Analyze this levamisole meds for potential after effect.

Levamisole (the active ingredient in Retrax Tablets 40 mg) can cause side effects ranging from mild and temporary to rare but serious ones.

This is an older anthelmintic (dewormer) still sold in some places for roundworms, hookworms, and similar parasites, usually as a single-dose treatment. Many countries have restricted or withdrawn it for human use because safer alternatives exist and the risks can outweigh the benefits for routine worm infections.

### Common / milder effects

These are the ones most people notice and they often settle on their own:

- Nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, diarrhea or stomach discomfort

- Metallic or bitter taste

- Headache, dizziness, fatigue or feeling generally unwell

- Mild skin rash or itching

- Temporary hair thinning in some cases.

More serious potential effects

These are less common but important:

- **Blood problems**, especially agranulocytosis (a sharp drop in white blood cells/neutrophils). This can leave you very open to infections. Signs include fever, chills, sore throat, unusual tiredness, or mouth sores. It is often reversible if the drug is stopped, but it can be dangerous. Risk appears higher with repeated doses or in people with certain genetic factors, though it has been reported with therapeutic use.

- **Neurological issues**, including leukoencephalopathy (inflammation/damage in the white matter of the brain). This can show up days to weeks (sometimes months) later with confusion, memory problems, weakness, numbness/tingling, speech difficulties, or seizures. European regulators recently concluded the risk of this serious condition is enough to withdraw levamisole for worm treatment in the EU.

- Skin and vessel problems such as vasculitis or purpura (painful purple skin lesions, especially on ears, face, or extremities)

- Other reported effects: joint/muscle pain, mood changes (anxiety, depression), liver enzyme changes, or allergic reactions

Single-dose use for worms (the typical way this product is marketed) is generally considered lower-risk than the higher/repeated doses once used for immune or cancer purposes, but serious reactions have still been documented and cannot be ruled out.

**Bottom line**: The social-media warning in the post is not baseless. Safer, better-studied dewormers are widely available in most places. Do not take this (or any medication) based on online photos or casual advice. Talk to a doctor or pharmacist first—especially if you have any history of blood disorders, immune issues, neurological problems, liver/kidney concerns, or if you’re pregnant/breastfeeding. They can check whether you even need treatment and recommend something appropriate if you do. If someone has already taken it and develops fever, unusual bruising, severe headache, confusion, or other worrying symptoms, seek medical help promptly.