Effective anthelmintic drugs for humans appeared not so long ago. Just a few decades ago, for the treatment of parasitic infestations, plant-based compounds based on garlic, wormwood, tansy and other components with antiparasitic properties were used. But far from always the use of natural compounds turned out to be enough for a complete recovery. Today, modern anthelmintic drugs are often used for people with a wide spectrum of action.
Artificial and semisynthetic tablets have a more powerful effect, in comparison with their plant counterparts. They not only kill helminths, but also quickly remove toxic products of their vital activity from the body. In addition, most medicines are used to get rid of extra-intestinal infestations.
The main types of drugs for worms
Conventionally, anthelmintic drugs for humans can be divided according to several criteria. However, the most popular and correct is the typology of the types of parasites against which the medicine is used. All anthelmintic drugs for people with a wide spectrum of activity are divided into three groups:
- medicines against cestodosis;
- medications for trematodose;
- Means against nematodes.
Regardless of the active substance, the vast majority of antiparasitic drugs act as muscle relaxants of the depolarizing type. Anthelmintic drugs interfere with the processes of neuromuscular transmission of impulses in the body of the parasite, which ultimately leads to paralysis. Immobilized, but still alive worms leave the intestine during bowel movements along with feces. Thanks to this, it is possible to prevent intoxication of the body, which would inevitably occur during the decomposition of dead helminths.
Medicines do a good job with adults, while the effect of drugs does not apply to larvae and eggs of worms. They remain almost safe and sound, so patients are prescribed a second course of anthelmintic drugs a couple of weeks after the first.
Anti-cestic drugs
Cestodes are flat tapeworms that settle in the intestines of cattle. Their larvae are transmitted to a person who prefers to consume thermally untreated meat. Anti-cestodic drugs disrupt the life cycle of parasites. It is worth noting their double effect: first, the active substances paralyze the helminths, after which the worm becomes defenseless against the effects of digestive system enzymes. Under the influence of anthelmintic drugs for humans, worms separate from the intestinal walls to which they attach, and then are digested with food.
Patients who undergo anthelmintic therapy on their own sometimes make a serious mistake - take a laxative, which leads to increased peristalsis and, as a result, damage to the body of the parasite. If the head of the tapeworm is torn off the body, it can only be removed surgically.
Anti-trematode therapy
Coping with flukes is not easy, even with the appropriate medications. The thing is that these drugs can be used only by adults and only in the absence of contraindications. The drugs are highly toxic, so in some cases their use is fraught with the development of serious side effects. In patients taking anti-trematode drugs, the liver enlarges, the heart rate goes astray, sternum pain is not excluded. Especially careful to use such drugs should be suitable for allergy sufferers, as individual intolerance to the drug can lead to angioedema or anaphylactic shock.
In case of the appearance of the described symptoms, it is urgent to seek medical help. Experts will assess the risk of taking the drugs and the advisability of using the medicine in the future. Anti-trematode anthelmintic drugs for people can not be prescribed to pregnant and lactating mothers, patients with heart disease, liver.
Nematodosis Treatment
Helminthiasis, which is characterized by the presence of roundworms in the intestines, as a rule, does not lead to complications. The therapeutic program of this infectious disease itself is considered the simplest. The use of anti-nematode drugs only in exceptional cases is accompanied by undesirable reactions, as they are characterized by relatively low toxicity and a high level of effectiveness.
A pronounced clinical picture, indicating infection with worms, allows the doctor to timely draw conclusions about the stage of the disease and refer the patient to undergo diagnostic procedures. As soon as the results of the analyzes become known about what kind of worms the patient’s body is affected by, the specialist will be able to prescribe a broad-spectrum anthelmintic drug. For people, they most often use means, which can be further described in more detail.
Pirantel
The drug is available in tablets and suspensions. Despite the low concentration of toxic substances, Pirantel is very effective. With confirmed enterobiosis (the causative agent is pinworm) and ascariasis, you only need to drink the drug once. The dosage is calculated by the attending physician, adhering to the formula 10 mg of the same active substance per 1 kg of body weight. With other types of helminthic invasion, a longer use is required (on average 2-3 days).
