In case of overdosage, symptomatic therapy and general supportive measures are recommended.
Гелмодол-ВМZA is contraindicated in patients with known hypersensitivity to the benzimidazole class of compounds or any components of Гелмодол-ВМZA.
Because clinical trials are conducted under widely varying conditions, adverse reaction rates observed in the clinical trials of a drug cannot be directly compared to rates in the clinical trials of another drug and may not reflect the rates observed in practice.
The adverse reaction profile of Гелмодол-ВМZA differs between hydatid disease and neurocysticercosis. Adverse reactions occurring with a frequency of 1% or greater in either disease are described in Table 2 below.
These symptoms were usually mild and resolved without treatment. Treatment discontinuations were predominantly due to leukopenia (0.7%) or hepatic abnormalities (3.8% in hydatid disease). The following incidence reflects adverse reactions that were reported to be at least possibly or probably related to Гелмодол-ВМZA.
Table 2: Adverse Reaction Incidence 1% or Greater in Hydatid Disease and Neurocysticercosis
Adverse Reaction | Hydatid Disease | Neurocysticercosis |
Gastrointestinal | ||
Abdominal Pain | 6 | 0 |
Nausea | 4 | 6 |
Vomiting | 4 | 6 |
General disorders and administration site conditions | ||
Fever | 1 | 0 |
Investigations | ||
Elevated Hepatic Enzymes | 16 | less than 1 |
Nervous system disorders | ||
Dizziness | 1 | less than 1 |
Headache | 1 | 11 |
Meningeal Signs | 0 | 1 |
Raised Intracranial Pressure | 0 | 2 |
Vertigo | 1 | less than 1 |
Skin and subcutaneous tissue disorders | ||
Reversible Alopecia | 2 | less than 1 |
The following adverse events were observed at an incidence of less than 1%:
Blood and Lymphatic System Disorders : There have been reports of leukopenia, granulocytopenia, pancytopenia, agranulocytosis, or thrombocytopenia.
Immune System Disorders : Hypersensitivity reactions, including rash and urticaria.
Postmarketing ExperienceThe following adverse reactions have been identified during post-approval use of Гелмодол-ВМZA. Because these reactions are reported voluntarily from a population of uncertain size, it is not always possible to reliably estimate their frequency or establish a causal relationship to drug exposure.
Blood and Lymphatic System Disorders : Aplastic anemia, bone marrow suppression, neutropenia.
Eye Disorders : Vision blurred.
Gastrointestinal Disorders : Diarrhea.
General System Disorders : Asthenia.
Hepatobiliary Disorders : Elevations of hepatic enzymes, hepatitis, acute liver failure.
Musculoskeletal and Connective Tissue Disorders : Rhabdomyolysis.
Nervous System Disorders : Somnolence, convulsion.
Renal and Urinary Disorders : Acute renal failure.
Skin and Subcutaneous Tissue Disorders : Erythema multiforme, Stevens-Johnson syndrome.
Гелмодол-ВМZA is indicated for the treatment of parenchymal neurocysticercosis due to active lesions caused by larval forms of the pork tapeworm, Taenia solium.
Hydatid DiseaseГелмодол-ВМZA is indicated for the treatment of cystic hydatid disease of the liver, lung, and peritoneum, caused by the larval form of the dog tapeworm, Echinococcus granulosus.
Гелмодол-ВМdazole is poorly absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract due to its low aqueous solubility. Гелмодол-ВМdazole concentrations are negligible or undetectable in plasma as it is rapidly converted to the sulfoxide metabolite prior to reaching the systemic circulation. The systemic anthelmintic activity has been attributed to the primary metabolite, Гелмодол-ВМdazole sulfoxide. Oral bioavailability appears to be enhanced when Гелмодол-ВМdazole is coadministered with a fatty meal (estimated fat content 40 grams) as evidenced by higher (up to 5-fold on average) plasma concentrations of Гелмодол-ВМdazole sulfoxide as compared to the fasted state.
Maximal plasma concentrations of Гелмодол-ВМdazole sulfoxide were achieved 2 hours to 5 hours after dosing and were on average 1310 ng/mL (range 460 ng/mL to 1580 ng/mL) following oral doses of Гелмодол-ВМdazole (400 mg) in 6 hydatid disease patients, when administered with a fatty meal. Plasma concentrations of Гелмодол-ВМdazole sulfoxide increased in a dose-proportional manner over the therapeutic dose range following ingestion of a high-fat meal (fat content 43.1 grams). The mean apparent terminal elimination half-life of Гелмодол-ВМdazole sulfoxide ranged from 8 hours to 12 hours in 25 healthy subjects, as well as in 14 hydatid and 8 neurocysticercosis patients.
