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==Introduction==

|linkpage =WikiDrugs

|linktext =WikiDrugs

|subtext1 = Anthelmintic Drugs

|pagetype = Drugs

 

This group of drugs are derived from ''Streptomyces'' species and are coded as '''3-AV''' products. They are commonly known as '''avermectins''' and '''milbemycins'''. Drugs in use include; '''ivermectin, abamectin, doramectin, moxidectin, eprinomectin''' and '''selamectin'''.  

This group of drugs are derived from ''Streptomyces'' species and are coded as '''3-AV''' products. They are commonly known as '''avermectins''' and '''milbemycins'''. Drugs in use include; '''ivermectin, abamectin, doramectin, moxidectin, eprinomectin''' and '''selamectin'''.  

==Activity==

==Activity==

* They are inactive against trematodes, cestodes and adult filarial worms. Though are active against migrating heart worm larvae and are used as heartworm prophylactics in cats and dogs.

* They are inactive against trematodes, cestodes and adult filarial worms. Though are active against migrating heart worm larvae and are used as heartworm prophylactics in cats and dogs.

* Their mode of action is by opening invertebrate specific glutamate-gated chloride channels on the post-synaptic membranes. This results in '''flaccid paralysis''' of the parasite.

* Their mode of action is by opening invertebrate specific glutamate-gated chloride channels on the post-synaptic membranes. This results in '''flaccid paralysis''' of the parasite.

==Pharmacokinetics==

==Pharmacokinetics==

* These drugs are excreted very slowly and so the plasma concentration curve has a very long tail.

* These drugs are excreted very slowly and so the plasma concentration curve has a very long tail.

* The initial peak will kill all adult worms and the residual "tail" is able to have a high enough concentration to ensure that infective larvae ingested, for a time after treatment, are incapable of establishing. This provides a '''period of protection against reinfection'''.

* The initial peak will kill all adult worms and the residual "tail" is able to have a high enough concentration to ensure that infective larvae ingested, for a time after treatment, are incapable of establishing. This provides a '''period of protection against reinfection'''.