With helminthic infestations, doctors prescribe the medicine "Decaris". Instructions for use reports on the effectiveness of this tool for helminthiases caused by roundworms. In addition, the medicine strengthens the immune system. It not only expels parasites, but also contributes to the speedy recovery of the body after invasion. An anthelmintic agent is intended both for the treatment of adult patients and for the treatment of helminthic diseases in children. It helps to quickly get rid of the most common types of parasitic worms.
The composition of the drug
The active component of the drug is levamisole. This substance is detrimental to the neuromuscular system of roundworms. In addition, the drug stimulates human immunity. This allows you to mobilize the body's defenses to combat parasites.
Dekaris for adults is available as white tablets. They contain 150 mg of active substance. They contain no dyes or flavors.
Dekaris for children is made in the form of orange tablets. They contain 50 mg of the active ingredient. Children's form of release has a pleasant smell. Apricot flavor and color added to the preparation.
Drug action
How does Dekaris act on parasites? Levamisole paralyzes the muscles of the worms. Exposure to helminths is carried out during a single dose of tablets. After that, immobilized parasites leave the intestine with feces within 24 hours.
Since the drug does not kill, but only paralyzes the worms, it acts on the human body more gently than other anthelmintics.
However, this tool does not affect all types of worms. The drug paralyzes the muscles of only those helminths that have developed muscles of the body. These are parasites from the class of roundworms. Dekaris tablets cannot affect tape parasites and flukes, since these worms are tightly attached by suction cups to the walls of internal organs.
This drug also activates the blood cells responsible for the immune system. Thus, it helps to strengthen the body's defenses.
Indications
Instructions for use "Dekaris" recommends the use of tablets for helminth diseases caused by roundworms. Before prescribing the drug, it is necessary to pass an analysis of feces for worm eggs to identify the type of pathogen. The following types of parasites are susceptible to the effects of the drug:
- roundworms;
- pinworms;
- whipworms;
- hookworms;
- toxocaras;
- necators;
- intestinal acne.
In addition, the medicine is used for toxoplasmosis. It can also affect microscopic protozoan parasites.
More recently, this drug was prescribed for immunodeficiency conditions. It was used for herpes, frequent colds, stomatitis, Crohn's disease, as well as in the recovery period after radiation therapy. However, today there are many other immunomodulators with less pronounced side effects. Therefore, at present, this medicine is rarely prescribed in order to strengthen the body's defenses. The main field of application of the drug is antiparasitic therapy.
Contraindications
Instructions for use "Dekaris" prohibits the use of this tool for anthelmintic therapy in children under 3 years of age.
During pregnancy, this drug can also not be used, like other pharmacological anthelmintic drugs. All medicines for worms are toxic and can negatively affect the development of the unborn child. During the period of gestation, the use of only folk remedies for parasites is allowed.
It is not recommended to prescribe this medicine during lactation. The active component of the drug may pass into milk. If there is a need for anthelmintic treatment, then breastfeeding should be interrupted.
Also, a drug with levamisole is contraindicated in patients with blood diseases - agranulocytosis and leukemia.
Diseases of the liver and kidneys are not absolute contraindications for the appointment of an anthelmintic. However, in this case, the appointment of a reduced dosage of Dekaris is required. Treatment should be under medical supervision of the patient.
Unwanted effects
Since this drug is toxic to parasites, it can affect the well-being of a person. The most commonly reported side effects of Decaris are:
- abdominal pain;
- dyspeptic symptoms (nausea, vomiting, diarrhea);
- headache and dizziness;
- temperature rise;
- insomnia;
- cramps
- tachycardia;
- skin rashes like hives.
- inflammation of the gums and oral cavity (rarely).
These unwanted symptoms do not occur in all patients. However, when prescribing the drug, it is necessary to take into account the likelihood of their occurrence.
How to take pills
Decaris tablets are taken with or after meals. It is advisable to use the drug in the evening. To expel parasites from the body, take 1 tablet (150 g). Diet and laxatives during treatment are not required. After the treatment, the patient takes an analysis of feces for worm eggs. If the results of the study show the presence of parasites, then the treatment is repeated in the same dosage.
With toxoplasmosis, take 1 tablet daily (150 g). The course of treatment lasts 3 days. Then you need to take a week break. After this, the therapy is repeated.
"Dekaris" children are prescribed in a dosage of 50 mg. The exact amount of the drug can only be calculated by a doctor. It is determined depending on the body weight of the child.
special instructions
This medicine acts on white blood cells. Therefore, before starting a course of treatment, it is necessary to conduct a general hematological examination. During therapy, another blood test is done to determine the number of white blood cells.
It is important to remember that the Dekaris preparation is categorically incompatible with ethanol. Alcohol intake should be stopped 24-48 hours before the start of therapy and continue to abstain from alcohol throughout the day after taking the medicine. Violation of this rule can lead to a diffsuram-like reaction, accompanied by facial flushing, tachycardia, shortness of breath and a sharp decrease in blood pressure.
