Delcar

Quick links to important sections

Delcar

Treatment option:

Medically reviewed

Marina Burgos

Last updated on 22/12/2025

This page provides general, reference-level information compiled from official medical sources. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. For decisions about your health, please consult a qualified healthcare professional.

Overview of Delcar

Quick Facts

Property Description
Active Ingredients Chlorpheniramine, Diethylcarbamazine, Diethylcarbamazine Citrate
Form Oral dosage form (typically Tablet)
Pharmacological Class Anthelmintic and Antihistamine
Origin Synthetic drug

Definition: What Kind of Medicine is Delcar?

Delcar is a synthetic drug formulated as a fixed-dose combination (FDC) preparation designed for oral administration. This medicine is a compound preparation that is primarily classified as an Anthelmintic, due to its action against parasitic worms, and secondarily as a First-Generation Antihistamine (H1-receptor antagonist). The typical oral dosage form of Delcar is a tablet, intended for systemic administration throughout the body. The dual classification reflects a strategy to manage both the root cause and the immediate immune response within a single medication. This FDC approach is clinically recognized for its utility in managing conditions where rapid parasite elimination is needed alongside immediate symptom control.

Composition and General Purpose: Why Delcar is a Combination Therapy

The formulation of Delcar is based on the strategic combination of two distinct active ingredients: Diethylcarbamazine Citrate and Chlorpheniramine. Diethylcarbamazine Citrate serves as the principal anti-filarial agent, a specific type of anthelmintic that targets parasitic worms. This agent is complemented by Chlorpheniramine, which is an antihistamine used to block the effects of histamine. The overall, high-level purpose of this FDC is to provide a comprehensive approach, combining the elimination of the parasite with the simultaneous relief of the associated immunological and inflammatory discomfort. The strategic differentiation of Delcar lies in offering this dual action immediately within one oral dosage form, supporting simplified treatment protocols in relevant contexts.

Regulatory References

  1. MedlinePlus, Chlorpheniramine

What side effects are possible with Delcar?

Possible Side Effects and Safety Information

The safety profile of Delcar, a combination of an anthelmintic and an antihistamine, is categorized by two distinct sets of adverse reactions documented in official regulatory sources: systemic responses to parasite clearance and effects related to the central nervous system (CNS).


Key Adverse Reaction Categories

Category Common Examples Regulatory Note
Systemic/Hypersensitivity Fever, headache, pruritus (itching), rash Often more pronounced at the start of treatment and related to microfilarial death.
CNS/Gastrointestinal Drowsiness, dizziness, nausea, vomiting Commonly associated with the antihistamine component.

Serious Adverse Reactions and Safety Constraints

Serious Adverse Reactions explicitly listed in official labeling include the Mazzotti reaction, a potentially severe systemic hypersensitivity event, and reports of seizures or fatal encephalopathy in specific high microfilarial load cases. Long-term use in certain infections has been associated with ocular damage.

Population-Specific Safety: Caution is advised for older adults due to increased risk of CNS and anticholinergic effects like confusion and urinary retention. For patients with renal impairment, drug clearance is prolonged, requiring careful consideration as noted in regulatory guidelines. The medicine is contraindicated in individuals with known hypersensitivity to the active ingredients or specific conditions like narrow-angle glaucoma.

This documented structure organizes the risks into time-dependent reactions (initial phase) and common system-specific effects (CNS/GI), providing a comprehensive, label-based overview of the drug's safety characteristics.

Overdose and Emergency Response

Delcar Overdose and When to Seek Help

Delcar, which contains Diethylcarbamazine and often Chlorpheniramine, must be taken strictly as prescribed. An overdose, which is taking more than the prescribed amount, can be serious and requires immediate medical attention.

Overdose symptoms can vary depending on the amount taken and the individual's response, but may be related to the effects of its active ingredients. Diethylcarbamazine overdose may cause side effects such as headache, nausea, vomiting, dizziness, joint pain, and an increase in symptoms related to the parasitic infection being treated. Chlorpheniramine, an antihistamine component in some formulations, can lead to symptoms like severe drowsiness, confusion, loss of coordination, rapid heart rate, or, in severe cases, seizures or loss of consciousness.

When to Seek Help

Always contact emergency medical services or a poison control center immediately if you suspect an overdose of Delcar. Do not wait for symptoms to worsen. Provide medical personnel with the name of the medication, the amount taken, and the time it was ingested, if known. Treatment for an overdose is supportive and focuses on managing the symptoms and vital signs of the individual.

Symptom Severity Action Required
Mild (e.g., increased nausea, mild dizziness) Contact a poison control center or your doctor immediately for advice.
Severe (e.g., severe drowsiness, seizures, confusion, trouble breathing) Call emergency services immediately.

