Levamisol

Levamisole

Levamisole hydrochloride / Levamisole phosphate

Antiparasitario (Antinematodo) / InmunoestimulantePOSCIMTopicalPerrosGatosPequeños mamíferosAvesReptilesCaballosGanadoCerdosOvejasCabras

También conocido como: Levasole · Amtech · Ascaridil · Decaris · Ergamisol · Immunol · Ketrax · Meglum · Prohibit · Solaskil · Vermisol · Vizole · cloridrato de levamizol · ICI-59623 · levamisoli hydrochloridum · NSC-177023 · R-12564 · RP-20605 · l-tetramisole hydrochloride

Revisado por el equipo veterinario de VetSheetActualizado 5 abr 2026Referencia veterinaria basada en la evidencia

2.2 mg/kg PO every other day, with appropriate antimicrobial therapyPO· q48h

Peso corporal— 🐕

Las dosis son una referencia clínica para profesionales veterinarios autorizados. Confirme siempre con el prospecto actual y cada paciente individual.

Dosis por especie

🌎 NA — North America🌍 EU — Europe

Perros

Indicación	Dosis	Vía	Frecuencia	Duración	Región
For recurrent cutaneous infections (immune stimulant)	2.2 mg/kg PO every other day, with appropriate antimicrobial therapy	PO	q48h	—	🌎 NA
As an immune stimulant	0.5-2 mg/kg PO 3 times a week	PO	3 times a week	—	🌎 NA
For adjunctive therapy in dogs with chronic pyoderma	0.5-1.5 mg/kg PO 2-3 times a week	PO	2-3 times a week	—	🌎 NA
For adjunctive therapy in dogs with chronic pyoderma	2.2 mg/kg PO every other day	PO	q48h	—	🌎 NA
As an alternative treatment for SLE	3-7 mg/kg PO every other day for 4 months; alone or in combination with corticosteroids	PO	q48h	4 months	🌎 NA
As a microfilaricide	11 mg/kg PO for 6-12 days. Examine for microfilaria within 7-10 days and at weekly intervals until eliminated or treatment is halted.	PO	q24h	6-12 days	🌎 NA
For treatment of Angiostrongylus vasorum	7.5 mg/kg (route not specified) for two consecutive days, followed by 10 mg/kg for 2 days; if the infection is not cleared, the regimen is repeated.	Not specified	q24h	4 days	🌎 NA
For Crenosoma vulpis (lungworms)	8 mg/kg once	PO	Once	1 dose	🌎 NA
For Capillaria (lungworms)	7-12 mg/kg once daily PO for 3-7 days	PO	q24h	3-7 days	🌎 NA
For Filaroides osleri (lungworms)	7-12 mg/kg once daily PO for 20-45 days	PO	q24h	20-45 days	🌎 NA
For Filaroides osleri (lungworms)	7.5 mg/kg PO twice daily or 25 mg/kg PO every other day for 10 days	PO	q12h or q48h	10 days	🌎 NA
For Capillaria aerophilia (lungworms)	10 mg/kg PO once daily for 5 days; repeat in 9 days	PO	q24h	5 days	🌎 NA

For adjunctive therapy in dogs with chronic pyoderma: Efficacy not established
For adjunctive therapy in dogs with chronic pyoderma: May only be efficacious in 10% of cases
As a microfilaricide: Rarely recommended today. Retching and vomiting are common. Avoid giving on an empty stomach or immediately after drinking water. A 'conditioning' dose of 5 mg/kg PO once a day may be necessary. Stop therapy if abnormal behavior or ataxia develops.

Gatos

Indicación	Dosis	Vía	Frecuencia	Duración	Región
For the treatment of lungworms	20-40 mg/kg PO every other day for 5-6 treatments	PO	q48h	5-6 treatments	🌎 NA
For Aelurostrongylus abstrusus (lungworms)	100 mg PO daily every other day for 5 treatments; give atropine (0.5 mg SC, 15 minutes before administering); or 15 mg/kg PO every other day for 3 treatments, then 3 days later: 30 mg/kg PO, then 2 days later: 60 mg/kg.	PO	Varies	Varies	🌎 NA
For Capillaria aerophilia (lungworms)	4.4 mg/kg SC for 2 days, then 8.8 mg/kg once 2 weeks later; or 5 mg/kg PO once daily for 5 days, followed by 9 days of no therapy, repeat two times	SC/PO	Varies	Varies	🌎 NA
For the treatment of lungworms	25 mg/kg every other day for 10-14 days	PO	q48h	10-14 days	🌎 NA
For Capillaria aerophilia (lungworms)	10 mg/kg PO once daily for 5 days; repeat in 9 days	PO	q24h	5 days	🌎 NA
For treatment of Ollulanus tricuspis	5 mg/kg SC	SC	Once	1 dose	🌎 NA
As a microfilaricide	10 mg/kg PO for 7 days	PO	q24h	7 days	🌎 NA
For adjunctive therapy of feline plasma-cell gingivitis/pharyngitis (immune-stimulant)	25 mg PO every other day for 3 doses	PO	q48h	3 doses	🌎 NA

