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Antiparasitic drugs are a group of medications used in the management and treatment of infections by parasites, including protozoa, helminths, and ectoparasites. Antiparasitic drugs include several classes of drugs that cover a broad range of diseases caused by parasites. This activity outlines the indications, mechanisms of action, adverse effects, and contraindications for various classes of antiparasitic drugs as valuable agents in the management of diseases such as malaria, pneumocystis, trypanosomiasis, and scabies. Objectives: Identify the mechanism of action of antiparasitic drugs. Describe the contraindications to antiparasitic drugs. Explain how to monitor for the toxicity of antiparasitic drugs appropriately. Summarize interprofessional team strategies for improving care coordination and communication to advance the delivery of care to patients with parasitic diseases and improve outcomes. Access free multiple choice questions on this topic.

Parasitic diseases constitute a large number of the 17 neglected tropical diseases identified by the World Health Organization (WHO). These diseases are of global importance as they affect over 1 billion people, including those who are very poor, cause debilitating disability, and often stigmatized. Enhancing healthcare outcomes for patients suffering from these diseases is multifaceted. Mass drug administration is key in the management of diseases such as onchocerciasis, lymphatic filariasis, and schistosomiasis. Community-directed treatment is recommended for the mass administration of drugs. Therefore, an interprofessional team approach consisting of the pharmacist needs to be aware that to attain better outcomes, the implementation of long term community programs is necessary for endemic regions.[41] In many cases, the antiparasitic drugs have severe adverse reactions, and thus, adherence with medications is low. Therefore, direct observer therapy by the pharmacist is essential if one wants to improve outcomes. Newer and safer drugs are necessary for the management of Chagas disease, leishmaniasis, and trypanosomiasis.[42] Mebendazole is associated with high failure rates in treating hookworm infections, and single-dose albendazole is associated with a low rate of cure for trichuriasis. Therefore, there is a high demand for research and innovations in the management of neglected tropical diseases.[43] Antiparasitic drug therapy is usually a response to exotic and/or rare diseases. The clinician (MD, DO, NP, or PA) needs to be aware of the possible presenting signs and symptoms, and also perform a thorough history of travel that covers endemic areas for these diseases. Nursing staff will also have responsibility for taking this type of patient history and will document if present, as well as providing appropriate monitoring once therapy has started. The pharmacist will verify the clinician has chosen the suitable agent, verify dosing, and provide counsel to patients. Nurses and pharmacists must report any concerns encountered to the prescriber for corrective action.

Antiparasitic drug therapy is usually a response to exotic and/or rare diseases. The clinician (MD, DO, NP, or PA) needs to be aware of the possible presenting signs and symptoms, and also perform a thorough history of travel that covers endemic areas for these diseases. Nursing staff will also have responsibility for taking this type of patient history and will document if present, as well as providing appropriate monitoring once therapy has started. The pharmacist will verify the clinician has chosen the suitable agent, verify dosing, and provide counsel to patients. Nurses and pharmacists must report any concerns encountered to the prescriber for corrective action. An infectious disease specialist is almost mandatory in these cases. Coordination between the clinicians, nursing, and pharmacy is crucial, since many of the drugs used are uncommon, and dosing and potential interactions are critical. In the same vein, nursing must be made aware of the possible adverse effects from medication therapy, and report at the first sign of these appearing to the rest of the interprofessional healthcare team; this will permit the prescribing clinician to alter dosing or therapeutic agents, again in tandem with consult from the pharmacy. Only through this type of interprofessional collaboration can the healthcare team drive positive outcomes for patients with these infections. [Level V]