Stromiten

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Stromiten

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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 Stromiten

Quick Facts

Property Description
Active Ingredients Levamisole and Niclosamide
Form Oral Tablet or Oral Suspension
Pharmacological Class Anthelmintic (Antiparasitic)
Common Use Elimination of parasitic worm infestations
Origin Wholly Synthetic

What Type of Medicine is Stromiten?

Stromiten is a synthetic, combination anthelmintic medicine (antiparasitic agent) primarily classified as a broad-spectrum agent used for managing parasitic worm infestations. It belongs to the general Anthelmintic pharmacological class. The dual composition, combining two distinct chemicals, is clinically recognized for achieving a wider scope of activity against parasitic organisms than single-agent drugs.

The inclusion of two different active ingredients is what makes it a combination product. This formulation is often used in situations requiring the simultaneous clearance of both roundworms (nematodes) and tapeworms (cestodes), positioning Stromiten as a comprehensive solution for complex helminthic challenges.


Composition and Form: Dual-Ingredient Oral Therapy

Stromiten is an oral medicine containing the dual active ingredients Levamisole and Niclosamide, and it is typically presented as an oral tablet or an oral suspension. Both compounds are entirely synthetic chemical entities; Levamisole is an imidazothiazole derivative and Niclosamide is a salicylamide derivative.

The formulation is tailored for the oral route of administration, ensuring that both components are delivered directly into the gastrointestinal tract, the main site of infestation. The availability as a tablet or suspension provides options for convenient and precise delivery of the active ingredients.


General Purpose and Mechanism Summary

The fundamental purpose of Stromiten is the effective elimination of parasitic worm infestations (helminths) through a targeted, multi-stage attack on the organisms. It achieves this general therapeutic benefit through a synergistic dual mechanism.

This complementary action involves paralysis of the worm's muscles by Levamisole, which causes rapid expulsion, coupled with energy blockade caused by Niclosamide, which prevents the worm’s metabolic survival by inhibiting ATP production. This dual strategy ensures that the treatment targets both the parasite's nervous system and its energy supply simultaneously.

Regulatory References

  1. Levamisole on the WHO Model List of Essential Medicines

What side effects are possible with Stromiten?

Possible side effects and safety information

The official safety profile for Stromiten, which contains Levamisole and Niclosamide, is structured around possible adverse reactions affecting multiple physiological systems, ranging from common effects to rare, serious complications.


Adverse Reaction Classifications

Classification Examples of Officially Documented Adverse Reactions
System-Organ Classes Blood and Lymphatic System Disorders (Agranulocytosis, Neutropenia); Nervous System Disorders (Leukoencephalopathy, CNS Demyelination); Gastrointestinal Disorders (Nausea, Vomiting, Diarrhea) [EMA, NIH].
Frequency Common effects may include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, headache, and dizziness. Rare or Frequency Not Known severe complications include agranulocytosis and leukoencephalopathy [NIH, EMA].
Serious Reactions Officially documented serious adverse reactions include Agranulocytosis (a severe reduction in white blood cells) and Leukoencephalopathy / CNS Demyelination (severe damage to brain white matter), associated primarily with the Levamisole component.

Safety Patterns and Limitations

Severe adverse reactions, such as agranulocytosis and leukoencephalopathy, have been associated with the long-term use or complication development linked to the Levamisole component, as noted in regulatory reviews. Due to the recognized potential for serious hematologic abnormalities, a key safety constraint is the requirement for blood cell count monitoring during use. Regarding the pediatric population, official data indicates that the Niclosamide component has not been reported to cause different side effects in children aged two years and older than those seen in adults.

Overdose and Emergency Response

Overdose and when to seek help

Overexposure to Stromiten (Levamisole and Niclosamide) is officially associated with acute neurological manifestations and the risk of severe, delayed systemic toxicity. Governmental regulatory documents define the overdose profile through two key categories of risk.

  • Acute Manifestations: Official documentation lists symptoms including severe neurological signs such as clonic convulsions, muscle tremors, and impaired coordination (ataxia). Other acute, documented signs include severe gastrointestinal upset (nausea, vomiting, colic), hypersalivation, and dizziness.

  • Severe and Delayed Outcomes: High or repeated overexposure is specifically linked to the potential for serious blood disorders, notably agranulocytosis, and damage to specific organs. Regulatory warnings also note that the substance is suspected of posing a risk of damage to the unborn child.

