Method for the treatment of onchocerciasis

摘要

Helmintic infections such as filariasis are effectively treated by topical application of a composition which comprises a dermatologically acceptable inert carrier suitable for application to human skin and having dispersed therein an anthelmintically effective but non-toxic quantity of a piperazine derivative having the general formula ##STR1## or a corresponding physiologically tolerable acid addition salt thereof. In the foregoing formula, R.sup.1 can be hydrogen or an alkyl radical containing 1 to 8 carbon atoms, and R.sup.2 and R.sup.3 can be alike or different and are members of the group consisting of hydrogen and alkyl radicals containing 1 to 8 carbon atoms with the proviso that at least one of the R.sup.2 and R.sup.3 groups is an alkyl radical.