Under the National Programme for Elimination of Lymphatic Filariasis, the standard Mass Drug Administration regimen given once annually to the eligible community consists of:

• A Diethylcarbamazine plus albendazole, single dose ✓
• B Diethylcarbamazine alone, three consecutive days
• C Ivermectin plus praziquantel, single dose
• D Albendazole twice yearly for two years

Explanation

The standard MDA regimen in India is a single annual dose of diethylcarbamazine (6 mg/kg) plus albendazole (400 mg), continued for a minimum of 5 years or until microfilaria rate falls below 1%. Albendazole also deworms against soil-transmitted helminths. Triple drug therapy adding ivermectin (IDA) has been introduced only in selected districts, so it is not the standard national regimen. Ivermectin plus praziquantel is not an antifilarial combination used in this programme.

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.