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Levamisole, marketed under the trade name Ergamisol, is a medication used to treat parasitic worm infections and as a immunomodulator. More recently, levamisole has been studied in combination with other forms of chemotherapy for the treatment of colon cancer, melanoma, and head and neck cancer. Levamisole remains in veterinary use as a dewormer for livestock. Levamisole was withdrawn from the U.S. and Canadian markets in 1999 and 2003, respectively, due to the risk of serious side effects and the availability of more effective replacement medications.〔(【引用サイトリンク】title=Products Discontinued from the Market Since Publication of the 2000 CPS )〕 The most serious side effect of levamisole is agranulocytosis, a severe depletion of white blood cells that leaves person vulnerable to infection. It belongs to the class of synthetic imidazothiazole derivatives. It was discovered in 1966 at Belgium's Janssen Pharmaceutica, where it was prepared initially in the form of its racemate called tetramisole. The two stereoisomers of tetramisole were subsequently synthesized, and the levorotatory isomer was given the name levamisole.〔A. H. M. Raeymakers, L. F. C. Roevens and P. A. J. Janssen (1967) ''Tet. Lett.'' 16 1467-1470.〕 It is on the World Health Organization's List of Essential Medicines, a list of the most important medication needed in a basic health system. The medication been used as an adulterant in cocaine sold in the United States and Canada, resulting in serious side effects. ==Medical uses== Levamisole was originally used as an anthelmintic to treat worm infestations in both humans and animals. Levamisole works as a nicotinic acetylcholine receptor agonist that causes continued stimulation of the parasitic worm muscles, leading to paralysis. In countries that still permit the use of levamisole, the recommended dose for anthelmintic therapy is a single dose, with a repeated dose 7 days later if needed for a severe hookworm infection.〔(【引用サイトリンク】url=http://online.lexi.com.proxy1.lib.tju.edu/lco/action/doc/retrieve/docid/martindale_f/1351191 )〕 Most current commercial preparations are intended for veterinary use as a dewormer in cattle, pigs, and sheep. However, levamisole has also recently gained prominence among aquarists as an effective treatment for ''Camallanus'' roundworm infestations in freshwater tropical fish. After being pulled from the market in the U.S. and Canada in 1999 and 2003, respectively, levamisole has been tested in combination with fluorouracil to treat colon cancer. Evidence from clinical trials support its addition to fluorouracil therapy to benefit patients with colon cancer. In some of the leukemic cell line studies, both levamisole and tetramisole showed similar effect.〔(Chirigos et al. (1969, 1973, 1975)).〕 Levamisole has been used to treat a variety of dermatologic conditions, including skin infections, leprosy, warts, lichen planus, and aphthous ulcers. An interesting adverse side effect these reviewers reported in passing was "neurologic excitement". Later papers, from the Janssen group and others, indicate levamisole and its enantiomer, dexamisole, have some mood-elevating or antidepressant properties, although this was never a marketed use of the drug. 抄文引用元・出典: フリー百科事典『 ウィキペディア（Wikipedia）』 ■ウィキペディアで「Levamisole」の詳細全文を読む スポンサード リンク
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