Pequeños mamíferos

Indicación	Dosis	Vía	Frecuencia	Duración	Región
For nematodes in Rabbits	12.5-20 mg/kg PO (for gastric nematodes) or SC (for extragastric nematodes)	PO/SC	Once	—	🌎 NA

Aves

Indicación	Dosis	Vía	Frecuencia	Duración	Región
For intestinal nematodes	5-15 mL/gallon of drinking water for 1-3 days; repeat in 10 days. If birds refuse to drink, withhold water prior to treating.	PO	Daily	1-3 days	🌎 NA
For gavage in Australian Parakeets (or desert species that refuse to drink water)	15 mg/kg; repeat in 10 days	PO	Once	—	🌎 NA
For parenteral use	4-8 mg/kg IM or SC; repeat in 10-14 days.	IM/SC	Once	—	🌎 NA
For immunostimulation	0.3 mL/gallon of water for several weeks	PO	Continuous	Several weeks	🌎 NA
As a parenteral immunostimulant	2 mg/kg IM or SC. 3 doses at 14 day intervals	IM/SC	q14d	3 doses	🌎 NA
As a nebulized immunostimulant	1 mL (of 13.65% levamisole phosphate) in 15 mL saline	Inhalation	—	—	🌎 NA
For Capillaria infections	15-30 mg/kg orally as a single bolus or through a crop tube; or 2.25 mg/gallon of drinking water for 4-5 days. Repeat treatment in 10-14 days.	PO	Varies	1 or 4-5 days	🌎 NA
Poultry nematodes	18-36 mg/kg, PO	PO	Once	—	🌎 NA
For Libyastrongylus douglassi in Ratites	Give 30 mg/kg PO or IM at one month of age, then once a month for 7 treatments, then 4 times yearly	PO/IM	Monthly then quarterly	Ongoing	🌎 NA

For intestinal nematodes: Using 13.65% injectable
For gavage in Australian Parakeets (or desert species that refuse to drink water): Using 13.65% injectable
For parenteral use: Using 13.65% injectable. May cause vomiting, ataxia, or death. Do not use in debilitated birds.
For immunostimulation: Using 13.65% injectable
As a parenteral immunostimulant: Using 13.65% injectable

Reptiles

Indicación	Dosis	Vía	Frecuencia	Duración	Región
As an anthelmintic (Nematodes, Acanthocephalans, or Pentastomes)	Nematodes: 5-10 mg/kg PO; repeat in two weeks followed by a fecal exam 14 days after the second dose. If positive, a third dose is given. Acanthocephalans, or Pentastomes: as above, but may also be given SC or ICe.	PO/SC/ICe	q14d	2-3 doses	🌎 NA

Caballos

Indicación	Dosis	Vía	Frecuencia	Duración	Región
As an immunostimulant	Dosages have ranged from 2.5 mg/kg injected at 7 day intervals, and 2.2 mg/kg PO every 24 hours for 3 days, then off for 4 days for a period of 4-6 weeks.	Injection/PO	Varies	4-6 weeks	🌎 NA
As adjunctive therapy for EPM	1-2 mg/kg per day PO	PO	q24h	—	🌎 NA

As an immunostimulant: Anecdotal reports of beneficial effects in the treatment of nasal viral papillomas, COPD, and EPM have been suggested.

