Compassionate Use of Triclabendazole for the Treatment of Parasites (Prior to FDA Approval; Expanded Access Program)

Triclabendazole is a benzimidazole compound used as a systemic antihelmintic in veterinary practice. Triclabendazole is considered to be a second-line drug for parasites and is used when other preferred agents cannot be used because they are ineffective or because adverse reactions limit their use. Although Triclabendazole is widely used in developing countries for the treatment of parasites it is not approved by the FDA for this treatment in the US. It is currently being distributed in the US through a special arrangement with the FDA and the manufacturer on an individual patient approval basis. This arrangement requires that a single patient Investigational New Drug (IND) be obtained from FDA for each patient requiring Triclabendazole. Upon approval by FDA, the manufacturer (Novartis) will ship the drug directly to the prescribing physician.