In 2026, the European Medicines Agency recommended withdrawing levamisole-containing medicines from the EU market after a safety review. The review found that these medicines can, in rare cases, cause leukoencephalopathy (damage to the brain’s white matter), and this adverse effect can occur even after a single dose. Because the drug is used for relatively mild parasitic worm infections and safer alternatives are available, the EMA concluded that its risks outweigh its benefits.
This does not apply to all medications, nor does it mean that every recalled medicine causes brain damage after one dose.
If you have taken levamisole and develop symptoms such as:
- Muscle weakness
- Difficulty speaking
- Confusion
- Trouble walking or coordinating movements
you should seek medical attention promptly, as symptoms may appear days to months after treatment.
If you saw this headline about a different drug, let me know its name and I can explain what the evidence says.
