What routes can Levamisole be administered by?

Available routes: PO, SC, Topical.

Is Levamisole a controlled substance?

Levamisole is not federally scheduled in the US. Controlled-drug status differs by country — verify your local rules.

Levamisole

US brand names:Levasole, Tramisol

Sourced from published veterinary references. Awaiting credentialed clinical reviewer — our editorial process.

Levamisole is dosed at 5–10 mg/kg SC once, repeat in 14 days in ball pythons, per Luppi M, Costa M, Malta M, et al. Treatment of Rhabdias labiata with levamisole and ivermectin in boa constrictor (Boa constrictor amarali). Veterinaria Noticias. 2007;13:61-65. — Verified against Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed, p.227 (2026-08-01).. Verify against current literature before clinical use.

Drug Class

Antiparasitic

Routes

POSCTopical

Indications

GI nematodesImmunomodulationlungwormsNematode infections Nematode infections (Ascaridia)

Mechanism of Action

Nicotinic acetylcholine receptor agonist causing sustained muscle contraction and paralysis in nematodes. Also has immunostimulant properties.

Side effects & warnings

Narrow safety margin — toxicity causes cholinergic signs (salivation, tremors, dyspnea). TOXIC to dogs at high doses. Immunomodulatory use at low doses.

Species with Levamisole dosing data (10 dose rules)

African Grey Parrot Ball Python Bearded Dragon Cattle (Beef/Dairy)Dog (Domestic)Goat (Caprine)Guinea Pig Sheep (Ovine)Swine (Pig)

Species references:All African Grey Parrot drugs All Ball Python drugs All Bearded Dragon drugs All Cattle (Beef/Dairy) drugs All Dog (Domestic) drugs All Goat (Caprine) drugs All Guinea Pig drugs

Evidence levels across 10 dose rules

Weak×3Moderate×3Strong×4

Each ExoticRx dose rule is graded by the strength of its primary evidence — see the editorial process.

Backed by 8 published sources

· Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed
· Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed. | Open-access corroboration 2026-07-21: PMC7150056 — Laboratory Animal Medicine — Biology and Diseases of Guinea Pigs (PMC7150056). guinea-pig nematode (Paraspidodera uncinata) therapy; matches DB indication and 25 mg/kg upper bound.
· Hoste H, Sotiraki S, Torres-Acosta JFD. Control of endoparasitic nematode infections in goats. Vet Clin North Am Food Animal Pract. 2011;27(1):163-173. doi:10.1016/j.cvfa.2010.10.008; Byers S. Internal and external parasites. Presented at: Wild West Veterinary Conference; 2014. doi:10.1016/b978-0-08-092532-5.50014-3; Menzies P. Control of gastrointestinal parasitism part 2. Presented at: Canadian Veterinary Medical Association (CVMA); 2014. PMID: 12495373 — Verified against Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 10th Ed, p.772 (2026-08-01).

Sample dosing (1 of 10 cited rules)

A dog/cat sample is shown here. Cited dosing for all 9 species — reptiles, birds, pocket pets, livestock, and equine — is free on the per-species pages above. Pro adds the weight-based calculator for every species.

Species	Route	Dose	Frequency	Evidence	Source
Dog (Domestic)	PO	2–5 mg/kg	q48h	Weak	Johnson KC, Mackin A. Canine immune-mediated polyarthritis: part 2: diagnosis and treatment. J Am Anim Hosp Assoc. 2012;48(2):71-82. PMID: 22267168 — Verified against Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 10th Ed, p.771 (2026-08-01).

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