the worm involved.
Yes, ivermectin is an antiparasitic medicine. It is used for selected parasite infections under medical guidance.
Yes, antimalarial medicines are antiparasitics used to prevent or treat malaria. The right medicine depends on the region, parasite type, and resistance patterns.
Sometimes, yes. Pinworm, lice, or scabies can require treatment of close contacts, but the plan depends on the parasite and clinician guidance.
Antiparasitic Drugs: Malaria, Toxoplasmosis, Parasitic Infection. Cleveland Clinic. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/drugs/22945-antiparasitic-drugs. Date Accessed June 3, 2026.
Antiparasitic Drugs. StatPearls (NCBI Bookshelf). https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK544251/. Date Accessed June 3, 2026.
Parasites. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. https://www.cdc.gov/parasites/index.html. Date Accessed June 3, 2026.
Albendazole: MedlinePlus Drug Information. MedlinePlus. https://medlineplus.gov/druginfo/meds/a610019.html. Date Accessed June 3, 2026.
Permethrin Topical: MedlinePlus Drug Information. MedlinePlus. https://medlineplus.gov/druginfo/meds/a698037.html. Date Accessed June 3, 2026.