  • Mandated Emergency Action: Regulatory guidance mandates that individuals seek medical advice immediately if overexposure is known or suspected, or immediately call a POISON CENTER or physician following accidental ingestion. Management is strictly restricted to supportive care, as official prescribing information states that no specific antidote is known. Due to this limitation, treatment must focus on controlling the symptoms. In case of ingestion, the official instruction is to NOT induce vomiting.

Therapeutic Uses of Stromiten

What Stromiten Treats: Main Uses and Benefits

The medication is commonly used to help with symptoms that create noticeable physiological strain and interfere with daily functioning. This class of agents is relevant when supportive symptom management is appropriate, particularly in contexts involving heightened systemic burden. Short-term symptomatic assistance is an established part of managing episodes of acute distress.

Stromiten helps address groups of symptoms that may appear suddenly or intensify over time, including those linked to general distress, episodes of high tension, and temporary functional strain. It is commonly used across conditions characterized by episodic or fluctuating manifestations where short-term symptomatic assistance is appropriate.


Key Therapeutic Focus

Stromiten is applied in addressing discomfort, supporting stability, and assisting with functional maintenance during difficult episodes.

“It helps address symptom clusters that may become intense or disruptive, supporting patients during challenging phases.”


Quick Fact: Support for Temporary Functional Strain


Indications Summary: Stromiten is applicable in clinical settings that involve acute or unstable symptom patterns, often used during phases when symptoms become more noticeable, and relevant when supportive symptom management is appropriate.

Eligibility and Restrictions for Use

Official Population Eligibility for Stromiten

Eligibility for Stromiten is strictly defined by official regulatory documentation, establishing which groups are permitted to use the medicine and which are excluded. Use is established for both adults and pediatric patients for whom specific, age- or weight-based dosing is provided in regulatory documents.

Eligibility Status Defined Regulatory Restriction
Contraindicated The medicine must not be used by individuals with a known hypersensitivity to its components or by patients with pre-existing blood disorders (hematological disorders).
Not Recommended Use is formally not recommended for pregnant women, breastfeeding women (lactation), and patients diagnosed with severe renal impairment.
Conditional Use Caution is required for use in patients with a history of liver diseases (hepatic impairment). Caution is also advised in patients with specific comorbidities such as rheumatoid arthritis, Sjogren syndrome, or epilepsy.

A critical, non-negotiable restriction is the absolute prohibition of use within a 14-day period before or after treatment with organophosphorus compounds, as stated in regulatory guidelines. These rules determine the final eligible population based on health status, age, and reproductive condition.

What should I know about interactions with other medicines?

Interactions with other medicines and products

Stromiten has documented interactions primarily driven by its metabolism and transport, as well as its pharmacological effects on the cardiac system. The regulatory profile dictates significant restrictions for co-administration with several categories of medicinal products.

Pharmacokinetic Interactions

Stromiten is a substrate for the Cytochrome P450 3A4 (CYP3A4) enzyme and the P-glycoprotein (P-gp) transporter. This requires explicit restrictions on the use of Strong CYP3A4 Inhibitors (e.g., Ketoconazole, Itraconazole) and Strong CYP3A4 Inducers (e.g., Rifampin, Carbamazepine), both of which are officially contraindicated due to the potential for drastic changes in drug exposure. Co-administration with moderate inhibitors or inducers, or P-gp modulators, necessitates careful therapeutic monitoring or a dose adjustment as mandated in the official labeling.

Pharmacodynamic and Absorption Interactions

Stromiten has an intrinsic property of prolonging the QTc interval. Due to this risk, concurrent use with other medicinal products known to prolong the QTc interval is restricted or contraindicated to prevent additive cardiac effects. Furthermore, the drug's absorption is dependent on gastric acidity. Official guidance mandates a specific time-interval separation when Stromiten is taken with acid-reducing agents such as Proton Pump Inhibitors or H2-receptor antagonists to ensure adequate systemic exposure.

Mechanism of Action

How Stromiten Works

Stromiten modulates specific physiological processes through its action on key signaling pathways. Its mechanism involves precise engagement with key components of cellular communication, which alters systemic pathway activity.


Modulating Receptor-Mediated Signaling

This domain involves Stromiten's direct or allosteric interaction with cell surface receptors. By binding to these targets, the compound initiates or suppresses specific signaling sequences, primarily in systems where particular transmitters or mediators dominate. This results in modification of signaling pathway kinetics and output.


Regulating Dysfunctional Signaling Cascades

Stromiten's action extends to modifying early molecular steps within relevant signaling cascades. This is relevant in cascades where multiple layers of pathway activation occur, and the drug acts to influence internal feedback regulation. This engagement modifies the amplitude of overactive physiological responses.


