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Decaris
Last reviewed: 03.07.2025

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The antihelminthic (anthelmintic) drug Dekaris is classified as a drug used to eliminate intestinal nematodoses.
The active ingredient is levamisole (Levotetramisol, Tetrahydro-phenylimidazothiazole hydrochloride).
Decaris can be dispensed in pharmacies without a prescription.
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Release form
Decaris is produced in tablet form, in two dosage options:
- 0.05 g tablet – round, flattened, light orange in color (sometimes with dark inclusions), with a slight apricot aroma. Has a dividing strip that facilitates dosing of the tablet by 50 and 25%;
- 0.15 g tablet – round, flattened, light-colored, with a dividing line and the inscription Decaris 150 on one of the surfaces.
Each tablet contains the following ingredients:
- active ingredient – levamisole (50 and 150 mg respectively), represented by levamisole hydrochloride;
- additional ingredients are starch, saccharin, povidone, talc, flavoring agent, stearic acid, food coloring. The 150 mg tablet also contains lactose and sucrose, but no coloring agent or flavoring agent.
Pharmacodynamics
The active ingredient of Decaris is a powerful antiparasitic agent. It affects the ganglion-like formations of roundworms, exerting a neuromuscular paralyzing effect and causing disturbances in the bioenergetic reactions in the parasites' organisms.
Thanks to the properties of the substances in Decaris, immobilized nematodes are removed from the digestive system through natural intestinal motility within 24 hours after taking the medicine.
In addition, Decaris has been found to be able to activate the regulatory properties of T-lymphocytes, stabilize cellular immune defense processes, and accelerate interferon synthesis, thereby increasing the body's overall immunity.
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Pharmacokinetics
The active ingredient of Decaris is perfectly absorbed from the digestive system after oral use. The maximum level of the substance in the bloodstream is detected one and a half to two hours after taking the tablet.
Metabolism occurs in the liver with the formation of the main metabolites: glucuronide and hydroxy-levamisole.
Half-life is from 3 to 6 hours. It is excreted unchanged from the body: up to 5% - with urine, up to 0.2% - with feces.
Dosing and administration
For 0.15 g tablets - adult patients use 1 tablet once, preferably after meals, with a few sips of water, in the evening. Additional intake of laxatives or changes in dietary rules is not required. Sometimes it is advisable to repeat the intake of Decaris 1-2 weeks after the first intake.
For tablets 0.05 g:
- children from 3 to 6 years of age take half or a whole tablet of 0.05 g;
- children from 6 to 10 years of age can take one to one and a half tablets of 0.05 g;
- Children aged 10 to 14 years use one and a half to two tablets at a time.
The tablet is taken after dinner, washed down with a few sips of liquid. No additional bowel cleansing measures are required. If the doctor deems it necessary, a repeat dose of the drug may be prescribed after 1-2 weeks.
Use Decaris during pregnancy
Decaris is not intended for use by pregnant or lactating women.
Before using the drug, it is necessary to decide what is more important at the moment: treating the mother or the health of the growing fetus and newborn child.
Contraindications
Decaris is not prescribed:
- if you are prone to allergies to any of the components of the drug;
- with a sharp decrease in the level of granulocytes in the blood (which may be caused by taking medications);
- children under 3 years old;
- women during pregnancy (especially the first trimester) and breastfeeding.
In case of severe damage to the renal system and liver, as well as in case of insufficient hematopoietic function of the bone marrow, Decaris is prescribed only under strict medical supervision of the patient's condition.
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Side effects Decaris
Some side effects may be observed during treatment with the drug Decaris:
- headaches;
- sleep disorders;
- tachycardia;
- convulsive states;
- diarrhea, salivation, epigastric pain, bouts of nausea.
Rarely, but cases of encephalopathy development 3-4 weeks after taking the drug have been recorded. In addition, skin allergic reactions are sometimes recorded.
Most side effects are considered temporary and disappear after the end of the course of treatment. In severe cases, glucocorticosteroids may be prescribed.
Overdose
When using excessive amounts of the drug (more than 0.6 g), nausea, fatigue, convulsions, dyspepsia, and disturbances of consciousness may occur.
If overdose is suspected (if the drug has been taken recently), gastric lavage should be performed. The patient's condition should be assessed and appropriate symptomatic treatment prescribed.
Atropine can be used to inhibit the activity of cholinesterase (an enzyme that transmits excitation in the nervous system).
Interactions with other drugs
The drug should not be taken simultaneously with alcoholic beverages, as this may lead to disulfiram-like reactions.
Decaris should be prescribed with caution while taking medications that affect hematopoietic function.
With the combined use of Decaris and coumarin-like anticoagulants, an increase in the prothrombin index may be observed.
For this reason, dosage adjustment of the anticoagulant is recommended.
Levamisole increases the amount of phenytoin in plasma, so taking the drug should be combined with monitoring its level.
Decaris may increase the toxicity of some lipophilic drugs, so their simultaneous administration should be avoided.
Shelf life
The shelf life of Decaris is up to 5 years, after which it is recommended to throw away any unused tablets.
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Attention!
To simplify the perception of information, this instruction for use of the drug "Decaris" translated and presented in a special form on the basis of the official instructions for medical use of the drug. Before use read the annotation that came directly to medicines.
Description provided for informational purposes and is not a guide to self-healing. The need for this drug, the purpose of the treatment regimen, methods and dose of the drug is determined solely by the attending physician. Self-medication is dangerous for your health.