Levamisole Hydrochloride CAS 16595-80-5: Complete Buyer Guide

Written by: ALEN, Chemical Engineer, MOSINTER | 15 years in vitamin manufacturing and pharmaceutical APIs

Levamisole hydrochloride (CAS 16595-80-5) remains one of the most effective anthelmintic compounds in both veterinary medicine and pharmaceutical manufacturing. As a white crystalline powder with a melting point of 226-231°C, this pharmaceutical-grade API delivers consistent performance against roundworms, hookworms, and various nematode infections. Procurement managers and veterinary professionals across the globe source this compound for applications ranging from livestock deworming to aquaculture parasite control. The challenge? Finding a supplier who delivers genuine pharmaceutical-grade quality with proper documentation-not just another reseller offering inconsistent batches. This guide covers everything you need to know about levamisole hydrochloride specifications, applications, dosage considerations, and sourcing best practices from China's manufacturing hub.

What Is Levamisole Hydrochloride and How Does It Work?

When veterinarians and pharmaceutical manufacturers ask about levamisole hydrochloride, they typically want to understand its mechanism of action first. Levamisole hydrochloride is a synthetic imidazothiazole derivative that paralyzes parasitic worms by acting as a nicotinic acetylcholine receptor agonist, causing sustained muscle contraction and subsequent expulsion from the host. Unlike broad-spectrum dewormers that rely on metabolic disruption, levamisole's targeted neuromuscular mechanism delivers rapid results-often within 24 hours of administration.

The compound was originally developed in the 1960s and gained recognition for its dual properties: effective anthelmintic activity combined with immunomodulatory effects. According to the National Center for Biotechnology Information (PubChem), levamisole hydrochloride has the molecular formula C₁₁H₁₂N₂S·HCl with a molecular weight of 240.75 g/mol. The hydrochloride salt form enhances water solubility, making it suitable for various pharmaceutical preparations including tablets, powders, and injectable solutions.
 

Technical Specifications

Primary Applications: From Livestock to Aquaculture

Purchasing decisions for levamisole hydrochloride depend heavily on the intended application. The compound serves three primary markets: veterinary anthelmintic formulations (60% of global demand), aquaculture parasite control (25%), and pharmaceutical intermediate manufacturing (15%). Each application requires specific purity grades and formulation considerations.

Veterinary Applications

Levamisole hydrochloride for chickens, goats, cattle, and other livestock addresses gastrointestinal nematode infections that reduce feed conversion efficiency and growth rates. The compound demonstrates particular effectiveness against Ascaris, Oesophagostomum, and Haemonchus species. Farm operations report measurable improvements in herd health within days of proper administration.

What most suppliers won't tell you: levamisole's immunostimulatory properties provide secondary benefits beyond deworming. Research published on PubMed indicates the compound can enhance cell-mediated immunity, though this application requires veterinary oversight and careful dosing protocols.

Aquaculture Applications

Levamisole hydrochloride for fish has become increasingly important as aquaculture operations scale globally. Parasitic infections in fish farms can devastate production cycles, making effective treatment essential. Standard protocols involve bath treatments or medicated feed, with dosages calibrated to species-specific sensitivities. Tropical and ornamental fish hobbyists also utilize levamisole for treating internal parasites in controlled aquarium environments.

Drug Combinations and Synergistic Formulations

Modern anthelmintic therapy often combines levamisole hydrochloride with complementary agents to broaden spectrum coverage. The most clinically validated combinations include levamisole + albendazole for comprehensive nematode and cestode control, and levamisole + praziquantel for mixed parasitic infections including trematodes.

Levamisole hydrochloride combined with albendazole creates a synergistic effect: levamisole's rapid paralytic action complements albendazole's slower metabolic disruption, resulting in improved efficacy against resistant parasite strains. Clinical protocols typically administer these in sequence rather than simultaneous dosing.

Critical safety note: Levamisole hydrochloride should NOT be combined with tetrachloroethylene, as this increases toxicity risk significantly. Always consult product safety data sheets from authoritative sources such as the USP (United States Pharmacopeia) before formulating combination products.