It is undesirable for pregnant women to take Pirantel, and the use of this drug is not excluded if the benefit to the mother outweighs the potential risk to the unborn baby. Side effects, judging by the reviews of the anthelmintic drug, people develop extremely rarely. The cause of the appearance of nausea, vomiting, other dyspeptic disorders, headache may be a dosage failure with a prolonged course of treatment. The advantages of Pirantel include its price - in the pharmacies of our country, the packaging of this drug costs no more than 100 rubles.
Helminthox
This broad-spectrum anthelmintic drug for people is available, like the previous one, in tablet form, where each pill contains 125 or 250 mg of pyrantel. Helminthox is an analogue of the above agent and is used for the same types of helminthiasis. Due to the milder effect of the drug, it is most often prescribed for prevention in people. The anthelmintic drug does not cause poisoning of the body, therefore, if parasites are found in at least one of the family members, it is recommended that other households drink the Helminthox course, regardless of age and gender.
Contraindications to the use of the drug are similar to those that are present in Pirantel. It is also important to know that this tool contains allergenic auxiliary components (for example, sorbitol, ascorbic acid, povidone, polysorbate). In case of individual intolerance to these substances, the helminthox therapy should be discontinued.
Dekaris
This medicine is considered one of the best anthelmintic drugs for humans. The main substance is levamisole. The medication is taken once, it is allowed for both adults and children over three years of age, it is produced, respectively, in different dosages: for babies (50 mg in one tablet) and for patients over 14 years old (150 mg of levamisole per pill). Indications for use of "Dekaris":
- hookworm;
- necarotosis;
- ascariasis;
- enterobiosis.
The principle of action of this drug is fundamentally different from the previous remedy. Dekaris not only paralyzes worms, but also interferes with their metabolic processes. The helminthicidal property of the drug ensures the death of worms directly in the intestinal tract. Dead parasites are excreted naturally.
A full course of deworming takes about 24 hours. Levomizole does not accumulate in the tissues, leaves the body almost completely with urine and feces for the next 6-8 hours after absorption in the blood.
With caution, this anthelmintic drug should be recommended for a person suffering from renal or hepatic insufficiency. In addition, a direct ban on the use of Dekaris is the presence of a history of blood and blood-forming diseases, gestation, lactation, early childhood and allergies. The cost of "Dekaris" varies between 80-90 rubles. for packing.
Albendazole and Mebendazole
The active substance actively inhibits the growth of the polymerization of tubulin toxin, released as a parasite vital product. In simple words, albendazole blocks the absorption of nutrients, which leads to the death of parasites. This anthelmintic drug is good for both people and animals (used in veterinary medicine).
The analogue of "Albendazole" is the medicine "Mebendazole", which is similar both in principle of action and in price. Both drugs have a wide spectrum of action, are used to treat single and multiple invasions of roundworms, cestodes, and trematodes. The drugs are available in shock 400-milligram dosage. Means are found not only in tablet form, but also in the form of syrup. During pregnancy, with pathologies of the organs of vision, hematogenous diseases, the drug is not taken. Compared with previous worm medicines, it has a higher price - it is sold in pharmacies with a prescription for 200-250 rubles.
"Fed"
Anthelmintic preparations for a person with albendazole in the composition have a wide spectrum of action. "Fed" is no exception. This tool can be used for any intestinal and extraintestinal helminthic invasions, as well as for preventive purposes. The product is in the form of fruit-flavored chewable tablets. The duration of the course of therapy with Vormil in severe cases can reach 30 days.
Vermox
It is an analogue of Mebendazole. The drug has similar indications and contraindications. At the same time, experts consider this tool a safer option, which is explained by a lower dosage of mebendazole in one tablet. "Vermox" is tolerated without complications, but you can not take this drug with "Metronidazole", "Ritonavir", "Carbomazepine", "Phenytoin". The cost of an antiparasitic in Moscow barely reaches 150 rubles.
Suspensions and drops
Judging by the comments of patients, most often people are saved from helminthiasis by pills. In adulthood, helminthic infestations can be treated with a variety of drugs, but what if the parasites wound up in a child? Worm pills are usually large in size, and therefore it is difficult for children to swallow them. A number of anthelmintic agents are available in the form of syrups and drops. They are suitable, according to reviews about anthelmintic drugs, and for a person in adulthood, and not just for babies.
