Is your little one having trouble sleeping at night? Does he constantly scratch his backside? Or do you feel this discomfort yourself? At times like these, a doctor may suspect a worm infection, especially a pinworm infection, and prescribe you a medicine called Pyrantel. So today, let's talk about what this medicine is, how to use it, and what things to be careful about.
Simply put, what is this Pyrantel?
Pyrantel is a medicine that works against parasites, that is, an antiparasitic drug . It is mainly used to treat worms that occur in our intestines. Especially the pinworms that you have heard of. Doctors also prescribe this medicine for some other parasitic infections.
This medicine does a very simple thing. It paralyzes the worms in our body. Then they can't stay in the intestines. Then when we defecate, those worms can easily leave the body.
Things to tell your doctor before using this medicine
Before giving this medicine to your doctor, it is very important to give a complete description of your health condition. Be sure to mention the following points in particular:
- If you have liver disease .
- If you have an allergic reaction to the medicine Pyrantel, any other medicine, food, food dyes, or preservatives.
- If you are pregnant, trying to get pregnant, or breastfeeding .
Providing this information to your doctor will greatly help him treat you more safely and accurately.
The correct way to use the medicine
This is usually given to you as an oral suspension, so follow these instructions exactly.
- Shake well: Before using the medicine, you should shake the bottle well , as particles of the medicine may settle to the bottom of the bottle.
- How to take: This medicine can be taken on an empty stomach, with food, or with milk or a fruit drink before meals. Ask your doctor to confirm this.
- Correct measurement: Use a specially marked spoon or dropper to measure the amount of medicine. Do not measure with household teaspoons or tablespoons. They cannot measure the exact amount, so the dosage may vary.
- When giving to children: If you are giving this medicine to a child, especially a child under 2 years of age , you should definitely consult your pediatrician .
- If you take too much medicine: If you think you have taken more medicine than prescribed, go to the nearest hospital Emergency Treatment Unit (ETU) immediately . Or call the National Poisons Information Centre at the Colombo National Hospital for advice.
- Do not share: This medicine has been prescribed for you only. Never share it with anyone else , even if your symptoms are similar.
What to do if you miss a dose of medication?
This medicine is usually used only once (single dose) . The doctor may tell you to take it again in about two weeks to prevent re-infection. Therefore, this is not a daily medicine. Therefore, you do not have to worry about missing a dose. Just take the prescribed amount on the prescribed day as prescribed by the doctor.
Other medicines that should not be taken with this medicine
There are other medications that can cause problems when taken together with Pyrantel.
In particular, it is not advisable to take this medicine with another anthelmintic called piperazine . The two medicines have opposing effects and may affect the success of the treatment.
Therefore, it is very important to tell your doctor about all the medications you are taking (including vitamins, herbal remedies, and supplements). Also, inform them if you smoke or drink alcohol.
How can I prevent the disease from recurring while taking medication?
It is not enough to just take medicine. Worm infections, especially pinworm infections, can easily spread to other people in the house . The eggs of these worms can be found on our hands, under our nails, on our clothes, and in our bedding. Therefore, it is extremely important that everyone in the family gets treatment together and follows these hygiene habits.
| What to do | Why should you do that? |
|---|---|
| Always wash your hands thoroughly with soap, especially after using the bathroom and before eating. | To remove worm eggs from hands. |
| Trim your nails short, brush them well, and clean them. | To prevent worm eggs from sticking to the nails. |
| Take a shower every morning. | To wash away the worm eggs that have settled around the anus overnight. |
| Wash bedding, underwear, and sleepwear in hot water. Place them carefully in the laundry basket without wringing them. | To destroy eggs in fabrics and prevent them from becoming airborne. |
| Clean toilet seats regularly. | To prevent the spread. |
| Wipe or vacuum the floor in the bedroom with a damp cloth. | To remove eggs that remain in the dust. |
Side effects that may occur when taking medication
As with any medicine, some people may experience minor side effects when taking Pyrantel. But don't worry, these are usually not serious. However, it is important to know what these side effects are.
| Classification of side effects | |
|---|---|
| Side effects that should be reported to your doctor immediately | |
Allergic reactions such as skin rash, itching, hives, swelling of the face, lips or tongue. These can be serious and it is important to seek medical advice immediately. | |
| Side effects that should be reported to the doctor if they persist or are bothersome | |
| |
How to store the medicine?
Keep the medicine bottle out of the reach of children . Store at room temperature, between 15 and 30 degrees Celsius. Never store in the freezer . Keep the bottle tightly closed, out of direct sunlight. Remove any expired medicines.
Take-Home Message
- Pyrantel is a medicine used to treat worms. It is usually taken as a single dose.
- Before taking the medicine, don't forget to tell your doctor about your other illnesses and the medications you are taking.
- Use the special spoon that comes with the medicine to measure the amount. Do not use household spoons.
- If you accidentally take too much medicine, it is an emergency. Go to the hospital's Emergency Department (ETU) immediately.
- Hygiene is very important to prevent re-infection. Washing hands, cleaning nails, and washing clothes and bedding in hot water are essential. The entire family may need to be treated.
- If you experience any allergic symptoms (skin rash, swelling) after taking the medicine, inform your doctor immediately.
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