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Pinworm Treatments

Get rid of these critters fast

If your child spends a restless night scratching near the anal or perineal area, immediately check for pinworms -- a common parasite in youngsters. One symptom in young girls is an itching around the vulva. Adults can also become afflicted, because pinworm eggs stick to clothing and sheets and can even float in the air. Fortunately, pinworms are one of the easiest parasites to get rid of. A one-time dose of an over-the-counter medication, pyrantel pamoate, can put a prompt end to pinworm problems more than 97% of the time. It paralyzes the parasites' muscles, causing the annoying critters to lose their grip on the intestine walls and get flushed out with the next bowel movement.

Know What You Are Taking

  • A single dose of pyrantel pamoate is usually all it takes to cure a pinworm problem.
  • If itching symptoms persist, do not take a second dose. Contact your doctor.
  • Avoid pinworm medication if you have liver disease.
  • Pregnant women should consult their physicians before taking the medication.
Know the Enemy

  • Pinworms can cause nausea and other gastrointestinal problems, but usually there are no symptoms at all.
  • The quarter- to half-inch-long parasites are the most common worm infestation in the United States.
  • Pinworms live four to six weeks, attaching themselves to the intestines until the female is prepared to lay her approximately 11,000 eggs in the surrounding tissues of the anus.
  • The worm eggs are visible to the naked eye, but a magnifying glass and flashlight can help you make a positive ID.
  • A piece of scotch tape attached briefly to the suspected area, then plucked off and placed under a microscope, can also verify if pinworms are present.
  • Examine the anal area of children an hour after they go to sleep. This is when pinworms emerge to lay their eggs.
Preventing Re-Infestation

  • Keep toilet seats and bathtubs clean with disinfectant.
  • Wash all bedding, towels, and underwear in hot water. The infected person's underwear should be laundered every day.
  • Trim and thoroughly clean fingernails.
  • Vacuum the floor around beds and curtains.
  • Hands should be washed frequently.
  • After using the toilet, wash hands thoroughly and avoid handling food right away. The fecal-oral route is a common means of infection.
  • Every member of a pinworm-infested household must take the same medication at approximately the same time to effectively destroy the parasite.

Antihelmintic agent

Pyrantel pamoate works by paralyzing the muscles of the pinworm so that it cannot remain attached to the intestinal wall. The worms are then pushed out of the intestinal tract and eliminated in the stool.

Antihelmintic Agent
Ingredient
Description
Pyrantel Pamoate?Pyrantel pamoate is the only nonprescription product available to treat pinworms. A single dose is effective in most cases. Consult a doctor if symptoms persist. There are few side effects (diarrhea, cramps, vomiting) and it is not toxic. Pregnant or nursing women, children under age 2, and people with liver disease should not take this drug.

Warnings

Pyrantel pamoate

Consult a physician before using or do not use if you have:
  • Allergy to pyrantel pomoate
  • Anemia
  • Inflammatory bowel disease
  • Liver impairment
Or if you:
  • Are pregnant or nursing
  • Are a senior; you may require a lower dosage
  • Are administering to a child under age 2
  • Are malnourished
Or if you are taking:
  • Theophylline (Theo-Dur): may increase theophylline levels and effect
Common Side Effects

Pyrantel pamoate
  • None anticipated
Infrequent to Rare Side Effects

  • Allergic skin rash
  • Diarrhea
  • Nausea
  • Stomach pain
  • Vomiting
Effects of Overdose

  • None anticipated
What to Do in Case of Overdose

  • It is unlikely that an overdose of this medication will cause life-threatening symptoms. If you are still concerned, please seek the advice of your health professional.

Websites, Organizations & Manufacturers
Sources & Further Reading

Books

1. Covington, TR et al. Handbook of Nonprescription Drugs, Eleventh Ed. American Pharmaceutical Assoc. Washington, DC 1996.
2. Kastrup EK et al. Drug Facts and Comparisons. Facts and Comparisons.
3. Inlander, CB and Slamans, S. The Over-the-Counter Doctor. Cader Books. New York, NY 1997.
4. Zimmerman, DR. Zimmerman's Complete Guide to Nonprescription Drugs, Second Ed. Gale Research, Inc. 1983.
Find more books on health and wellness at barnesandnoble.com.
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