What does antihelminthic mean?
An antihelminthic is something that acts against parasitic worms, especially intestinal worms such as tapeworms, roundworms, and flukes. The adjective describes a substance or treatment capable of killing or expelling these parasites, while the noun refers to a drug used for that purpose. In medicine and veterinary practice, antihelminthics may be given after an infection is diagnosed, although routine deworming practices vary by species and region. The word belongs primarily to scientific and clinical language, so it is more precise and technical than the everyday expression “deworming medicine.” Its close alternative, anthelmintic, uses the older-looking form without the prefix “anti-,” but the two spellings have the same meaning. Knowing antihelminthic is useful when reading pharmacological information, discussing parasite control in animals, or understanding why a particular medication is prescribed. The term’s construction also makes its meaning memorable: “anti-” means “against,” and “helminthic” refers to worms.
Effective against or destructive to parasitic worms.
"The compound showed promising antihelminthic effects in laboratory tests."
Chiefly used in medical, veterinary, and parasitological contexts.
A medicine or other substance that kills or expels parasitic worms.
"The veterinarian administered an antihelminthic to treat the infected animal."
The noun is most common in technical and clinical writing.
The plural is used when referring to multiple drugs or agents of this kind.
"Several antihelminthics are used to treat intestinal parasite infections."
The name literally says “against worms”: antihelminthics are medicines aimed at parasites that live in animals and humans.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does antihelminthic come from?
Antihelminthic combines the prefix anti-, meaning “against,” with helminthic, which is derived from Greek helmins, meaning “worm.” The same Greek source underlies English words including helminth, helminthiasis, and helminthology. Antihelminthic is a systematic modern alternative spelling of the closely related form anthelmintic.
Related word forms
How antihelminthic is actually used
This is specialized vocabulary used chiefly in medicine, veterinary medicine, parasitology, and pharmacology. The adjective is more common in general technical writing, while the noun occurs most often in scientific literature.
Easily confused with antihelminthic
Anthelmintic is an alternative spelling of antihelminthic and has the same meaning in medicine and parasitology.
Helminthic means relating to or characteristic of worms, whereas antihelminthic specifically describes something used against parasitic worms.