In the article brought to your attention, we propose to talk about the drug "Pirantel" for children. To begin with, this drug is quite popular and is quite inexpensive. It is used in order to get rid of helminths.
Like other drugs that can be purchased at the pharmacy, Pirantel has its drawbacks and advantages. We will pay attention to these important factors. In addition, in the article it will be possible to find a lot of other useful information: reviews, interactions with other drugs, analogues, and so on.
Release Forms
It is important to know that there are only two forms of release of this anthelmintic. Namely:
- Suspension. It is a homogeneous liquid with a caramel flavor. "Pyrantel" in the form of a suspension is suitable for children from six months. Given the fact that the suspension is made immediately by three pharmacological companies (Poland, India and Russia), you can find vials of 5, 10, 15 and 25 milliliters.
- Tablets. Pirantel can also be given to children in this form, given age restrictions (from six years old). Each tablet contains 250 milligrams of the active substance, and in the box you can find only 3 pieces. This amount is enough for a full course of treatment.
Structure
"Pirantel" for children is often given in the form of a suspension, since it tastes sweet and is easily swallowed even by the smallest little ones. The active substance, both in tablets and in suspension, is pyrantel. The following components are also part of the syrup:
- water;
- sucrose;
- flavoring;
- polysorbate;
- glycerol and so on.
These additional inactive substances are necessary, since they play the role of important functions:
- make the medicine sweet;
- support it in a liquid state;
- allow a long time not to spoil.
Shake the bottle with liquid before use, as precipitation is possible.
How does the drug work?
How does the drug "Pirantel"? Instructions for use for children say that the drug can only fight with adult helminths. That is why, "Pirantel" is used to remove adult worms from the digestive tract.
The substance of pyrantel can cause blockade of nerves and muscles of helminths, remove them naturally from the intestine. Only the parasite larvae cannot be affected by this drug. The fact is that the active substance is not able to be absorbed into the blood, and the larvae migrate precisely in the tissues filled with it.
The medicine is excreted through the intestines, a small amount may enter the kidneys.
Indications for use
When is it necessary to use the Pirantel suspension for children? These include the following diseases:
- ascariasis (symptoms: lethargy, loss of appetite, a slight increase in body temperature, cough, nausea, and so on);
- enterobiosis (a fairly common problem in childhood, symptoms: itching in the anus and indigestion);
- hookworm (symptoms: rash, bloating, nausea, change in stool, fever and so on);
- necatorosis (symptoms: dyspepsia, allergic reaction, anemia).
This drug is used not only for treatment, but also for the prevention of diseases. It should be used if one of the family members has parasites.
Contraindications
In what cases should I refuse to take the Pirantel suspension for children? In fact, there are not so many restrictions. But if you observe at least one of the points in your child, then you should think about another treatment method. So, the remedy is contraindicated for persons with the following problems:
- intolerance to any component;
- myasthenia gravis;
- liver failure (this is due to the fact that it is in the liver cells that the metabolic changes of the absorbed drug take place);
- age up to 6 months;
- simultaneous administration of several anthelmintic agents.
The manufacturer does not note other contraindications. However, if the child has any disease, then the possibility of taking the drug should always be discussed with the attending physician.
If the recommendations specified in the instructions are not followed, the risk of complications or side effects increases many times. And this is very dangerous for small children.
Age
As already mentioned, two forms of the drug are distinguished in total. But at what age can you give it to a child? We propose to talk about this in this section.
Up to six months, it is strictly forbidden to give the child Pirantel medicine. The child is one year old, but can he swallow the pill alone? This is not a reason to poison the baby! Follow strictly according to the instructions.
Suspension is allowed for children from six months, and tablets from six years.
What are the benefits of this drug?
In the instruction of "Pirantel" for children there is not a single word about the benefits of this drug. But we will open to you this side of the drug. Indeed, “Pirantel” has a lot of positive qualities, below you will find a whole list.
- Effects on the most common types of parasites (which are most common in childhood).
- The drug is low toxic. In addition, the suspension has the following advantage - the effect on the digestive tract is not as aggressive as that of tablets.
- The suspension has a sweet taste, which makes it possible to give her drink even a baby.
- Good tolerance. This is due to the fact that the drug acts exclusively on helminths, and leaves the body naturally with feces.
- The drug does not provoke intoxication of the body as a result of decomposition, since pyrantel does not kill roundworms.
- The drug has an affordable price.
Feasible side effects
We will talk about the side effects of Pirantel for children right now. Deworming with this drug can cause a number of complications, including:
- nausea;
- vomiting
- gastralgia;
- rapid bowel movement;
- increased activity of liver enzymes in the blood test of the child;
- weakness;
- cephalgia;
- confusion of consciousness;
- Dizziness
- sleep disturbance;
- hearing impairment;
- hallucination;
- paresthesia;
- temperature rise;
- rashes and so on.
Particular attention should be paid to the fact that more often undesirable effects occur with the digestive organs. Identification of disorders of the nervous system is recorded very little.
Overdose
The Pirantel suspension instructions for children say that until today not a single case of overdose with this drug has been recorded.
