Helminths, or, as they are also called by the people, worms, have long been a scourge for humans and animals. Their parasitic activity in our body can cause various diseases - ascariasis, enterobiasis, hookworm infection, necatorosis. For their treatment, you can use a drug such as Pirantel, the instructions for use of which will be discussed in this article.
Operating principle
"Pyrantel" refers to anthelmintic drugs. It destroys worms and parasitic worms in the human body. The components of the drug act on worms and worms at an early stage of development, affect their muscular system and block the ability to move. This mode of action is called neuromuscular blockade. Under the influence of the drug, parasites are excreted from the body naturally through the gastrointestinal tract.
Indications and method of use
As mentioned above, the drug is used for diseases such as ascariasis, enterobiasis, hookworm infection, and necatorosis. Each of them has its own consequences for our body - with hookworm infection, for example, the number of red blood cells in the blood may decrease. In the treatment of enterobiasis, "Pirantel" should be taken by the whole family.
For the drug "Pirantel" instructions for use sets the following dosage. The medicine is recommended to be taken with or after meals. Before swallowing the tablets, they must be chewed thoroughly, and then washed down with water. Children from 6 months to 2 years old should be given no more than 125 mg (half a tablet), from 2 to 6 years old - a whole tablet, and for those who are from 6 to 12 years old, a dosage of two tablets or 500 mg is needed.
For children over 12 years old and adults with a body weight of not more than 75 kg, it is recommended to take 750 mg or three tablets of the Pirantel preparation. The method of use in case of ascariasis, enterobiosis, or in the case of mixed infection with roundworms and pinworms is as follows: the dosage is calculated based on the ratio of 10 mg per 1 kg of human weight. The medicine is taken once. In the case of ankylostomidosis, the dosage should be calculated exactly the same, but the drug should be taken within three days. In case of necatorosis for the drug "Pyrantel", the instructions for use also establish such a dosage as 20 mg per 1 kg of weight and duration of administration for two days. Also, with ascariasis, you can use a dosage of 5 mg per 1 kg of weight and take the drug once. To avoid re-infection, the drug is recommended again three weeks after the very first dose.
Side effects
Side effects when taking Pyrantel are usually caused by the fact that the patient’s body does not tolerate the individual components that make up the drug. The central nervous system in such cases responds to headaches and dizziness, drowsiness or insomnia, weakness. From the gastrointestinal tract, anorexia, nausea, vomiting, pain and abdominal cramps, diarrhea may occur. Typically, these effects disappear soon after you stop taking Pirantel.
Contraindications
For the drug "Pirantel" instructions for use establish a number of contraindications. First of all, it is not recommended for those who have hypersensitivity to the components of the drug, as well as people with impaired liver function. Hypersensitivity may also occur during pregnancy and lactation. In general, during pregnancy, it is recommended to be careful about taking the drug "Pirantel". How to take it in these cases, and what dosage is best used during breastfeeding, only a doctor should determine. Usually this drug during pregnancy and breastfeeding is taken only in case of emergency. Also, in no case should the drug be mixed with Piperazine.