Ganado

Indicación	Dosis	Vía	Frecuencia	Duración	Región
For removal of mature and immature Dictyocaulus vivapurus	5.5-11 mg/kg PO, either given in feed or as a drench or oral bolus. May also be administered SC at 3.3-8 mg/kg.	PO/SC	Once	—	🌎 NA
For treatment of susceptible nematodes	7.5 mg/kg PO	PO	Once	—	🌎 NA

Cerdos

Indicación	Dosis	Vía	Frecuencia	Duración	Región
For removal of mature and immature Metastrongylus	8 mg/kg PO in feed or water	PO	Once	—	🌎 NA

Ovejas

Indicación	Dosis	Vía	Frecuencia	Duración	Región
For removal of mature and immature Dictyocaulus vivapurus	8 mg/kg PO	PO	Once	—	🌎 NA
For treatment of susceptible nematodes	7.5 mg/kg PO	PO	Once	—	🌎 NA

Cabras

Indicación	Dosis	Vía	Frecuencia	Duración	Región
For removal of mature and immature Dictyocaulus vivapurus	8 mg/kg PO	PO	Once	—	🌎 NA
For treatment of susceptible nematodes	7.5 mg/kg PO	PO	Once	—	🌎 NA

Las dosis son una referencia clínica para profesionales veterinarios autorizados. Confirme siempre con el prospecto actual y cada paciente individual.

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Resumen

El levamisol es un derivado de la imidazotiazol utilizado principalmente como antiparasitario antinematodo en animales de gran tamaño y, históricamente, como microfilaricida e inmunoestimulante en animales pequeños.

Perlas clínicas:

Uso decreciente en animales pequeños: Debido a su estrecho índice terapéutico y a la aparición de antihelmínticos más seguros y eficaces (p. ej., lactonas macrocíclicas, bencimidazoles), el levamisol rara vez se utiliza en la práctica moderna de perros y gatos.
Utilidad en animales de gran tamaño: Sigue siendo un antihelmíntico de amplio espectro valioso en ganado bovino, ovino y porcino, particularmente eficaz contra nematodos gastrointestinales y pulmonares, aunque la resistencia de los parásitos es una preocupación mundial creciente.
Inmunomodulación: Su capacidad única para estimular la inmunidad mediada por células ha llevado a su uso fuera de indicación (off-label) como terapia adyuvante para infecciones crónicas, enfermedades inmunomediadas y ciertas neoplasias, particularmente en pacientes inmunocomprometidos.

Mecanismo de acción

Antiparasitic Action: Levamisole acts as a cholinergic agonist at nicotinic acetylcholine receptors on the nematode muscle.

Receptor activation → continuous depolarization → spastic paralysis of the worm.
The paralyzed nematodes are subsequently expelled alive from the host's gastrointestinal or respiratory tract.
At higher concentrations, it interferes with nematode carbohydrate metabolism by blocking fumarate reduction and succinate oxidation.

Immunostimulant Action: The exact mechanism is not fully elucidated. It is believed to:

Restore cell-mediated immune function in peripheral T-lymphocytes.
Stimulate phagocytosis and chemotaxis by monocytes and macrophages.
Effects are generally more pronounced in immunocompromised animals rather than healthy ones.

Seguridad y advertencias

Contraindicaciones

Lactating dairy animals (not approved)
Severely debilitated animals
Patients with significant renal or hepatic impairment
Cats with FIV or FIP (and likely ineffective in FeLV)
Use as a dirofilarial adulticide
Intravenous (IV) administration (never recommended)
Intramuscular (IM) administration in birds (avoid if possible)

Efectos adversos

Cattle: Muzzle foaming, hypersalivation, excitement, trembling, lip-licking, head shaking, injection site swelling
Sheep/Goats: Transient excitability, depression, hyperesthesia, salivation, stinging upon SC injection
Swine: Salivation, muzzle foaming, coughing/vomiting (especially if infected with lungworms)
Dogs: GI disturbances (vomiting, diarrhea), neurotoxicity (panting, shaking, agitation), immune-mediated anemia, agranulocytosis, dyspnea, pulmonary edema, immune-mediated skin eruptions (erythema multiforme, toxic epidermal necrolysis), lethargy
Cats: Hypersalivation, excitement, mydriasis, vomiting

Precauciones

Narrow Margin of Safety: Levamisole has a narrow therapeutic index, especially in small animals and birds. Accurate dosing is critical.

Stress: Use cautiously or delay use in cattle that are stressed due to vaccination, dehorning, or castration.
Pregnancy: FDA Category C / Papich Class C. Has been implicated in causing abortion in goats. Use only if potential benefits outweigh risks.
Nursing: Excreted in cows' milk; use with caution in nursing dams.