Therapeutic Uses of Delcar

What Delcar Treats: Main Uses and Benefits

Delcar is commonly used to address two main symptomatic domains: conditions linked to certain parasites and the related symptoms that interfere with daily functioning. The goal is to address the underlying condition and provide supportive relief from associated distress.


Targeted Management of Conditions Linked to Specific Parasites

This medication is commonly used to manage specific conditions involving parasites. Is applied in clinical settings where the goal is to address the parasites associated with the condition. It is relevant in conditions characterized by periods of heightened symptoms, which can include conditions that affect the lymph system, eyes, or lungs. The medication helps manage groups of symptoms like swelling in the limbs, breathing difficulties, or joint pain that arise from the condition's manifestations. This generally provides support that helps ease the overall symptom burden and may assist in managing the temporary physiological strain.

Supportive Relief of Associated Symptoms

Delcar also helps manage a cluster of allergic and hypersensitivity symptoms that can accompany these conditions or other related states. This is relevant for managing symptoms such as persistent itching, skin rashes, runny nose, and irritation of the eyes. The benefit of this symptomatic relief contributes to improved comfort during periods of heightened symptoms, providing supportive relief when symptoms interfere with routine activities.

Quick Fact: Symptom Management

Eligibility and Restrictions for Use

Population Eligibility for Delcar

Delcar is officially designated for use in adults and children aged two years and older, as established in regulatory documents. However, official government labeling defines several strict criteria for non-eligibility and conditional use based on the properties of its components, Diethylcarbamazine Citrate and Chlorpheniramine.

Absolute Contraindications

The medicine is contraindicated in patients with a proven hypersensitivity to any component. Use is strictly prohibited in individuals currently or recently (within 14 days) taking Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors (MAOIs). Due to the anthelmintic component, it is also contraindicated in co-infection with Onchocerciasis (River Blindness) or in patients with a high microfilariae load of Loa loa.

Contraindications based on the antihistamine component include narrow-angle glaucoma, urinary retention, and severe coronary artery disease.

Restricted and Excluded Groups

Treatment is typically excluded or not recommended for pregnant women, lactating mothers, and children under two years of age. Caution is required when prescribing Delcar to patients with severe renal impairment, severe hepatic impairment, or a history of convulsions.

What should I know about interactions with other medicines?

Interactions with other medicines and products

This section describes officially documented interaction patterns based on government regulatory labeling for Delcar (Chlorpheniramine and Diethylcarbamazine Citrate).


Documented Interaction Patterns

Interaction Type Entities and Documented Outcomes
Contraindicated Combinations Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors (MAOIs): Concurrent use is strictly prohibited due to potential enhancement of antimuscarinic and sedative effects.
Pharmacokinetic Effects Phenytoin: Chlorpheniramine may inhibit its metabolism, increasing the risk of phenytoin toxicity (elevated plasma levels).
Exposure Modification Urinary Alkalinizing Agents / Alkaline Urine: Alkalinization can elevate Diethylcarbamazine plasma levels, prolonging its half-life and increasing systemic exposure.
Pharmacodynamic Reinforcement CNS Depressants (e.g., Hypnotics, Opioid Analgesics) and Alcohol (Ethanol): Co-administration may enhance sedative effects.

Interaction-Related Restrictions

The medicine is contraindicated in patients with co-infection of Onchocerciasis (River Blindness). This restriction is due to the high risk of a severe host-parasite reaction, which is an extreme, disease-state-dependent interaction. The co-administration of Albendazole is documented to result in no significant alteration of either drug’s concentration. This profile defines the mandatory high-level boundaries and constraints for co-administration.

Mechanism of Action

️ Targeted Parasite Paralysis via Ion Channel Activation

DEC acts via the activation of specific Transient Receptor Potential (TRP) channels in microfilarial muscle cells. This molecular action causes immediate ion influx, inducing spastic paralysis and chemically altering the parasite's surface. This process renders the microfilariae susceptible to sequestration by host innate immune cells, supporting their removal from the circulation.


️ Complementary Blockade of Histamine H1 Receptors

Chlorpheniramine contributes a complementary mechanism by acting as a competitive antagonist at the host's Histamine H1 receptors both peripherally and centrally. By blocking endogenous histamine from binding to these receptors, the drug modulates the acute inflammatory cascade triggered by the massive release of mediators during parasite clearance. Physiologically, this action helps limit the increase in vascular permeability and the stimulation of sensory nerves, thereby reducing localized physiological reactions.


️ Synergistic Modulation of Host Inflammatory Mediators

The drug is associated with multi-pathway mediator modulation, representing the synergy between its components. While Chlorpheniramine blocks the effects of histamine, DEC simultaneously interferes with the host's arachidonic acid pathway (e.g., leukotrienes and prostaglandins), ensuring a broader regulation of the inflammatory lipid mediators. This combined action contributes to the modulation of acute immunological signaling resulting from the primary drug action.