A suspension is a liquid mass in which a suspension of small drug particles is present. This dosage form is in no way inferior to the tablet one according to the results, but in terms of ease of use, on the contrary, it is superior. Given that suspensions from parasites are available for the treatment of children, the concentration of the active substance in the liquid preparation is underestimated. At the same time, anthelmintic syrups may well be used by adult patients. You can take the suspension at any age, but in order for the medicine to produce the expected effect, you should increase the amount of medicine taken in accordance with the dosage. In the form of syrup, Pyrantel, Helminthox, Nemozol, Gelmadol, Albendazole are produced.
Drugs in drops are diluted with water before administration. This form is convenient for people who have difficulty swallowing. Anthelmintic drops are prescribed for children, elderly patients. At the same time, most of the drop worm remedies do not belong to the category of medicines, but are bioactive food additives.
Supplements from worms: do they help
According to doctors, anthelmintic drugs for a person in droplet form are most often ineffective. All of them have a plant base, therefore they are not able to provide the proper toxic effect, which is so necessary for combating parasites. Advertised natural remedies do not have any contraindications and do not cause adverse reactions, since they have a low concentration of active components.
By the way, the composition of dietary supplements in many ways resembles folk remedies for parasites, because they contain tansy, wormwood, walnuts, and meadowsweet. These include "Baktefort", Intoxic, "Anti-worm forte." These are dietary supplements with a dubious reputation and conflicting patient reviews. It would be wrong to call them anthelmintic drugs for humans, since plant compounds are not able to get rid of worms.
In addition, it should be remembered that such drugs are not tested in laboratories and do not pass full clinical trials, unlike pharmacy medicines. Therefore, taking them to treat helminthiasis is impractical. They are effective at best in the prevention of invasion.
What anthelmintic drugs for a person are suitable for pregnant women
None of the antiparasitic products for adults available in pharmacies are used in the first trimester of pregnancy. The risks of toxic and teratogenic effects on the unborn baby are too great. From the fourth month of pregnancy, therapy with low toxic anthelmintic drugs is allowed. In case of infection, future and nursing mothers are prescribed piperazine.
The spectrum of action of this drug is limited (it helps only with enterobiosis and ascariasis), therefore it is advised to supplement therapy with natural anthelmintic agents. Pregnant women, for example, are advised to eat raw and chopped pumpkin seeds. It is undesirable to fry or boil them - the seeds will lose their healing properties.
But wormwood or tansy, which has long been used in the fight against parasites, can not be used. These herbs are ways to provoke uterine tone and the threat of abortion.
Medicines are prohibited!
Contraindications to drug therapy vary depending on the specific drug. Among the above-described, the greatest number of restrictions in use is Mebendazole and its analogues. They can not be used by patients with diseases such as:
- heart failure;
- Crohn's disease;
- gastric or duodenal ulcer;
- nonspecific ulcerative colitis;
- liver or kidney failure;
- cholelithiasis;
- moderate anemia, leukopenia;
- retinal lesions.
The remaining anthelmintic, including natural compositions based on tansy and wormwood, is not recommended for use during pregnancy, breastfeeding. Any tablets and suspensions from worms are prescribed with caution to children under two years of age. An allergy to any of the components of the drug is an absolute contraindication to its further use.
Drug prophylaxis
In order to prevent helminthiasis, in most cases it is enough to observe basic hygiene rules and the use of non-specific methods. In order not to become infected with parasites, you must:
- wash hands thoroughly with soap before eating, after eating, staying in public places and using the toilet;
- eat meat and fish products only if they have passed the necessary heat treatment;
- drink only boiled water;
- include raw onions, garlic, red pepper in the diet.
The use of drugs to prevent helminthiasis is considered a specific method of prevention. Periodic course use of medications is the most effective way to protect against parasites, but drug prevention is not approved by most parasitologists. All anthelmintic drugs that are available in the pharmacy assortment are more or less toxic and unsafe for humans. Their use without justifiable risk, that is, the absence of direct evidence, is unreasonable.
It is undesirable to use tansy as a preventive measure. This plant also contains toxic compounds that, if not properly dosed, can harm the liver and kidneys.