Under the Revised National Filaria Control Programme (RNFCP), the drug regimen used for Mass Drug Administration (MDA) in areas co-endemic for lymphatic filariasis and loiasis is NOT the same as standard MDA. In India, the standard MDA regimen for filariasis is:
- A DEC 6 mg/kg + Albendazole 400 mg + Ivermectin 200 µg/kg (triple drug therapy — IDA) ✓
- B DEC 6 mg/kg single dose + Albendazole 400 mg annually
- C Ivermectin 200 µg/kg + Albendazole 400 mg annually
- D DEC 300 mg monthly for 12 months
Correct answer: A. DEC 6 mg/kg + Albendazole 400 mg + Ivermectin 200 µg/kg (triple drug therapy — IDA)
Explanation
India adopted Triple Drug Therapy (IDA — Ivermectin, DEC, Albendazole) for MDA in lymphatic filariasis from 2018 onwards in selected districts, and has been scaling it up. IDA provides superior microfilaraemia clearance compared to the older DEC + Albendazole two-drug regimen. The DEC + Albendazole (two-drug) MDA is the older standard still used in some areas. Ivermectin monotherapy (without DEC) is used in loiasis co-endemic areas outside India.
Reference: Park's Textbook of Preventive and Social Medicine, 27th ed.
High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP
Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.