However, if the child has significantly exceeded the dosage of the drug, it is worthwhile to wash the stomach. It is urgent to induce vomiting. In case the baby has ailments, it is worth calling an ambulance.
Once again, we remind you that the drug is not toxic. The likelihood of an unwanted result increases only in two cases:
- use of medication in case of contraindication;
- significant excess dosage.
Compliance with the dosage and dosage regimen is the golden rule of successfully getting rid of helminths. "Pyrantel" is not dangerous in itself, but after administration, the effect of intoxication may occur, which is associated with the mass death of parasites.
Dosage
What is said about the dosage in the instructions for use of the Pirantel suspension for children? Immediately, we note that the parasitologist must himself calculate the necessary dose for the child. This is due to the fact that when calculating an individual dose, the following indicators are taken into account:
- age;
- body mass;
- diagnosis;
- degree of damage.
Of course, instructions and an approximate dosage will be included in the box with the drug, but, nevertheless, it is worth contacting a specialist. This is also necessary in order to monitor the work of some organs of your child.
As for the number of applications, everything is also individual here. The drug is used once a day before meals. Depending on the diagnosis, it will be necessary to drink the medicine 1, 2 or 3 times. Together with "Pirantel" there is no need to use any laxative drugs.
The course of treatment must be repeated after two weeks. What for? As mentioned earlier, the medicine cannot affect immature individuals, and after two weeks the larvae become available for the Pirantel.
Prevention
The use of "Pyrantel" for children is also possible with a preventive purpose. This is necessary in the following cases:
- when the child comes in contact with an infected family member;
- those who were in any wild environment (forest, river, and so on);
- children in close contact with animals;
- kids attending kindergartens;
- children, often playing in the sandbox (since it often comes into contact with the soil).
Before using the drug for this purpose, it is necessary to consult a specialist. Some doctors recommend the prevention of parasite infections once every six months, while others are generally against these measures. The second group believes that following the simplest rules of personal hygiene helps to protect the child from these problems.
Interaction
The drug "Pyrantel" for children should not be given together with enterosorbents, as this leads to a decrease in the effectiveness of the antihistamine.
In addition, while taking this medication, it is not recommended to use piperazine, which is associated with the effect of the latter (more specifically, the antagonistic effect).
As mentioned earlier, Pirantel cannot affect eggs or larvae of parasites, but there are many drugs that can expel them. The latter have a different mechanism of action, are more toxic and can cause a lot of side effects. So, such funds should not be used simultaneously with Pirantel.
Cost and terms of sale
Suspension for the child "Pirantel" is sold exclusively by prescription. Although this is a harmless medicine, you will have to visit a pediatrician before buying it. The doctor must refer the baby to a parasitologist or gastroenterologist.
It is not worth it to independently treat the child, the individual dosage and treatment regimen should be calculated by an experienced specialist.
As for the cost, the suspension (15 milliliters) can be purchased for an amount from 30 to 70 rubles. Why is there such a big price difference? It all depends on the manufacturer, the amount of medicine in the bottle and the pharmacy.
How to store the medicine?
What are the storage recommendations for Pyrantel instructions for children? It's simple, the storage location should choose the following:
- temperature from 15 ° C to 25 ° C;
- dry;
- no direct sunlight;
- no access to children.
Given these recommendations, the suspension will be suitable for use 3 years from the date of manufacture. The date can be clarified on the packaging for the drug. In no case should you give an expired medicine to a child. After the expiration date, it is worth getting rid of "Pirantel".
Customer reviews
After examining the available reviews of mothers and doctors, we can conclude that the treatment of helminthiasis in children with this drug is effective. In addition, "Pirantel" is worth a mere penny! And this is a clear plus.
If you believe the words of women who leave reviews about the treatment of their children with this medicine, then Pirantel helped to quickly get rid of parasites, instantly eliminating many symptoms of infection with worms (these include: abdominal pain, weakness, skin rash, nausea, vomiting, etc. ) Also, buyers noted the following advantages:
- liquid form;
- ease of dosage of the drug;
- to the delight of parents and the regimen (since in most cases the drug should be taken once).
In addition to the advantages, reviews have a negative side:
- often after taking the baby the temperature rises;
- nausea is possible, more often - headache;
- the taste of the suspension is unpleasant for some children.
What are the analogues?
Like other medicines, Pirantel has analogues. We will talk about them briefly in this section of the article. They have a similar principle of exposure to parasites and the human body.
- "Helminthox" (the active substance is pyrantel). It also has two forms of release (syrup and tablets). We note right away that the effect and side effects are absolutely identical to Pirantel, but the cost is already slightly different due to the manufacturer. The price of tablets is approximately 80 rubles, and the suspension is 140.
- The Indian drug Nemocide also basically has the active substance pyrantel. The only difference is a more reasonable price. Tablets about 30 rubles, suspension - 50 p.
- A Belgian pyrant-based drug is called Combantrine. The principle of operation is exactly the same, only the price will be much higher: tablets - 90 rubles, suspension - 170 p.
As you can see, the active substance in these drugs is the same, the principle of action is the same for everyone, the differences are only in the manufacturer and price.