"Pyrantel" is an antiparasitic drug that has been widely used in medical practice for many years. Effective against ascariasis, enterobiasis, helminthic invasions, hookworm infection, etc. Instructions for use with Pirantel tablets for adults indicate that the drug can be taken not only for treatment, but also for prevention. This method of prior therapy is prescribed by many gastroenterologists, endocrinologists and therapists. How to take "Pyrantel" to an adult for the prevention of helminthic invasions is described in the article.
Composition and form of the drug, pharmacological action
The drug is available in the form of a suspension and tablets. The first is often used to treat parasitic infestations of children, and tablets for adults. The drug belongs to the pharmacological class of anthelmintic drugs.
The drug is dispensed in pharmacies only if there is a doctor’s prescription, as it has many contraindications for use and there is a high possibility of developing side effects while taking even minimal therapeutic doses. The cost of one package of the drug, in which 3 or 6 tablets, varies from one hundred to three hundred rubles, depending on the manufacturer and the extra charge of the pharmacy chain.
How do Pirantel tablets work for the prevention of worms? The main active component of the drug - pyrantel - provokes neuromuscular blockade of parasites. As a result, their bodies are excreted from the gastrointestinal tract along with feces. Taking tablets facilitates the elimination of helminths without excitation and stimulation of the migration of affected worms. It acts on parasites in the early phase of development and on their mature forms, does not affect larvae during their migration in tissues. In this case, the larvae that pass through the tissue are not affected. Partially, the drug is absorbed in the liver, partially metabolized in the intestine, and a small proportion in the kidneys.
Is it possible to drink Pirantel for the prevention of parasitic infestations for children? Yes, parasitologists prescribe this drug for babies from 6 months, but not only as a preventive measure, but when a real fact of infection is detected. It is extremely undesirable for a child to give the drug on his own, as he has a rather impressive list of possible side effects.
Indications for use of the drug
Instructions for the use of Pirantel tablets for adults recommends admission in the following cases:
- Ascaridosis - treatment and prevention of infection with parasites, which belong to the class of roundworms. Roundworms live only in the human body, animals from this invasion, as a rule, do not suffer. Roundworms enter the human body, as a rule, already in a mature state along with vegetables and fruits, on which particles of the earth remain.
- Trichocephalosis - damage to the gastrointestinal tract with a special type of parasite - nematodes, accompanied by symptoms similar to chronic pancreatitis, IBS and other serious pathologies.
- Hookworm infection is a worm infection that leads to cobalamin and iron deficiency anemia, as parasites “feed” on substances that the carrier’s organism eventually lacks.
- Necatorosis is an infection, the occurrence of which is achieved by multiplying roundworms that can enter the body if a person does not wash his hands after working in the ground, communicating with pets, traveling by public transport, etc.
- Enterobiosis is a parasitic infestation that is characteristic of pinworm infection.
The exact type of parasitic infestation can be detected after examination. Reviews of parasitologists about Pirantel are positive: the drug not only allows you to get clean tests after a short course of treatment, but also allows a person to independently carry out preventive measures. Some people, according to parasitologists, are at particular risk for possible infection with enterobiosis, necatorosis, ascariasis, and trichocephalosis. How to take "Pirantel" for prophylaxis for an adult in this case? The dosage schedule is described below. In some cases, the parasitologist can correct it depending on the condition of the patient, his weight, gender, age and the presence of some chronic diseases of the internal organs.
Contraindications to the use of the drug
Instructions for use with the drug (both in tablet and liquid form) reports that there are the following contraindications for use:
- special sensitivity to pyrantel;
- chronic renal failure;
- chronic liver diseases (reception is possible after consultation with a hepatologist);
- children's age up to 6 months.
If the patient has a history of chronic pancreatitis, peptic ulcer, gastritis, you should inform your doctor who writes a prescription for Pirantel. Prevention of worms in the presence of serious chronic diseases is most often impractical, since remission should be achieved first of all for the underlying disease and only then make sure with accuracy whether worms are present in the body. Otherwise, you can aggravate the use of "Pirantel" for chronic diseases of the internal organs.
Possible side effects of taking
The instruction for use reports that when taking Pirantel, the following side effects may develop:
- from the side of the central nervous system: drowsiness, weakness, decreased working capacity, sedation, nausea of a neurogenic nature;
- on the part of the skin: skin itching, hyperemia, urticaria;
- from the hepatobiliary system: an increase in the level of indicators - liver enzymes;
- other side effects: feeling of depression, weakness, nausea, vomiting, food takes on an unpleasant taste.
This action is possible after taking the first pill. Some patients in their reviews note that they do not experience any of the above side effects - this result also quite holds. Parasitologists note that if the dosage of Pirantel for prophylaxis was correctly selected (based on gender, age, weight and individual characteristics of human health), then the possibility of developing side effects tends to zero.
The more helminths (parasites) were paralyzed, the brighter the side effects will be and the worse the person will feel - this theory is promoted by some parasitologists, however, the scientific connection between the severity of side effects and the number of parasites paralyzed in the body of the carrier has not been scientifically proven.
