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Use of Levamisole

Levamisole (levamisole hydrochloride) is a medication used for cancer treatment, particularly colon cancer. It is an antineoplastic medicine that operates by disrupting the spreading and growth of cancer cells. Antineoplastic drugs inhibit the growth of potentially malignant neoplasms (abnormal tissue growths) by focusing on DNA.

  1. Primary Use

    • For the treatment of colon cancer, levamisole can used be used alone or alongside another medication (commonly 5-fluorouracil). These two medications together treat individuals with stage III colon cancer generally after tumor removal surgery.

    Flourouracil

    • Flourouracil is capable of stopping cancer cells from making more of themselves by interrupting the production of the hereditary substances that they carry. Combining levamisole and fluorouracil results in a type of adjuvant therapy, which is an extra treatment to prevent cancer from returning.

    Caution

    • Levamisole is not necessarily safe or recommended for everyone. Discuss with your doctor if you have had any type of seizure disorder, liver disease, blood clot or bleeding condition and bad bone marrow functioning. Symptoms of these conditions include seizures, jaundice, urinating with more frequency, thirstiness, chest ache, swelling, pain, increased warmth, redness, swollen lymph nodes, fever, bruising, bleeding, exhaustion and weakness.

    Minor Side Effects

    • Minor side effects associated with levamisole include diarrhea, appetite loss, nausea, vomiting, sores on the lips or inside of the mouth, itchiness and skin rash. If these side effects are bothersome or persistent, notify your physician.

    Severe Side Effects

    • Some people may experience rare severe side effects, which call for emergency medical attention. These include loss of consciousness, disorientation, confusion, loss of memory, extreme exhaustion, tingling or numbness, weakness of the muscles, disturbances of speech, convulsions, reduced functioning of bone marrow and blood issues (fever, infection and chills). Signs of serious allergic reaction include trouble breathing, hives, throat closing and swelling.

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