Egaten (triclabendazole)

Anthelmintics Oral Tablet

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Last reviewed · Source: First Databank (FDB) drug data

Overview

Triclabendazole, a benzimidazole derivative, is an anthelmintic agent.

Triclabendazole, a benzimidazole derivative, is an anthelmintic agent.

Triclabendazole has a very narrow spectrum of anthelmintic activity. The drug is active against certain trematodes (flukes), including Fasciola hepatica and F. gigantica (liver flukes) and Paragonimus (lung flukes), but has minimal activity against nematodes, cestodes, and other trematodes.

Although the mechanism of action of triclabendazole has not been fully elucidated, the drug binds to fluke beta-tubulin and inhibits microtubule formation. In vitro studies and studies in infected animals suggest that triclabendazole and its active sulfoxide and sulfone metabolites are absorbed by the tegument of immature and mature Fasciola, leading to a decrease of the resting membrane potential and inhibition of tubulin function as well as protein and enzyme synthesis. These metabolic disturbances in the organism are associated with inhibition of motility and disruption of the surface as well as ultrastructure, including inhibition of spermatogenesis and vitelline cells.

Triclabendazole apparently is more capable of binding to beta-tubulin of Fasciola than other benzimidazoles because of its unique structure.

Resistance to triclabendazole has been reported in animal cases of Fasciola infection and also has been reported occasionally in human cases of fascioliasis. Although the clinical importance of triclabendazole resistance in human cases has not been established, it has been suggested that treatment failures reported in patients with fascioliasis who received a recommended regimen of oral triclabendazole may have been related to triclabendazole resistance. Resistance to triclabendazole in flukes may be multifactorial and could include changes in drug uptake/efflux mechanisms, mutations in target molecules, and/or altered drug metabolism in the organism.

Following a single 10-mg/kg dose of oral triclabendazole given with a 560-kcal meal in patients with fascioliasis, peak plasma concentrations of unchanged drug and its active sulfoxide metabolite (triclabendazole sulfoxide) are attained within 3-4 hours. Compared with administration in the fasting state, administration with a 560-kcal meal results in a threefold increase in peak plasma concentrations and a twofold increase in the area under the plasma concentration-time curve (AUC) of triclabendazole and triclabendazole sulfoxide and increases the time to peak plasma concentrations of the sulfoxide metabolite by 2 hours. In vitro studies indicate that triclabendazole is principally metabolized (64%) to the active sulfoxide metabolite by cytochrome P-450 (CYP) isoenzyme 1A2 and, to a lesser extent, by CYP2C9, 2C19, 2D6, 3A, and flavin-containing monooxygenase (FMO).

The sulfoxide metabolite is further metabolized to an active sulfone metabolite (triclabendazole sulfone), principally by CYP2C9 and, to a lesser extent, by CYP1A1, 1A2, 1B1, 2C19, 2D6, and 3A4. Protein binding of triclabendazole, the sulfoxide metabolite, and the sulfone metabolite in human plasma is approximately 97, 98, and 99%, respectively. Animal studies indicate that oral triclabendazole is largely excreted via the biliary tract in feces (90%) as unchanged drug and sulfoxide and sulfone metabolites; less than 10% is excreted in urine.

The plasma elimination half-life of triclabendazole, triclabendazole sulfoxide, and triclabendazole sulfone is approximately 8, 14, and 11 hours, respectively.

Generic name: triclabendazole
Drug class: Anthelmintics
Therapeutic class: Anti-Infective Agents

Reference product & biosimilars

No reference, biosimilar or interchangeable associated with this drug.

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Indications

The following indications are listed for Egaten:

  • Fascioliasis

Also known as: Fasciola Infection.

Dosing

No dosing information is available for this tab.

Drug interactions

Formal drug interaction studies have not been performed using triclabendazole.

Contraindications

Triclabendazole is contraindicated in patients with known hypersensitivity to triclabendazole, other benzimidazole derivatives, or any excipients in the preparation.

Adverse reactions

In clinical studies, abdominal pain was reported in up to 56-93% of patients who received triclabendazole for the treatment of fascioliasis; right upper quadrant abdominal pain and biliary colic in such patients have been attributed to expulsion of dead or dying worms from the hepatobiliary system into the GI tract.

Other adverse effects reported in greater than 2% of patients receiving triclabendazole for the treatment of fascioliasis include hyperhidrosis, nausea, decreased appetite, headache, urticaria, diarrhea, vomiting, musculoskeletal chest pain, pruritus, and increased liver function tests.

Precautions

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ICD codes

CodeTypeDescription
Fascioliasis
B66.3ICD10CMFascioliasis

ICD code information from First Databank (FDB).

Formulary status

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Last reviewed · Source: First Databank (FDB) drug data