Drug Interactions with Other Drugs
Before you start taking the drug, you should familiarize yourself with the information on the drug interaction with other drugs.
Drugs that contain levamisole should not be used concurrently with drugs that include pyrantel.
When taken with sedative medications, as well as with alcoholic beverages, a significantly more pronounced effect is possible - the patient experiences severe drowsiness, up to the development of a short-term sedative coma (very deep sleep, during which vomiting can begin, a person will not wake up and death can occur from mechanical blockage of the respiratory tract).
Do not use tablets and suspension simultaneously with piperazine, since this drug is an anthelmintic effect antagonist. With this combination, a person can experience the whole "gamut" of side effects, but the therapeutic and prophylactic result of taking pills or suspension will be practically zero.
Comparison of Pirantel and Dekaris
Dekaris is another very popular anthelmintic drug. This tool in the form of tablets is also very often prescribed by parasitologists to their patient after infection is detected, and also as a means of prevention. Often, patients after a course of treatment themselves, without a prescription from a doctor. acquire such drugs and drink as a remedy for a relapse of infection.
"Decaris" or "Pirantel" - which is better for the prevention of infection with helminth infections? Both the first and second drugs are effective in combating hookworms, pinworms, or roundworms. They are also approximately equal in cost, but Dekaris costs about 20-40 rubles cheaper (the price varies depending on the place of purchase). In almost any pharmacy, pharmacists dispense both the first and second drug without a prescription (despite the fact that the packaging indicates that the drugs are prescription). So the responsibility for the independent choice of the drug and the development of possible side effects lies entirely on the shoulders of a person who risked taking anthelmintic drugs on his own.
If the parasitologist puts the patient before the choice of which drug to choose from, then you should rely on the experience of the doctor. The effectiveness of both Dekaris, and tablets, and Pirantel suspensions for the prevention of parasitic infestations are approximately the same.
Causes of the development of parasitic infestations
In order to prevent recurrence of infection, to take medications for prevention as little as possible, you must follow simple rules that will prevent the occurrence of the causes of infection:
- After working in the garden, wash your hands thoroughly with soap and do not go into the house in shoes from the garden - the rest of the earth can settle on the floor, on the rug, resulting in the human body.
- Boil any meat thoroughly in several waters, refuse to use delicacies from raw fish and meat.
- If there are pets in the house - once a month give them anthelmintic drugs, and after they walk outside, wash them with a special antiparasitic shampoo.
- Vegetables and fruits (it doesn’t matter, from one’s own garden or from a store shelf) should be thoroughly washed with soap and a special product for such purposes before meals.
The effectiveness of "Pirantel" for the prevention of parasitic infestations
Parasitologists confirm the effectiveness of the drug not only directly at the time of infection, but also for the prevention (prevention) of relapse. How to take "Pirantel" for prevention for adults? Of course, for the most safe use, you should consult your doctor.
However, in some cases, the patient for some reason cannot get an appointment, and then you can use the information on dosages of Pyrantel for prophylaxis, which is presented in the instructions for use. If the patient purchases the drug without a prescription from a doctor, then he must carefully study the list of contraindications and possible side effects and be prepared for their development.
Recommended Dosage and Administration
How to take "Pirantel" for prevention for adults? Children are usually prescribed a suspension. Adults are almost always prescribed a drug in the form of release - tablets. Do not chew them, it is better to swallow them as quickly as possible and drink with a small amount of clean water.
Take medicine for preventive purposes should be all different, based on age and body weight:
- at the age of 2-6 years, 250 mg of the drug is shown at one time per day, the duration of treatment is two to three days);
- at the age of 6-12 years - 500 mg;
- patients with body weight up to 75 kg - 750 mg (total duration of treatment - two to three days);
- adults weighing more than 75 kg - 1000 mg.
Reviews of parasitologists about Pirantel as a prophylactic
Reviews of doctors who prescribe a prescription for the drug are positive. Compared to analogues (Vermox and others), Pyrantel rarely causes significant side effects - this is the main plus of the drug. In addition, its cost is also very budgetary - a medicine affordable for anyone. The presence of a suspension makes it convenient to take the drug for small patients.
Experts emphasize that the storage conditions of the drug are important: if you allow the suspension to freeze, or, conversely, leave it in the sun, then the drug activity will decrease.
Patient reviews on the effect of the drug and on side effects
But many patients are not so optimistic about this medicine. They note that side effects are very pronounced: after the first day of eating, the taste of food becomes unpleasant, there is a strong weakness, nausea, and working capacity decreases.
But at the same time, many patients were satisfied with the action of Pirantel: repeated analysis showed a complete absence of parasites, while people did not feel any side effects and, on the whole, the course of treatment went smoothly and successfully. Many people ask the question - how long does Pirantel work? The therapeutic effect develops, as a rule, already after a few hours from the moment of taking the first tablet or the first dose of the suspension. In this case, side effects may begin to be felt - a person wants to sleep, feels a slight nausea and an unpleasant aftertaste in his mouth.