Y41: Other systemic anti-infectives and antiparasitics
Y41.4: Anthelminthics
Anthelminthics is a term used to describe a class of medications that have the specified medical purpose of treating parasitic worm infestations. These are not a single condition but are anti-parasitic drugs that work against a variety of parasitic infections such as roundworms, whipworms, hookworms, tapeworms, and more. They are mainly used in the treatment of helminth infections, which are diseases caused by parasitic worms living in and feeding on their hosts. They can cause a range of symptoms including abdominal discomfort, weight loss, tiredness, and anaemia. The medication works by causing muscular paralysis in the parasite, causing them to lose their grip on the host's body and be expelled through the digestive system. Note that the term "anthelminthics" relates entirely to the medication and not a disease or condition.
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