A review of clinical experience with oxamniquine

Oxamniquine has now been in general use for 11 years for the treatment of schistosomiasis mansoni. Dosage varies with the geographical origin of the parasites due to different susceptibilities of local strains, and the appropriate regimen can be expected to cure over 80% of patients and reduce egg excretion in others by over 90%. The drug has been used safely in all stages of the disease. Some late-stage and complicated forms have shown clinical improvement, and prognosis has been improved in all by the removal of the causative organisms. Toleration is usually good with side effects limited to a mild, transient dizziness. Neuropsychiatric disturbances have been recorded in a small number of patients, and care should be taken in treating subjects with a history of such disorders. Nevertheless, these effects have not limited use of the drug which has been used widely for the field treatment of several million people in rural communities. These schemes have led to reductions in incidence, prevalence and the occurrence of hepatosplenic involvement.