Inhibition of the adverse reaction to diethylcarbamazine in Dirofilaria immitis-infected dogs by diazepam.
Eight dogs with a Dirofilaria immitis microfilaraemia predictive for a moderately severe post-diethylcarbamazine (DEC) reaction, and 6 dogs with a microfilarial density predictive for a severe, fatal or near-fatal, reaction were given 5 mg diazepam (Valium) by intramuscular injection followed, 30 minutes later, by an intramuscular injection of 5 mg/kg DEC. Diazepam completely, or almost completely, blocked the post-DEC adverse reaction in all dogs of both groups. However, 5 D. immitis-infected dogs given DEC immediately following the injection of diazepam all developed an adverse reaction of a degree of severity, as measured by clinical and haematological parameters, customary for their level of microfilaraemia.
D000410:Alanine Transaminase / Q000097:blood; D000818:Animals; D001219:Aspartate Aminotransferases / Q000097:blood; D003975:Diazepam / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004049:Diethylcarbamazine / Q000009:adverse effects*; D004184:Dirofilariasis / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy*; D004285:Dogs; D005340:Fibrinogen / Q000032:analysis; D010976:Platelet Count
D005340:Fibrinogen; D001219:Aspartate Aminotransferases; D000410:Alanine Transaminase; D003975:Diazepam; D004049:Diethylcarbamazine