Dosage Guidelines and Side Effects: What Buyers Must Know

Understanding levamisole hydrochloride dosage and side effects separates informed buyers from those who risk product returns and liability issues. Standard veterinary dosages range from 5-8 mg/kg body weight for cattle and sheep, while poultry formulations typically deliver 25-40 mg per bird depending on species and infection severity.

Potential side effects in animals include transient salivation, muscle tremors, and excitability at higher doses. These effects typically resolve within hours without treatment. Product formulators should ensure clear dosage instructions accompany all distributed products to minimize adverse event reports.

Sourcing Pharmaceutical-Grade Levamisole Hydrochloride from China

China dominates global levamisole hydrochloride manufacturing, accounting for over 70% of worldwide production capacity. Selecting a reputable Chinese supplier requires verification of GMP compliance, COA authenticity, and consistent batch-to-batch purity levels-factors that distinguish legitimate pharmaceutical manufacturers from chemical traders.

MOSINTER, with 21 years of industry experience, operates dedicated production lines for levamisole hydrochloride with annual capacity exceeding 500 tons. Each batch undergoes HPLC analysis with certificates of analysis available upon request. The company maintains flexible MOQ (minimum 1kg) and offers multiple shipping options including ocean, air, and land freight with 7-day lead times for standard orders.

Industry insight from our production floor: The crystallization process determines final purity more than any downstream refinement. Manufacturers who rush crystallization to maximize throughput often deliver product with inconsistent melting point ranges-a telltale sign of substandard processing. Request melting point verification (should be 226-231°C) on every batch before shipment approval.

Frequently Asked Questions About Levamisole Hydrochloride

What is levamisole hydrochloride used for?

Levamisole hydrochloride serves primarily as an anthelmintic (deworming) agent in veterinary medicine and human therapeutics. Its mechanism paralyzes roundworms, hookworms, and other nematode parasites, enabling their expulsion from the host. Secondary applications include immunomodulation in certain clinical protocols and as a pharmaceutical intermediate for combination drug products.

Where can I buy levamisole hydrochloride?

Pharmaceutical-grade levamisole hydrochloride is available from licensed API manufacturers, primarily in China and India. Reputable suppliers like MOSINTER offer direct sales with proper documentation including COA, MSDS, and quality certifications. For regulated markets, ensure your supplier can provide the required import documentation and compliance certificates for your jurisdiction.

How much levamisole hydrochloride for aquarium fish treatment?

For aquarium applications, standard treatment protocols recommend 2-4 ppm (parts per million) levamisole hydrochloride as a bath treatment. For a 29-gallon tank (approximately 110 liters), this translates to 220-440 mg of levamisole hydrochloride dissolved in tank water. Treatment duration typically extends 24-48 hours with water changes following treatment. Always remove carbon filtration during treatment as it absorbs the medication.

What are the main side effects of levamisole hydrochloride?

Common side effects in animals include temporary salivation, muscle tremors, and restlessness, typically resolving within a few hours. In rare cases at high doses, convulsions may occur. For human pharmaceutical applications, reported effects include nausea, vomiting, abdominal discomfort, and agranulocytosis with prolonged use. Always follow species-specific dosing guidelines to minimize adverse reactions.

Is levamisole hydrochloride the same as levamisole?

Levamisole hydrochloride is the salt form of levamisole (the free base). The hydrochloride salt offers superior water solubility and stability compared to the free base, making it the preferred form for most pharmaceutical and veterinary formulations. When calculating dosages, note that levamisole hydrochloride contains approximately 83% levamisole base by weight.

Final Thoughts: Making the Right Sourcing Decision

Levamisole hydrochloride remains an essential tool in global parasite control strategies across veterinary and aquaculture industries. Successful procurement requires attention to purity specifications, proper documentation, and supplier verification-factors that protect both your supply chain and end-user safety. Partner with established manufacturers who maintain transparent quality systems and can demonstrate consistent batch performance over time.

Ready to source pharmaceutical-grade levamisole hydrochloride? Contact MOSINTER today for pricing, samples, and technical specifications. Our team provides dedicated support from inquiry through delivery. WhatsApp: +8618989305995 Email: info1@mosinterchem.com Product Page: www.moschemical.com/levamisole-hydrochloride

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Last Updated: January 2026