Dosage and Administration Information

How to Use Delcar

Delcar is an oral fixed-dose combination (FDC) therapy whose usage is governed by administration protocols for its anthelmintic and antihistamine components. The primary administration method is the oral route as a tablet, taken systemically throughout the body.


Official Administration Guidelines

Parameter Instruction Details
Route of Administration Oral only.
Timing with Meals Must be taken with or immediately after food to aid tolerability and absorption.
Dosing Schedule For individual treatment, the daily dose is typically weight-based ( mg/ kg) and administered in divided doses three times a day. Treatment often begins with a short dose escalation (titration) over the first few days.
Treatment Duration The regimen is prescribed as a defined short-term course, usually lasting 12 to 14 consecutive days. Alternatively, it is used as a single annual dose in long-term public health programs.
Missed Dose If a dose is missed, it should generally be skipped if it is close to the time of the next scheduled dose; doubling the dose is not advised.

Population-Specific Use

Official instructions mandate that the dosage may require modification for certain patient populations. Pediatric dosing is strictly calculated based on body weight. Older adults and individuals with known renal or hepatic impairment may require dose reduction or special caution due to potential changes in drug clearance. These requirements define the standardized approach to using the medicine as documented by regulatory authorities.

Recent Clinical Evidence

Research evidence / Overview of Studies for Delcar

Evidence for Conditions Caused by Filarial Nematodes

Research exploring the anti-filarial component of Delcar was conducted primarily in endemic regions globally. Studies examining this component include systematic reviews of community-based trials and individual randomized clinical trials (RCTs). These studies were used in research exploring how symptoms change over time and within populations with documented parasite presence. Researchers monitored key outcomes related to systemic or functional imbalance, such as the measurement of microfilariae reduction and clearance in the bloodstream, and changes in the overall disease prevalence across communities.

Studies monitored responses over both short-term intervals and, in community settings, over multi-year periods of annual administration. Findings describe patterns observed in the studies, including measurements of documented changes in parasite density. Research has explored the anti-filarial agent in various combinations, including with other anti-parasitic drugs.

Evidence for Supportive Symptom Management

The second component of Delcar, an antihistamine, was studied for its relevance in trials assessing short-term or episodic symptom patterns. The evidence base includes randomized, placebo-controlled trials. Researchers explored changes in patient-reported outcomes describing perceived discomfort, such as sneezing, nasal discharge, and itching, which are outcomes linked to inflammatory or irritative states. Studies report how symptoms evolved in the observed populations over defined, short time intervals.

Study sample sizes were sometimes limited and follow-up durations were short, focusing on acute symptom patterns. Evidence derived from settings with varying symptom burdens provides limited information specifically on how studies evaluate symptoms associated with the parasitic condition.

Research Gaps and Uncertainties

The research exploring the combined use of the two agents in a single, fixed-dose combination (FDC) has been limited. Comparative evidence is lacking to assess how the Delcar FDC compares to other existing drug combinations used in various programs, and there is limited information specifically on the clinical rationale for the FDC versus the individual components. Findings were mixed across studies regarding the full long-term impact on the adult parasite load, and this remains an area where further research is needed.

Key Studies & References

  1. Guideline: Alternative Mass Drug Administration Regimens to Eliminate Lymphatic Filariasis (WHO 2017)
  2. Diethylcarbamazine Citrate 100 mg Tablets, WHO Public Assessment Report (WHOPAR)
  3. A controlled trial of ivermectin and diethylcarbamazine in lymphatic filariasis

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Common questions about Delcar (FAQ)


Q: How quickly can I expect Delcar to start working?

A: Official information describes the anthelmintic action of Delcar as rapid at the molecular level, causing parasite paralysis. Due to this mechanism, official documents indicate that systemic reactions, such as fever or itching, may be observed within the first 24 hours of starting treatment. This reaction is related to the process of parasite clearance.


Q: Why is Delcar prescribed for [Condition X]? (Placeholder for a common treated condition)

A: Delcar is officially designated for the treatment of various conditions caused by filarial nematodes (parasitic worms). These commonly include conditions such as lymphatic filariasis and loiasis. The drug’s dual action is intended to both eliminate the parasite and relieve the associated immunological discomfort.


Q: Are there any major diet changes required when taking Delcar?

A: Regulatory documents do not mandate specific diet changes or restrictions while using Delcar. However, official administration protocols specify that the medicine is taken with or immediately after food. This instruction is noted to aid in the medicine's tolerability and ensure proper absorption into the body.


Q: Can Delcar affect my ability to drive or operate machinery?

A: Official safety information indicates that Delcar can cause side effects like drowsiness, dizziness, or blurred vision. Because of these potential central nervous system effects, caution is necessary. Official labeling advises that individuals should use caution regarding driving or operating heavy machinery until the effect of the medicine on alertness is known.