Following 4 weeks of treatment with Гелмодол-ВМdazole (200 mg three times daily), 12 patients' plasma concentrations of Гелмодол-ВМdazole sulfoxide were approximately 20% lower than those observed during the first half of the treatment period, suggesting that Гелмодол-ВМdazole may induce its own metabolism.
DistributionГелмодол-ВМdazole sulfoxide is 70% bound to plasma protein and is widely distributed throughout the body; it has been detected in urine, bile, liver, cyst wall, cyst fluid, and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF).
Concentrations in plasma were 3-fold to 10-fold and 2-fold to 4-fold higher than those simultaneously determined in cyst fluid and CSF, respectively.
Metabolism And ExcretionГелмодол-ВМdazole is rapidly converted in the liver to the primary metabolite, Гелмодол-ВМdazole sulfoxide, which is further metabolized to Гелмодол-ВМdazole sulfone and other primary oxidative metabolites that have been identified in human urine. Following oral administration, Гелмодол-ВМdazole has not been detected in human urine. Urinary excretion of Гелмодол-ВМdazole sulfoxide is a minor elimination pathway with less than 1% of the dose recovered in the urine. Biliary elimination presumably accounts for a portion of the elimination as evidenced by biliary concentrations of Гелмодол-ВМdazole sulfoxide similar to those achieved in plasma.
Included as part of the PRECAUTIONS section.
PRECAUTIONS Bone Marrow SuppressionFatalities associated with the use of Гелмодол-ВМZA have been reported due to granulocytopenia or pancytopenia Гелмодол-ВМZA may cause bone marrow suppression, aplastic anemia, and agranulocytosis. Monitor blood counts at the beginning of each 28-day cycle of therapy, and every 2 weeks while on therapy with Гелмодол-ВМZA in all patients. Patients with liver disease and patients with hepatic echinococcosis are at increased risk for bone marrow suppression and warrant more frequent monitoring of blood counts. Discontinue Гелмодол-ВМZA if clinically significant decreases in blood cell counts occur.
Teratogenic EffectsГелмодол-ВМZA may cause fetal harm and should not be used in pregnant women except in clinical circumstances where no alternative management is appropriate. Obtain pregnancy test prior to prescribing Гелмодол-ВМZA to women of reproductive potential. Advise women of reproductive potential to use effective birth control for the duration of Гелмодол-ВМZA therapy and for one month after end of therapy. Immediately discontinue Гелмодол-ВМZA if a patient becomes pregnant and apprise the patient of the potential hazard to the fetus.
Risk Of Neurologic Symptoms In NeurocysticercosisPatients being treated for neurocysticercosis should receive steroid and anticonvulsant therapy to prevent neurological symptoms (e.g. seizures, increased intracranial pressure and focal signs) as a result of an inflammatory reaction caused by death of the parasite within the brain.
Risk Of Retinal Damage In Patients With Retinal NeurocysticercosisCysticercosis may involve the retina. Before initiating therapy for neurocysticercosis, examine the patient for the presence of retinal lesions. If such lesions are visualized, weigh the need for anticysticeral therapy against the possibility of retinal damage resulting from inflammatory damage caused by Гелмодол-ВМZA-induced death of the parasite.
Hepatic EffectsIn clinical trials, treatment with Гелмодол-ВМZA has been associated with mild to moderate elevations of hepatic enzymes in approximately 16% of patients. These elevations have generally returned to normal upon discontinuation of therapy. There have also been case reports of acute liver failure of uncertain causality and hepatitis.
Monitor liver enzymes (transaminases) before the start of each treatment cycle and at least every 2 weeks during treatment. If hepatic enzymes exceed twice the upper limit of normal, consideration should be given to discontinuing Гелмодол-ВМZA therapy based on individual patient circumstances. Restarting Гелмодол-ВМZA treatment in patients whose hepatic enzymes have normalized off treatment is an individual decision that should take into account the risk/benefit of further Гелмодол-ВМZA usage. Perform laboratory tests frequently if Гелмодол-ВМZA treatment is restarted.
Patients with elevated liver enzyme test results are at increased risk for hepatotoxicity and bone marrow suppression. Discontinue therapy if liver enzymes are significantly increased or if clinically significant decreases in blood cell counts occur.
