There are many different means to combat helminths. Some are highly efficient, while others produce absolutely no result.
How to choose a good drug and not spend money on fakes? The answer is obvious: buy well-known products with a lot of positive reviews and their analogues.
Dekaris and its substitutes will be discussed in this article. In addition, we learn what parasitologists and buyers say about such drugs.
Pharmacological action of the drug "Dekaris"
The price of the drug is quite low, however, it has established itself as an excellent anthelmintic. Its main active substance is levamisole hydrochloride.
"Dekaris" (it is prescribed quite often from worms) causes a blockade of the nerve ganglia of the helminth, which causes the development of muscle paralysis. As a rule, affected parasites are excreted from the body within 24 hours after taking the pill.
What else do they say about Dekaris? Reviews of parasitologists and instructions for use contain information that the drug can be used for immunomodulation. This is due to the fact that it can enhance the functions of cells of the system of phagocytic mononuclear cells and T-lymphocytes.
Indications for use
As mentioned above, the drug can be used to combat helminths and as an immunomodulator. But is Dekaris so good? From worms, it helps not bad, but shows high efficiency only with ascariasis and hookworm infection.
As an immunomodulator, the drug is used for:
- infectious diseases (chronic active hepatitis B, warts, herpes zoster, inflammatory diseases of the upper respiratory tract, recurrent sinusitis, recurrent herpes simplex and so on);
- autoimmune diseases and immunodeficiency states (Reiter’s disease, Crohn’s disease , recurrent aphthous stomatitis, rheumatoid arthritis, and so on);
- the appearance of malignant neoplasms of the mammary gland, lungs or colon after chemotherapeutic, surgical or radiation treatment;
- leukemia and lymphogranulomatosis (in between chemotherapy courses during remission).
Contraindications
Tablets "Dekaris" are prohibited for use:
- children under 3 years old;
- women during lactation (or the question arises of completing breastfeeding);
- with agranulocytosis caused by drugs (history).
During pregnancy, the use of the drug is possible only in cases where the benefit to the expectant mother is significantly higher than the possible risk to the fetus.
With extreme caution, it is worthwhile to refer to the prescription of the drug in patients with hepatic or renal failure, as well as with inhibition of bone marrow hematopoiesis.
Drug use
Tablets "Dekaris" as an anthelmintic should be taken once immediately after or with food. The dose for an adult is 150 mg. For children, the required amount of the drug is calculated by the formula 2.5 mg per 1 kg of body weight.
If Dekaris is taken as an immunomodulator, the dose is 150 mg per day for three days, followed by a two-week break, or 150 mg per day once a week.
While taking the drug, alcohol is prohibited.
Overdose and side effects
With a significant excess of the dose of levamisole (from 600 mg), signs of intoxication of the body may be observed in the form of nausea, vomiting, seizures, drowsiness, headache, confusion, dizziness.
To get rid of the above symptoms, symptomatic therapy is performed. If a little time has passed after using the drug, gastric lavage is done. Perhaps the introduction of atropine with the appearance of signs of anticholinesterase action.
What side effects does Decaris have? Reviews of parasitologists indicate possible negative reactions of the body in the form of gastrointestinal disorders (abdominal pain, diarrhea, vomiting, nausea), allergic reactions (rash, urticaria) or immunopathological reactions (agranulocytosis, neurological disorders).
Analogues of the drug
Almost every drug has its own analogues. Dekaris was no exception in this regard. There are several more medicines with a similar composition, active substance or type of action.
So, what kind of drug can we have analogues? "Decaris" can be replaced by such means as "Pyrantel", "Vermox", "Fitoglistotsid" and others. However, some of them are also cheaper compared to the original.
Since we are talking about cost, it's time to find out how much Dekaris is worth. The price of the drug is within 77 rubles, but may vary depending on the pharmacy or region of residence.
"Pirantel"
The first analogue of the Dekaris, which is worth stopping at, is Pirantel. Price, reviews, indications and contraindications for use - these are the issues worth exploring a little more.
"Pirantel" - a means of Polish production. It differs in very low cost - about 28 rubles. So no other counterparts are cheap. Dekaris, recall, is almost three times more expensive.
The main active substance of the drug is pyrantel. It is used to get rid of ascariasis, enterobiosis and hookworm.
You need to take Pirantel tablets or syrup in the morning after eating. In this case, the required dose is calculated individually, depending on the patient’s body weight and the form of release of the drug.
Usually, the drug is easily tolerated by the body, but the manufacturer warns of possible side effects:
- from the central and peripheral nervous system - hallucinations, headache, dizziness, insomnia or drowsiness, confusion;
- from the gastrointestinal tract - nausea. vomiting, diarrhea, increased activity of hepatic transaminases, anorexia;
- allergic reactions - urticaria, itching;
- others - hyperthermia, hearing impairment.
Reviews about the tool are completely different. While some are very happy with its high efficiency and quick action, others, on the contrary, are indignant because of side effects and the lack of a positive result.
Vermox
Next, we present to your attention information about the drug "Vermox". The use, reviews and price of the product are the main issues requiring detailed consideration.
It is worth noting that the tool is more expensive when compared with the two previous options. The price of Vermox is in the range of 80-102 rubles.
However, it has a wide spectrum of action and is used for enterobiasis, ascariasis, strongyloidosis, capillariosis, trichinosis, teniosis, trichocephalosis, echinococcosis, multiple nematodes, alveococcosis, hookworm infection, gnatostomosis.
The main active substance of the drug is mebendazole.
The required dose and duration of treatment depends on the age of the patient (child or adult), as well as the type of disease.
Vermox can cause side effects such as dizziness, nausea, or vomiting. As a result of prolonged use of the drug, allergic reactions, headache, hypercreatininemia, hair loss, cylindruria, leukopenia, eosinophilia, increased liver transaminase activity may additionally appear.
An overdose of Vermoxum causes nausea, diarrhea, vomiting, and abdominal pain. If the drug was taken in excessive quantities for a long period, it can provoke the appearance of neuropenia, hepatitis or reversible liver dysfunctions.
Like any other remedy, Vermox has both positive and negative reviews. The former are usually associated with its effectiveness and a wide spectrum of action, while the latter speak of frequent manifestations of adverse reactions of the body.
"Phytoglistocide"
The tool differs from the above by its herbal composition, which effectively fights against helminths and contributes to their rapid elimination from the body. The preparation contains valerian, yarrow, tansy, thyme, cloves, turmeric, fennel, thyme, walnut, licorice, garlic.
"Phytoglistericide" is also used to treat diseases of the digestive system, in particular the intestines, gall bladder and bile ducts. It improves the functionality of the liver, and also has a desensitizing, antispasmodic, anti-inflammatory and soothing effect.
Dosage and duration of therapy should be prescribed by a doctor, taking into account the age of the patient and the characteristics of his body.
The use of "Fitoglistotsida" is contraindicated during pregnancy, lactation and children under 6 years.
Another characteristic difference of the drug is the absence of side effects after use. Cases of overdose have also not been established.