Medicine for Eye Parasites in Humans

As unpleasant as it sounds, eye parasites, including worms, bacterial infections and protzoans, are common in some countries. The parasites may live in food, animals or particular habitats such as streams and rivers. You can contract them by eating undercooked pork, bathing in contaminated water, and and eating lettuce or produce touched by contaminated workers. Treatment is available, usually in tablet form, that kills the infection over a course of weeks. Not all medicines are safe for everyone.

Malaria Treatment

• Pyrimethamine, which is commonly used with sulfadiazine, is an antiparasitic drug also used to treat and prevent malaria. It stops the growth and reproduction of parasites. As pyrimethamine may cause sour stomach and vomiting, patients may need to eat smaller or fewer meals while taking it. Pyrimethamine is not advised for people with a history of seizures, kidney disease, anemia or allergic reactions to the drug. Side effects are insomnia, headache, nausea with vomiting, lightheadedness and dry mouth.

Protozoal Infections

• Benznidazole is an antiprotozoal that treats Chagas' disease. It works by killing protozoa, which are tiny, one-celled parasites that can live in the eyes. This medicine is not advised for pregnant women, children or the elderly. In all cases, it should be taken with extreme care. Common side effects include seizures, numbness and tingling in the extremities. Rarer side effects include bruising or bleeding, memory loss and confusion.

Protozoal Infections

• Metronidazole is an antiprotozoal and antibacterial used to treat parasite infection before, during, and after its onset. It is thought to work by penetrating and destroying bacteria cells. This drug should be used only as a last resort. In clinical trials, it has been associated with increased risk of cancer. Other adverse reactions vary with the individual. It can be dangerous when used with many other medications, including those for brain, allergy and heart conditions.

Parasitic Infections

• DEC is frequently prescribed with other anti-parasitic medicines to help kill infections and parasites present in the eyes. A synthetic and organic combination of drugs, the treatment is vastly different than many of the other antiparisitic medications. DEC treats Bancroft's filariasis, eosinophilic lung, loiasis and river blindness (onchocerciasis). It kills certain worm parasites, but not other parasites such as pinworms or tapeworms.

Caution

• If you are carrying an infectious disease, be sure to have it treated as it will only grow with time. Take all medicines as prescribed and do not begin your normal lifestyle regime until all parasites are killed and you are disease free.