Interacciones farmacológicas

Aspirin

Levamisole may increase salicylate levels

Chloramphenicol

Fatalities have been reported after concomitant administration; avoid using these agents together

Cholinesterase-inhibiting drugs (e.g., organophosphates, neostigmine)

Could theoretically enhance the toxic effects of levamisole; use together with caution

Nicotine-like compounds (e.g., pyrantel, morantel, diethylcarbamazine)

Could theoretically enhance the toxic effects of levamisole; use together with caution

Warfarin

Increased risk for bleeding

Monitorización

Clinical efficacy (fecal exams, resolution of clinical signs)
Adverse effects/toxicity observation

Farmacocinética

Vida media

Perros1.8-4 hours

Absorción

Absorbed from the gut after oral dosing and through the skin after dermal application, although bioavailabilities are variable.

Distribución

Reportedly distributed throughout the body.

Metabolismo

Primarily metabolized in the liver.

Eliminación

Metabolites are excreted primarily in the urine (with less than 6% excreted unchanged) and in feces.

Sobredosis

Signs of levamisole toxicity often mimic those of organophosphate toxicity due to its cholinergic effects.

Clinical Signs: Hypersalivation, hyperesthesias, irritability, clonic seizures, CNS depression, dyspnea, defecation, urination, and collapse. Acute overdosage can result in death due to respiratory failure. Cardiac arrhythmias may also be seen.
Avian Toxicity: In pet birds, 40 mg/kg SC is reported as a toxic dose. IM injections may cause more severe toxicity. Signs include depression, ataxia, leg/wing paralysis, mydriasis, regurgitation, and death.
Treatment: Primarily supportive, as animals generally recover within hours of dosing. If respiratory failure occurs, institute artificial ventilation with oxygen until recovery. For recent oral ingestion, emptying the gut and/or administering activated charcoal with cathartics may be indicated.
Warning: Intravenous (IV) administration is particularly hazardous and is never recommended.

Productos disponibles

Formulaciones

Injection (13.65% levamisole phosphate)
Water Medication/Soluble Powder (18.15g, 46.8g)
Oral Tablets/Boluses (184 mg, 2.19 g)

Veterinario

Levamisole Phosphate Injection: 136.5 mg/mL (13.65%)
Levamisole Hydrochloride Water Medication: 18.15 grams
Levamisole Hydrochloride Soluble Drench Powder: 46.8 grams/packet
Levamisole HCl Oral Tablets/Boluses: 184 mg, 2.19 gram

Estado regulador

Sin datos reguladores para: 🇺🇸 US · 🇪🇺 EU · 🇬🇧 UK · 🇭🇰 HK · 🇹🇼 TW · 🇯🇵 JP · 🇰🇷 KR · 🇦🇺 AU

Almacenamiento y estabilidad

Levamisole hydrochloride products should be stored at room temperature (15-30°C); avoid temperatures greater than 40°C. Levamisole phosphate injection should be stored at or below 21°C (70°F); refrigeration is recommended and freezing should be avoided. Compounded oral solution (25 mg/mL) retains >97% potency for 90 days when stored at 4°C and 25°C and protected from light.

Información para el cliente

Dosificación estricta: Administre este medicamento exactamente como lo recetó su veterinario. El levamisol tiene un margen de seguridad estrecho, lo que significa que la diferencia entre una dosis eficaz y una dosis tóxica es pequeña.
Efectos adversos: Observe a su mascota de cerca para detectar signos de toxicidad como salivación excesiva, temblores, jadeo, vómitos, diarrea o comportamiento inusual. Comuníquese con su veterinario de inmediato si ocurren estos síntomas.
Administración: No lo administre con el estómago vacío ni inmediatamente después de que su mascota beba agua si se usa por vía oral para ciertas afecciones (siga las instrucciones específicas del veterinario).
Animales de consumo: El levamisol no está aprobado por la FDA para su uso en animales lecheros en edad reproductiva. Adhiérase estrictamente a los tiempos de retiro antes del sacrificio (p. ej., 48 horas para bovinos, 72 horas para ovinos/porcinos).
Retratamiento: Los animales en entornos con alta carga parasitaria pueden necesitar un retratamiento 2-4 semanas después de la dosis inicial.

La referencia de medicamentos de VetSheet está destinada a profesionales veterinarios autorizados como ayuda para la toma de decisiones clínicas, no como sustituto del criterio profesional ni del prospecto actual del fabricante.