Which drug class is used to treat worm infections?

Which drug class is used to treat worm infections?

• A. Antiviral
• B. Anthelmintics
• C. Antianemic
• D. Antidysrhythmic

Answer: (B)

Worm infections are caused by helminths, so the medicines used must act on those parasites. Anthelmintics are drugs that kill or paralyze worms, either by disrupting their energy uptake or by affecting their neuromuscular function. For example, albendazole and mebendazole inhibit parasite microtubule formation, trimming off glucose uptake and energy. Praziquantel increases calcium influx, causing paralysis of the worm, and ivermectin disrupts nerve signaling in many parasites. These actions are specific to worms, making anthelmintics the appropriate class for treating worm infections. The other classes don’t target helminths: antivirals work against viruses, antianemics address anemia, and antidysrhythmics treat abnormal heart rhythms.

Worm infections are caused by helminths, so the medicines used must act on those parasites. Anthelmintics are drugs that kill or paralyze worms, either by disrupting their energy uptake or by affecting their neuromuscular function. For example, albendazole and mebendazole inhibit parasite microtubule formation, trimming off glucose uptake and energy. Praziquantel increases calcium influx, causing paralysis of the worm, and ivermectin disrupts nerve signaling in many parasites. These actions are specific to worms, making anthelmintics the appropriate class for treating worm infections. The other classes don’t target helminths: antivirals work against viruses, antianemics address anemia, and antidysrhythmics treat abnormal heart rhythms.