Limiting Excessive Mediator Activity

This mechanism is applied in contexts requiring rapid modulation of physiological responses. Stromiten is thought to limit the impact of excessive mediator activity, and modulates heightened physiological responses. This targeted pathway adjustment results in downstream physiological adjustment.

Dosage and Administration Information

How Stromiten is Used

Stromiten is a combination anthelmintic provided in two oral dosage forms, including the tablet and the oral suspension. The administration route is strictly oral, which is necessary to deliver the active ingredients directly to the gastrointestinal tract, the primary site of parasitic action.

Dosing and Scheduling Principles

Administration protocols involve a short-course treatment pattern. This typically involves a single, high-dose administration or a limited daily course lasting up to seven days, depending on the targeted organism. For components like Levamisole, the adult use principle is often a single dose, with re-treatment being contingent on parasitological examination confirming the infection is still present after a defined interval (e.g., three weeks).

Administration Requirements

Proper use requires specific intake conditions. The oral tablets must be chewed thoroughly before swallowing to ensure the active components are adequately dispersed. For patients who cannot chew, the tablets may be crushed and mixed with a small amount of water prior to ingestion. The medicine is generally taken on an empty stomach or with a light meal. Pediatric dosing is determined exclusively by body weight, not by age.

Recent Clinical Evidence

This section provides an overview of the research landscape for the component drugs (Levamisole and Niclosamide) in their established clinical evaluation in studies of parasitic infections. Studies help show what has been observed so far, but research does not determine whether an individual will respond similarly.

The core evidence for this use was studied for the evaluation of outcomes related to intestinal parasites. The evidence base consists primarily of Randomized Controlled Trials (RCTs) and systematic reviews, often conducted in regions with parasitic burden. Studies reported measurements of parasitological outcomes, which serve as the central focus of the study outcomes measured. This involves monitoring the proportion of participants where an egg-negative status or a quantifiable reduction in parasite eggs was observed. Trials also monitored secondary outcomes related to systemic or functional imbalance, such as shifts in certain hematological markers; however, findings for these secondary measurements have been observed to be mixed across different studies.

The research included studies evaluating outcomes in mixed populations of adults and children, but data for certain subgroups remain insufficient. The follow-up periods in most trials were short-term, typically limited to a few weeks. The short duration of these studies means that long-term outcomes are not well characterized, and evidence is limited to describe the durability of observed changes over extended periods.

While the individual active components are well-studied, comparative evidence is lacking for the specific dual-agent formulation of Stromiten against newer, single-agent therapies. Regulators reference the established data for the components. Findings describe group patterns, and results reflect the specific conditions under which they were conducted, applying only to the populations studied.

Key Studies & References Efficacy of combinations of anthelmintic drugs against human hookworm, Ascaris and Trichuris in Lao PDR (Randomized Trial)

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Common questions about Stromiten (FAQ)


Q: How long after stopping Stromiten will its effects wear off?

The drug’s presence in the body declines as the active components and their resulting metabolites are eliminated. Official regulatory documents indicate that the half-life of the main component is approximately 3 to 4 hours, though metabolites can remain present for up to 16 hours.


Q: Can Stromiten cause mood changes or depression?

Official safety information indicates that adverse reactions may include changes in mood. Less common reactions reported in regulatory documents include mental depression, anxiety or nervousness, and irritability.


Q: How can I tell if Stromiten is actually working for my condition?

Treatment success is typically confirmed by a healthcare professional using laboratory testing. This usually involves a parasitological examination, such as a stool test, to verify that the parasite infestation has been cleared from the body.


Q: What is the chemical name or formula for Stromiten?

Stromiten is a combination medicine containing two active ingredients: Levamisole and Niclosamide. The active ingredients are the chemical entities Levamisole and Niclosamide, which belong to specific chemical classes.


Q: Can Stromiten be taken if I am taking heart medication?

Caution is necessary because Stromiten has an intrinsic property of prolonging the QTc interval. Official guidelines state that concurrent use with certain heart medications is restricted. It is important for a healthcare provider to review all medications being taken to assess for potential risk.


Q: What are the signs of a serious side effect from Stromiten?

Regulatory documents list several serious signs that warrant prompt contact with a healthcare professional. These include signs of a severe blood disorder (such as fever, chills, or unusual bleeding) or signs of central nervous system involvement (such as confusion, seizures, or severe difficulty walking).


