vermifugal

anthelmintic

 [ant″hel-min´tik]

1. destructive to parasitic worms; called also antihelmintic and vermifugal.

2. an agent destructive to worms; examples include piperazine and hexylresorcinol for the roundworm Ascaris lumbricoides;quinacrine for tapeworms; oxytetracycline and emetine for protozoan infections such as amebic dysentery; and mebendazole for several different intestinal worms. Many anthelmintic drugs are toxic and should be given with care; the toxic effects of a specific drug should be known prior to administration and the patient observed carefully for such effects after the drug is given. Called also vermicide, and vermifuge

Miller-Keane Encyclopedia and Dictionary of Medicine, Nursing, and Allied Health, Seventh Edition. © 2003 by Saunders, an imprint of Elsevier, Inc. All rights reserved.

ant·hel·min·tic

(ant'hel-min'tik, an-thel-),

1. An agent that destroys or expels intestinal worms. Synonym(s): anthelminthic, antihelminthic, helminthagogue, helminthic (2) , helmintic (2) , vermifuge

2. Having the power to destroy or expel intestinal worms. Synonym(s): vermifugal

[anti- + G. helmins, worm]

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