Diethylcarbamazine Citrate
Also known as: Hetrazan, Banocide, Diethizine, Filarcidan, Notezine, DEC
* **Daily Administration**: Unlike modern monthly heartworm preventatives, this medication must be given **every single day** to be effective. Give all doses exactly as directed by your veterinarian. * **Testing is Mandatory**: Dogs **must** be checked for heartworm microfilaria before starting or restarting this medication in the spring. Giving this drug to a dog with an active heartworm infection can cause a fatal allergic reaction. * **Routine Screening**: Dogs receiving this medication year-round should be tested for heartworms every six months. * **Administration Tip**: Giving the medication with food or immediately after a meal may help prevent stomach upset.
Dosage must be set by your veterinarian for your specific pet. Never give human medication or another pet’s prescription without veterinary guidance.
What it is used for
- Treatment of ascarids
- Heartworm prophylaxis
- Treatment of early stages of Dictyocaulus viviparous infestations
- Heartworm prophylaxis
- Heartworm prophylaxis
- Heartworm prophylaxis
- Heartworm prophylaxis
- Treatment of ascarids
- Treatment of lungworms (Crenosoma vulpis)
How it is given
Possible side effects
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Fixed drug eruptions (rare)
- Severe anaphylactoid reaction (in microfilaremic dogs)
- Hepatic injury (reported in cats)
Cautions & contraindications
- Dogs with circulating microfilaria (due to risk of severe shock-like reaction)
- > **CRITICAL WARNING**: DEC is strictly contraindicated in dogs with circulating microfilariae. * Administration to microfilaremic dogs can trigger a severe, potentially fatal **anaphylactoid (shock-like) reaction** within 20 minutes to 2 hours. Signs include salivation, vomiting, ataxia, shock, and DIC. * Always verify a negative heartworm test (specifically checking for microfilaria) before initiating therapy. * If microfilaria are detected in dogs undergoing adulticide therapy while on DEC, stop DEC immediately until microfilaria are eliminated. * Rare reports of infertility in male dogs exist, though controlled studies show no adverse effects on semen.
Drug interactions
- Pyrantel: Theoretical enhancement of toxic effects due to shared nicotine-like mechanism of action; use with intensified monitoring.
- Morantel: Theoretical enhancement of toxic effects due to shared nicotine-like mechanism of action; use with intensified monitoring.
- Levamisole: Theoretical enhancement of toxic effects due to shared nicotine-like mechanism of action; use with intensified monitoring.
Frequently asked questions
What is Diethylcarbamazine Citrate used for in pets?
* **Daily Administration**: Unlike modern monthly heartworm preventatives, this medication must be given **every single day** to be effective. Give all doses exactly as directed by your veterinarian. * **Testing is Mandatory**: Dogs **must** be checked for heartworm microfilaria before starting or restarting this medication in the spring. Giving this drug to a dog with an active heartworm infection can cause a fatal allergic reaction. * **Routine Screening**: Dogs receiving this medication year-round should be tested for heartworms every six months. * **Administration Tip**: Giving the medication with food or immediately after a meal may help prevent stomach upset.
Is Diethylcarbamazine Citrate safe for my pet?
Dosage must be set by your veterinarian for your specific pet. Never give human medication or another pet’s prescription without veterinary guidance.
This article is for general education and is not a substitute for professional veterinary advice. If your pet is unwell, please consult a veterinarian.
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