Strongyloidiasis
In four clinical studies involving a total of 109 patients
given either one or two doses of 170 to 200 mcg/kg of STROMECTOL, the following
adverse reactions were reported as possibly, probably, or definitely related to
STROMECTOL:
Body as a Whole: asthenia/fatigue (0.9%), abdominal
pain (0.9%)
Gastrointestinal: anorexia (0.9%), constipation
(0.9%), diarrhea (1.8%), nausea (1.8%), vomiting (0.9%)
Nervous System/Psychiatric: dizziness (2.8%),
somnolence (0.9%), vertigo (0.9%), tremor (0.9%)
Skin: pruritus (2.8%), rash (0.9%), and urticaria
(0.9%).
In comparative trials, patients treated with STROMECTOL
experienced more abdominal distention and chest discomfort than patients
treated with albendazole. However, STROMECTOL was better tolerated than thiabendazole
in comparative studies involving 37 patients treated with thiabendazole.
The Mazzotti-type and ophthalmologic reactions associated with the treatment
of onchocerciasis or the disease itself would not be expected to occur in strongyloidiasis
patients treated with STROMECTOL. (See ADVERSE REACTIONS, Onchocerciasis.)
Laboratory Test Findings
In clinical trials involving 109 patients given either one
or two doses of 170 to 200 mcg/kg STROMECTOL, the following laboratory
abnormalities were seen regardless of drug relationship: elevation in ALT
and/or AST (2%), decrease in leukocyte count (3%). Leukopenia and anemia were
seen in one patient.
Onchocerciasis
In clinical trials involving 963 adult patients treated with
100 to 200 mcg/kg STROMECTOL, worsening of the following Mazzotti reactions
during the first 4 days post-treatment were reported: arthralgia/synovitis
(9.3%), axillary lymph node enlargement and tenderness (11.0% and 4.4%,
respectively), cervical lymph node enlargement and tenderness (5.3% and 1.2%,
respectively), inguinal lymph node enlargement and tenderness (12.6% and 13.9%,
respectively), other lymph node enlargement and tenderness (3.0% and 1.9%,
respectively), pruritus (27.5%), skin involvement including edema, papular and
pustular or frank urticarial rash (22.7%), and fever (22.6%). (See WARNINGS.)
In clinical trials, ophthalmological conditions were
examined in 963 adult patients before treatment, at day 3, and months 3 and 6
after treatment with 100 to 200 mcg/kg STROMECTOL. Changes observed were
primarily deterioration from baseline 3 days post-treatment. Most changes
either returned to baseline condition or improved over baseline severity at the
month 3 and 6 visits. The percentages of patients with worsening of the following
conditions at day 3, month 3 and 6, respectively, were: limbitis: 5.5%, 4.8%,
and 3.5% and punctuate opacity: 1.8%, 1.8%, and 1.4%. The corresponding
percentages for patients treated with placebo were: limbitis: 6.2%, 9.9%, and
9.4% and punctate opacity: 2.0%, 6.4%, and 7.2%. (See WARNINGS.)
In clinical trials involving 963 adult patients who received
100 to 200 mcg/kg STROMECTOL, the following clinical adverse reactions were
reported as possibly, probably, or definitely related to the drug in ≥ 1%
of the patients: facial edema (1.2%), peripheral edema (3.2%), orthostatic
hypotension (1.1%), and tachycardia (3.5%). Drug-related headache and myalgia
occurred in < 1% of patients (0.2% and 0.4%, respectively). However, these
were the most common adverse experiences reported overall during these trials
regardless of causality (22.3% and 19.7%, respectively).
A similar safety profile was observed in an open study in
pediatric patients ages 6 to 13.
The following ophthalmological side effects do occur due to
the disease itself but have also been reported after treatment with STROMECTOL:
abnormal sensation in the eyes, eyelid edema, anterior uveitis, conjunctivitis,
limbitis, keratitis, and chorioretinitis or choroiditis. These have rarely been
severe or associated with loss of vision and have generally resolved without
corticosteroid treatment.
Laboratory Test Findings
In controlled clinical trials, the following laboratory
adverse experiences were reported as possibly, probably, or definitely related
to the drug in ≥ 1% of the patients: eosinophilia (3%) and hemoglobin
increase (1%).
Post-Marketing Experience
The following adverse reactions have been reported since the
drug was registered overseas:
Onchocerciasis
Conjunctival hemorrhage
All Indications
Hypotension (mainly orthostatic hypotension), worsening of
bronchial asthma, toxic epidermal necrolysis, Stevens-Johnson syndrome,
seizures, hepatitis, elevation of liver enzymes, and elevation of bilirubin.