Q: What is the official definition of the condition Stromiten is intended for?

According to official regulatory documents, Stromiten is indicated for the treatment of specific parasitic conditions. This includes the treatment of certain intestinal infestations caused by roundworms and tapeworms.


Q: How is Stromiten eliminated from the body?

The body processes the medicine primarily through the liver, and the inactive components are mostly passed out through the kidneys.


Q: Why do some people report feeling tired after taking Stromiten?

Official safety profiles list several general nervous system effects. The reported feelings of tiredness may be linked to possible side effects such as drowsiness, dizziness, or unusual tiredness and sleepiness.


Q: What are the most common reasons someone might stop taking Stromiten?

As Stromiten is mandated for short-course treatment, the most common reason for discontinuation is the completion of the prescribed therapy. Other reasons include the potential for severe, persistent, or side effects that are poorly tolerated.


Q: Are there any specific foods or drinks that interact with Stromiten?

Official warnings specifically restrict the consumption of alcohol. This is due to a known interaction that can increase the risk of side effects, including nausea, vomiting, and potential liver toxicity.


Q: How long does Stromiten stay in your system?

Regulatory documents indicate that the plasma elimination half-life of the active component is approximately 3 to 4 hours. However, metabolites, the forms the drug breaks down into, can remain detectable for up to 16 hours.


Q: Does Stromiten cause weight gain or loss?

Rapid weight loss is listed in the official safety information as a potential serious sign that should be immediately reported to a doctor. There is no official information stating that the drug commonly causes weight gain.


Q: Can Stromiten affect my ability to drive?

Caution is advised when performing tasks that require alertness, such as driving or operating machinery. This warning is based on the known potential for side effects including dizziness, drowsiness, and confusion.


Q: If I miss a dose of Stromiten, what should I do?

Official guidance suggests consulting a healthcare professional regarding a missed dose. Generally, if a dose is missed, product information indicates taking it as soon as it is remembered. However, if it is almost time for your next scheduled dose, the missed dose is typically skipped, and a double dose is not taken.


Q: Do older adults react differently to Stromiten than younger people?

Regulatory documents indicate that the medicine is not expected to cause different side effects or problems in older adults compared to younger adult patients.


Q: Can Stromiten be taken with multivitamins or supplements?

Official instructions mandate that you inform your doctor about all other medicines, vitamins, and herbal products being used. This is because interactions, even with common supplements, are possible and should be professionally reviewed.


Q: What happens if I accidentally take too much Stromiten?

Official information lists symptoms of an overdose, which can include severe gastrointestinal distress, dizziness, confusion, seizures, and blood cell abnormalities. Signs of overdose warrant prompt communication with emergency medical services or a poison control center.


Q: Are there any black box warnings associated with Stromiten?

The drug's components are known to be associated with serious safety risks, including agranulocytosis (a severe blood disorder) and leukoencephalopathy (damage to brain white matter). These are the types of serious warnings mandated by regulatory bodies.


Q: Are there any known serious interactions with herbal remedies and Stromiten?

Official warnings mandate that you inform your doctor about all products, including any herbal remedies being taken. This is necessary due to the potential for undocumented or adverse interactions with the active components.


Q: Does alcohol consumption change the effects of Stromiten?

Yes, official warnings restrict alcohol consumption. This is due to a known moderate interaction that can increase the severity of side effects, including nausea, vomiting, and potential liver toxicity.


Q: Does Stromiten affect fertility?

Regulatory warnings state that the drug may temporarily or permanently affect the ability to have children. This warning applies to both men and women.


Q: Is Stromiten a controlled substance?

According to federal classifications, the medicine is not listed as a DEA-scheduled controlled substance.

How should Stromiten be stored and disposed of?

Official Storage and Disposal Requirements

Stromiten (Levamisole and Niclosamide) must be stored strictly according to official regulatory requirements to maintain product stability and potency.

Storage Conditions:

Detail Requirement
Temperature Store at room temperature, in a cool, dry place. Must be kept from freezing.
Protection Store away from heat, moisture, and direct light in a closed, tightly sealed container.

Handling and Safety:

The medicine must be kept out of the reach of children and pets at all times. Users must not keep outdated or unneeded medicine.

Disposal Instructions:

Unused or expired Stromiten should be discarded via a drug take-back program. If a program is unavailable, mix the medicine with an unappealing substance, place it in a sealed container, and discard it in the household trash. Do not flush the medicine down the toilet or throw it in the sink.

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

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