Version July 2025
For use with UpToDate content on L. loa infection.
Doses are for oral administration in patients with normal kidney and liver function. Dose reduction of DEC may be warranted in patients with reduced kidney function. In children <6 years old, a dose reduction of albendazole may be needed; specific recommendations are not available.
DEC: diethylcarbamazine; L. loa: Loa loa.
* DEC is the only agent that kills both worms and microfilariae, so it is necessary to eradicate infection. However, DEC reduces microfilaremia rapidly which can be fatal in patients with high microfilarial loads; therefore DEC is given only once microfilaremia is reduced <2500/mL.