Q: What should I do if I notice a change in my [Body System/Function] while on Delcar?

A: Official drug safety documents stress the importance of patient safety. Drug safety information advises that a healthcare professional should be contacted immediately if severe side effects, signs of a serious reaction (such as a fast or uneven heart rate or seizures), or a noticeable worsening of any symptoms are experienced.


Q: Can Delcar be crushed or broken if I have trouble swallowing pills?

A: Regulatory guidelines for Delcar tablets typically recommend swallowing the tablet whole. The medicine is designed to be absorbed in a certain way when intact. The product labeling advises against chewing, crushing, or breaking the tablet unless a specific alternative administration instruction is provided.


Q: How long does Delcar stay in my system after I stop taking it?

A: The time it takes for Delcar to clear the system is determined by the half-life of its active components. The half-life is the time required for the body to eliminate half of the drug. This duration may be prolonged in individuals with reduced kidney function (renal impairment).


Q: Is Delcar known to cause changes in weight?

A: Official drug labeling for Delcar does not list weight gain or weight loss as a common or frequently reported adverse reaction. Side effect profiles primarily focus on systemic reactions related to parasite death and common central nervous system effects.


Q: Does Delcar interfere with birth control pills?

A: The official drug interaction information does not list hormonal contraceptives (birth control pills) as a documented or contraindicated interaction. The full label information should be consulted, and all medicines, including contraceptives, should be reviewed with a healthcare professional.


Q: Is Delcar a controlled substance?

A: The components of Delcar are not scheduled under the US Controlled Substances Act. This means the medicine is not generally tracked for potential abuse. It is typically classified as a prescription-only medicine (Rx).


Q: Does Delcar interact with caffeine?

A: Official drug labeling does not list caffeine as a specifically documented interaction with Delcar. However, official information includes warnings regarding co-administration with other substances classified as CNS depressants (medicines that slow down the brain), including alcohol.


Q: How soon after stopping Delcar can I start taking [Interacting Medicine W]?

A: The official product information specifies a required 14-day washout period for a specific class of drugs, called Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors (MAOIs), before a patient can start taking Delcar. However, no universal advice is given for the duration a patient must wait after stopping Delcar to start other interacting medicines.


Q: Are there any known interactions between Delcar and herbal supplements?

A: Regulatory documents often lack specific information for herbal supplements as they are not tested like prescription drugs. Caution is generally advised with any supplement that may cause side effects similar to Delcar, such as sleepiness or dry mouth, due to potential reinforcement of these effects.


Q: Can Delcar be used by people who have diabetes?

A: Regulatory documents do not list diabetes as a specific condition requiring a contraindication or mandatory dose adjustment for Delcar. However, caution is advised for patients with pre-existing conditions like severe cardiovascular disease or renal/hepatic impairment.


Q: Do I need a special prescription for Delcar?

A: Yes, Delcar is designated as a prescription-only medicine (Rx). Dispensing requires a legal prescription from an authorized healthcare professional.


Q: Are interactions with common over-the-counter medicines possible with Delcar?

A: Yes, interactions are possible. Official documents list specific interactions with drugs that can be found in common over-the-counter medicines, such as those with sedative effects (e.g., certain cold or sleep aids). The review of all ingredients in non-prescription medicines is generally advised.


Q: What is the official classification of Delcar’s safety during pregnancy?

A: While the specific letter-based risk category may vary by region, regulatory documents generally state that treatment with Delcar is typically excluded or not recommended for pregnant women. This reflects the need for careful consideration when used during pregnancy.


Q: Does Delcar have any warnings related to mental health or mood changes?

A: Official warnings primarily focus on effects related to the central nervous system, such as drowsiness, dizziness, and rare, serious reactions like seizures. There is no widespread warning specifically dedicated to general mood changes or psychiatric adverse reactions beyond these established neurological risks.


How should Delcar be stored and disposed of?

How to Store and Dispose of Delcar?

Storing Delcar (Chlorpheniramine and Diethylcarbamazine) requires adherence to specific regulatory rules to ensure product stability and safety. The medicine must be stored at room temperature and kept away from excessive heat, moisture, and direct light. It is a mandatory requirement to keep the tablets in a closed container and securely out of the sight and reach of children to prevent accidental ingestion.

Official Disposal Instructions

Do not flush unused or expired Delcar down a toilet or pour it down a sink. The best option for disposal is to use an authorized drug take-back program. If a take-back program is unavailable, the medicine should be mixed with an undesirable substance (such as used coffee grounds or dirt), sealed in a container, and then placed in the household trash.

Attention! Always consult to a doctor or pharmacist before using pills or medicines.

Equivalent of Delcar found in:

A-Z Index: