Levamisole is a synthetic imidazothiazole derivative with anthelmintic and immunomodulatory properties. It acts primarily on nicotinic acetylcholine receptors of susceptible nematodes, causing sustained neuromuscular activation, paralysis and eventual elimination of the parasites.
Levamisole has been used as an anthelmintic in veterinary medicine and has also had historical applications in human medicine as an immunomodulatory agent.
Levamisole is a specialized pharmaceutical API manufactured through controlled chemical synthesis, purification and crystallization.
Important quality attributes include identity, assay, related substances, stereochemical purity, water content, residual solvents, elemental impurities and stability.
CAS Number: 14769-73-4
Molecular Formula: C11H12N2S
Molecular Weight: 204.29 g/mol
Drug Class: Anthelmintic / Immunomodulator
Pharmacological Class: Imidazothiazole Anthelmintic
Therapeutic Class: Antiparasitic Agent
Therapeutic Area: Parasitology / Veterinary Medicine
Levamisole acts on nicotinic acetylcholine receptors in nematode parasites.
This produces persistent stimulation of the parasite's neuromuscular system, resulting in:
Levamisole also has immunomodulatory activity, although its immunological mechanism is distinct from its anthelmintic action.
Levamisole has been used primarily as an anthelmintic for susceptible nematode infections, particularly in veterinary medicine.
Historically, it was also used in certain human therapeutic settings, although its human use has become limited in many markets because of safety concerns and the availability of alternative treatments.
Levamisole belongs to the imidazothiazole class of anthelmintic compounds. It is the pharmacologically active levorotatory isomer associated with the anthelmintic activity of the compound.
Its stereochemical purity is therefore an important quality attribute for pharmaceutical manufacturing.
Typical API manufacturing may involve:
Levamisole API quality evaluation may include:
Levamisole should be stored in a tightly closed container under controlled pharmaceutical storage conditions, protected from excessive heat, moisture and direct light. Final storage conditions should be established through validated stability studies.
Levamisole is relevant to research involving:
Levamisole is an imidazothiazole anthelmintic with CAS Number 14769-73-4, molecular formula C11H12N2S, and molecular weight 204.29 g/mol. It acts primarily through nicotinic acetylcholine receptors in susceptible nematodes, producing neuromuscular paralysis and parasite elimination.
| Parameter | Specification |
|---|---|
| Appearance | White to off-white crystalline powder |
| Identification | IR & HPLC compliant |
| Assay (HPLC) | 98.0% – 102.0% |
| Loss on Drying | NMT 1.0% |
| Residue on Ignition | NMT 0.5% |
| Individual Impurity | ≤ 0.5% |
| Total Impurities | ≤ 1.5% |
| Water Content | NMT 1.0% |