Unmasking Of Neurocysticercosis In Hydatid PatientsUndiagnosed neurocysticercosis may be uncovered in patients treated with Гелмодол-ВМZA for other conditions. Patients with epidemiologic factors who are at risk for neurocysticercosis should be evaluated prior to initiation of therapy.
Use In Specific Populations PregnancyPregnancy Category C.
There are no adequate and well-controlled studies of Гелмодол-ВМZA administration in pregnant women. Гелмодол-ВМZA should be used during pregnancy only if the potential benefit justifies the potential risk to the fetus.
Гелмодол-ВМZA should not be used in pregnant women except in clinical circumstances where no alternative management is appropriate. Obtain pregnancy test prior to prescribing Гелмодол-ВМZA to women of reproductive potential. Advise women of reproductive potential to use effective birth control for the duration of Гелмодол-ВМZA therapy and for one month after end of therapy. If a patient becomes pregnant while taking this drug, Гелмодол-ВМZA should be discontinued immediately. If pregnancy occurs while taking this drug, the patient should be apprised of the potential hazard to the fetus.
Гелмодол-ВМZA has been shown to be teratogenic (to cause embryotoxicity and skeletal malformations) in pregnant rats and rabbits. The teratogenic response in the rat was shown at oral doses of 10 and 30 mg/kg/day (0.10 times and 0.32 times the recommended human dose based on body surface area in mg/m², respectively) during gestation days 6 to 15 and in pregnant rabbits at oral doses of 30 mg/kg/day (0.60 times the recommended human dose based on body surface area in mg/m²) administered during gestation days 7 to 19. In the rabbit study, maternal toxicity (33% mortality) was noted at 30 mg/kg/day. In mice, no teratogenic effects were observed at oral doses up to 30 mg/kg/day (0.16 times the recommended human dose based on body surface area in mg/m²), administered during gestation days 6 to 15.
Nursing MothersГелмодол-ВМZA is excreted in animal milk. It is not known whether it is excreted in human milk. Because many drugs are excreted in human milk, caution should be exercised when Гелмодол-ВМZA is administered to a nursing woman.
Pediatric UseHydatid disease is uncommon in infants and young children. In neurocysticercosis, the efficacy of Гелмодол-ВМZA in children appears to be similar to that in adults.
Geriatric UseIn patients aged 65 and older with either hydatid disease or neurocysticercosis, there was insufficient data to determine whether the safety and effectiveness of Гелмодол-ВМZA is different from that of younger patients.
Patients With Impaired Renal FunctionThe pharmacokinetics of Гелмодол-ВМZA in patients with impaired renal function has not been studied.
Patients With Extra-Hepatic ObstructionIn patients with evidence of extrahepatic obstruction (n = 5), the systemic availability of Гелмодол-ВМdazole sulfoxide was increased, as indicated by a 2-fold increase in maximum serum concentration and a 7-fold increase in area under the curve. The rate of absorption/conversion and elimination of Гелмодол-ВМdazole sulfoxide appeared to be prolonged with mean Tmax and serum elimination half-life values of 10 hours and 31.7 hours, respectively. Plasma concentrations of parent Гелмодол-ВМZA were measurable in only 1 of 5 patients.
Dosing of Гелмодол-ВМZA will vary depending upon the indication. Гелмодол-ВМZA tablets may be crushed or chewed and swallowed with a drink of water. Гелмодол-ВМZA tablets should be taken with food.
Table 1: Гелмодол-ВМZA Dosage
Indication | Patient Weight | Dose | Duration |
Hydatid Disease | 60 kg or greater | 400 mg twice daily, with meals | 28-day cycle followed by a 14-day Гелмодол-ВМdazole-free interval, for a total of 3 cycles |
Less than 60 kg | 15 mg/kg/day given in divided doses twice daily with meals (maximum total daily dose 800 mg) | ||
Neurocysticercosis | 60 kg or greater | 400 mg twice daily, with meals | 8 to 30 days |
Less than 60 kg | 15 mg/kg/day given in divided doses twice daily with meals (maximum total daily dose 800 mg) |
Patients being treated for neurocysticercosis should receive appropriate steroid and anticonvulsant therapy as required. Oral or intravenous corticosteroids should be considered to prevent cerebral hypertensive episodes during the first week of treatment.
Monitoring For Safety Before And During Treatment