Driving a car after taking Dekaris is not prohibited by the instructions for use. However, it should be borne in mind that some patients experience dizziness during the treatment period. In such cases, you cannot drive.
Interaction with other medicines
Instructions for use "Dekaris" does not recommend taking an anthelmintic with anticoagulants and the anticonvulsant drug Phenytoin. These drugs reinforce each other, which increases the risk of unwanted effects.
Also, "Dekaris" can not be taken with medicines containing lipophilic substances, and with medicines that reduce the number of leukocytes.
How to store pills
Dekaris tablets are recommended to be stored at a temperature not exceeding +25 degrees. They are suitable for use for 5 years. After this period, the drug should not be used. In order to avoid accidental poisoning of children, the medicine should be kept out of reach of them.
Price and analogues
The medicine "Dekaris" for worms is dispensed from pharmacies with a prescription. The use of this tool without the advice of a doctor is unacceptable. The drug is inexpensive, its price in pharmacies is from 60 to 90 rubles for 2 tablets.
The structural analogue of Decaris for the active substance is only the drug Levamisole. Its cost is 50-60 rubles (for 1 tablet).
You can choose anthelmintic drugs with a similar effect on parasites. These include the following medicines:
- Vermox;
- Pirantel
- "Biltricid";
- Nemozol
- "Piperazine".
Often patients are interested in the question: "Which of the Dekaris analogues is better?" It is important to remember that every anthelmintic drug affects certain types of parasites. Its effectiveness will depend on the purpose of the application.
Anthelmintic "Vermox" has a wider spectrum of action. It is able to destroy not only round, but also tape parasites. But unlike Dekaris, this drug does not stimulate the immune system. Sometimes these drugs are used simultaneously in the complex treatment of helminthiases. The price of Vermox in pharmacies is from 98 to 110 rubles.
The drug "Pirantel" also affects roundworms. But this remedy has fewer contraindications and side effects than Dekaris. This anthelmintic is preferable for children. Its price is from 20 to 60 rubles.
Means "Biltricid" has the widest spectrum of action. It is able to destroy not only roundworms, but also flukes, as well as tape parasites. Side effects are the same as those of Dekaris. The price of the medicine is 420-500 rubles (for 6 tablets).
Nemozole acts on round, tapeworm and flatworms. But this remedy requires a rather long intake, while Dekaris removes parasites after a single application. The cost of the drug is from 170 to 900 rubles, depending on the dosage.
"Piperazine" is the safest and cheapest anthelmintic. Its price is from 5 to 20 rubles. The drug can be taken even by pregnant women. But the spectrum of its action is rather narrow, this medicine destroys only roundworm and pinworms. Other parasites are insensitive to piperazine.
The opinion of doctors
Doctors believe that the Dekaris worm drug is fast and effective. Helminthologists and infectious disease specialists often prescribe this old proven tool in the treatment of parasitic diseases.
Experts note the convenience of this tool. To rid a person of parasites, a single pill is enough. Undesirable effects of the drug are minimal. According to doctors, the side effects of the drug are not comparable with the harm that helminths cause to the body.
Experts also note the reliability of the drug. A second course of treatment is rarely required, usually worms come out completely after a single application of Dekaris.
Positive patient reviews
You can find many positive reviews about the drug from patients. For people suffering from helminth infections, this tool helped to quickly get rid of parasites.
Patients note that they were able to remove helminths after the first pill. This was accompanied by minor side effects: dizziness, weakness, headache. However, people report that this medicine is better tolerated than other worm medicines. Already a day after taking the pill, your health returns to normal.
Some patients took this medication to prevent helminthiasis after contact with an affected family member or infected pet. This helped them avoid invasion.
People also report experiences using Dekaris as an immunomodulator. Patients took this drug for psoriasis and frequent colds. The medicine helped them strengthen the body's defenses. However, it must be remembered that today there are more effective and safer immunostimulants that do not have pronounced side effects.
Parents leave positive feedback on the treatment and prevention of childhood helminthiases using Dekaris. Kids often become infected with worms, as they drag contaminated objects and hands into their mouths. The use of this tool helped prevent helminthic infestation in children. After a course of treatment, helminths in the analysis in small patients were not detected.
Negative reviews
Negative reviews are mainly related to the side effects of Dekaris. Some patients had a febrile reaction after taking the drug. The temperature rose to high numbers (up to +39 degrees), a headache appeared and my health worsened sharply. Such unpleasant symptoms lasted for 1-3 days.
These manifestations are associated with the effects of the active component of the drug on parasites. After anthelmintic therapy, it is necessary to cleanse the body. For this purpose, enterosorbents should be taken: Polysorb or Enterosgel. It is also beneficial to consume more water. This will reduce the intoxication of the body and reduce unwanted effects.
In addition, some patients note a change in smell. At first, after taking the anthelmintic, patients felt odors that did not exist. However, this phenomenon does not require special treatment and disappears on its own in a few days.