Human helminth care manual: Difference between revisions

==== ✅ H2 antagonists are safe ====

<blockquote>

H2 antagonists are a separate class of drugs from '''proton-pump Inhibitors''' (see separate section).

</blockquote>

One subject who has taken large quantities of the malaria drug [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hydroxychloroquine hydroxychloroquine] concurrently with HT, did not

observe any adverse effect on his worms.

===  Antiprotozoals ===

❌[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Metronidazole Metronidazole] (Flagyl). This is one of three derivatives of ❌[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nitroimidazole nitroimidazole] that is used against anaerobic bacterial

and parasitic, as well as protozoan, infections. One hookworm host has reported[https://www.facebook.com/groups/htsupport/permalink/861694407219849/?comment_id=861879177201372&offset=0&total_comments=3&comment_tracking=%7B%22tn%22:%22R%22%7D] losing her colony to this drug,

which should never be combined with [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mebendazole mebendazole] due a risk that, together, they may cause [http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1447769/ Stevens-Johnson Syndrome/Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis], something about which many doctors and pharmacists may be unaware, especially in the US.

=== Antivirals ===

* ✅ [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Famciclovir Famciclovir] (Famvir) -- One hookworm host took Famciclovir (500mg) 3 times per day for many months without any noticeable effect on her colony. [https://www.facebook.com/groups/htsupport/permalink/884990498223573/?comment_id=885041121551844&offset=0&total_comments=6&comment_tracking=%7B%22tn%22:%22R%22%7D]

* ❌ Nitazoxanide (See separate entry under Anthelminthics)

* [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cyclosporin cyclosporin]

* synthetic [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Corticosteroid corticosteroids]  

likely cause a rebound effect that could result in a flare and, potentially, a loss of worms. This is explained in more

detail here[https://www.facebook.com/groups/htsupport/permalink/480176928704934/?qa_ref=pp&comment_id=480224828700144&offset=0&total_comments=4&comment_tracking=%7B%22tn%22:%22R2%22%7D&hc_location=ufi].

this is safe to be used concurrently with helminthic therapy. In fact, many who have used the two therapies together have been very pleased with the combined effects.

=== Laxatives ===

It is possible to lose hookworms to diarrhoea/diarrhea, but only if this is very severe, or severe and prolonged, i.e.,

lasting for several weeks. (More detail here[https://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/helminthictherapy/conversations/messages/10756]) People who get diarrhoea/diarrhea as a side effect following their first

but laxatives could potentially flush them out before this, especially around 21-22 days post inoculation. It may

therefore be best to avoid the use of laxatives around this time. After 28 days, they should not be affected at all.

=== Recreational drugs ===

== Miscellaneous pharmaceuticals and chemicals ==

''' ✅ Safe for worms unless marked otherwise'''

* ❓ [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zovirax Aciclovir] (Cyclovir, Herpex, Acivir, Acivirax, Zovirax, Zoral, Xovir and Imavir). There have been no reported problems with this drug so far. See also the related drug, Valaciclovir/valacyclovir.  

== Medical procedures  ==

''' ✅ Safe for worms unless marked otherwise'''

* [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Colonoscopy Colonoscopy]<br>As whipworms live in the colon, they may be at some risk of being struck by a colonoscope, but much of their body is embedded in the soft mucosa, and they are well lubricated with mucus, so few, if any, are likely to be damaged. Hookworms should not be affected by colonoscopy at all because they live in the small intestine, which is much higher up the GI tract. Hookworms might possibly be seen during a colonoscopy, but only if the colonoscope is advanced into the terminal ileum, and only then if any hookworms have taken up residence in the ileum, which is not common as they normally concentrate in the upper part of the jejunum, which is above the ileum, and is shown in red in this representation.<br><br><span style="width:auto; background-color:#F5FAFF;border: 1px solid #CEDFF2; padding:12px;"> mouth ➤ oesophagus ➤ stomach ➤ [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Duodenum duodenum] ➤ [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jejunum <span style="color:red;">jej</span>unum] ➤ [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ileum ileum] ➤ colon ➤ rectum ➤ </span><br><br>Anaesthesia for colonoscopy is likely to involve the use of [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Opioids opioid] pain killers ([http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fentanyl fentanyl], etc.), [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Benzodiazepine benzodiazepine] anaesthetics ([http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Versed Versed], etc.) and/or [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Narcotic_analgesic narcotic analgesics], all of which appear to be harmless to helminths. If a general anaesthetic incorporating ❌'''nitrous oxide''' (see entry above) were used, this would definitely kill hookworms - and possibly whipworms too, though this is less certain. The injected anaesthetic, '''propofol''', appears to be the only worm-safe general anaesthetic, and this is arguably the anaesthetic of choice[http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/02/110215111817.htm] for endoscopic procedures, and is safe for use in children[http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26089466] (See [[#Anaesthetics|Anaesthetics]] section for more detail), (See [[#Laxatives|Laxatives]] regarding colonoscopy prep).

=== Foods ===

<blockquote>

* [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bitter_melon Bitter melon] (momordica charantia). This cucumber-shaped vegetable found in Asian markets is also known as karela, ampalaya and bitter gourd. Both fruit and seeds have been and still are used in a number of countries to treat pinworm infections, and for expelling parasites generally. However, the quantities quoted as being necessary in order to eradicate worms are rather large, for example two whole melons each day for seven to ten days, repeated after two months. It is therefore unlikely that normal dietary amounts of bitter melon will adversely affect helminths.

=== Nutritional supplements ===

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* [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/5-Hydroxytryptophan 5-HTP] (5-Hydroxytryptophan, also known as oxitriptan and marketed under trade names such as Cincofarm, Levothym, Levotonine, Oxyfan, Telesol, Tript-OH and Triptum) This is used as an antidepressant, appetite suppressant and sleep aid. One hookworm host has reported[https://www.facebook.com/groups/htsupport/permalink/811459492243341/?comment_id=811659322223358&offset=0&total_comments=3&comment_tracking=%7B%22tn%22:%22R%22%7D] taking 5-HTP without any adverse effect on her worms.

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==== List of herbs ====

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* ⚡ [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Acacia Acacia]. Also known as thorntree, [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Whistling_thorn whistling thorn], or wattle. One example of this genus of shrubs and trees, ([http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Acacia_mollissima Acacia mearnsii], previously known as Acacia molissima) contains tannin extracts that have been found to have an [http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0377840107003641 anthelmintic effect] on Haemonchus contortus and Trichostrongylus colubriformis in lambs.