Levamisole-induced leukoencephalopathy: a rare drug side effect

E. S. Yelshibayeva, A. Zh. Suigenbayev, A. B. Mergalimova, Zh. B. Ospanova

Journal of radiology and nuclear medicine, 2025

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DOI 10.20862/0042-4676-2024-105-6-314-324

Data confidence 70 medium

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Abstract

Levamisole is an antihelminthic drug that is widely used in clinical practice. One of its rare side effects is the development of levamisole-associated multifocal inflammatory leukoencephalopathy, which progresses 2–8 weeks after treatment and is characterized by brain demyelination and white matter damage. The article describes a case of levamisole-induced leukoencephalopathy, which should be differentiated from multiple sclerosis, acute disseminated encephalomyelitis, and neuromyelitis optica.