We select pills for worms: an overview of parasite remedies

2023 Author: Alfred Shackley | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-05-21 13:14

The presence of worms in the human body in medicine is called helminthiasis. This is a very common occurrence and causes a number of serious illnesses in both children and adults. Helminthiasis affects the immune, digestive, endocrine systems and the state of the entire human body as a whole.

Experts do not advise leaving this problem unattended, but approaching its solution in a comprehensive manner.

When is it worth taking preventive measures?

To protect yourself from worms, it is worth taking preventive measures from time to time. For an adult, it is necessary to take antiparasitic drugs twice a year. At the same time, keep in mind that the threat of the appearance of worms is activated in autumn and spring.

For prevention, you can choose the medicine yourself. Modern pharmacology offers various products for worms, most of which are presented in the form of tablets. However, almost all of them have side effects. Therefore, it is better to consult a doctor before taking it.

There are a number of factors in a person's life in which it is simply necessary to take pills to prevent worms:

• The presence of animals in the house or frequent contact with them;
• Frequent contact with damp earth;
• Swimming in the sea, lake, stay on the beach;
• Visit to exotic countries with a different climate;
• Frequent fishing trips, hiking trips;
• Long stay in public places.

Before you start taking pills for worms, you need to read the instructions. Most often, the course of antiparasitic prophylaxis for adults lasts from one day to two weeks. It all depends on the drug and the general health of the person.

Below are examples of the most popular helminthiasis medicines.

Vermox

These antiparasitic tablets contain the active substance mebendazole, which acts directly on the worms. This is a broad-spectrum medicine, it helps to get rid of roundworms, pinworms, whipworms. The action of this drug is aimed at metabolic disorders in the organisms of worms, causes the complete utilization of glucose and cellular tubulin. This dysfunction leads to the rapid death of the parasites.

These tablets are very toxic, therefore they are used more often for adults, for children only with the permission of a doctor and with an advanced stage of helminthiasis.

"Vermox" is practically not absorbed in the human intestine, acting directly on helminths. You can not use it for ulcerative colitis and liver failure. It is also not recommended for use during pregnancy, especially in the first trimester.

For prophylaxis, one tablet is usually prescribed per day for three days. The medicine should not be taken in combination with laxatives. In addition, it is not recommended to consume alcoholic beverages when taking.

With increased sensitivity to the components of the drug, the following side effects may occur:

• Nausea and vomiting;
• Dizziness and headache;
• Allergic reaction in the form of a skin rash.

Albendazole

This product has been popular in the pharmaceutical market for over 40 years. And to this day, it is considered the best for combating worms of all types, as well as for preventing this pathology. The active substances of this drug can kill not only adults, but also the larvae of parasites.

It is strictly forbidden to take the drug for pregnant women, during lactation and people suffering from cirrhosis of the liver.

The prophylaxis course provides for a single use of one tablet (400 mg), repeated after three weeks. Apply internally after meals with a little water.

The drug can cause a number of unwanted side effects:

• Stomach ache;
• Dizziness;
• Thrombocytoma;
• Leukopenia;
• Itchy skin.

Dekaris

Highly effective broad-spectrum anthelmintic drug. Available in the form of tablets of 150 mg. The active ingredient is levamisole, which provokes nervous and muscle paralysis of worms.

For prophylaxis, adults are prescribed one tablet internally. It is best to take your medication before bed.

The toxicity of this drug does not exceed the permissible norm, so it can be prescribed for the prevention of worms, even for pregnant women.

Side effects of the pills are possible, but they are observed in very rare cases and are of a moderate nature. Rarely manifested in the form of nausea, vomiting, diarrhea.

"Dekaris" is pleasantly different from other anthelmintic drugs for its price.

These pills are in high demand.

Pirantel

These pills are famous for their low price, but weaker effect for treatment. Therefore, they are more often taken for the prevention of worms.

The active ingredient is pyrantel, which acts on the muscles of helminths and gently paralyzes them. It is effective in identifying the main types of worms: ascaris and pinworms.

The mild therapeutic effect is explained by the fact that "Pirantel" is absorbed in the human intestine, practically not getting into the bloodstream.

The prophylaxis course lasts three days. The tablets should be taken one per day, chewed and washed down with water.

The body rarely reacts badly to this remedy, but sometimes intestinal upset and mild nausea may occur.

Helmintox

An effective anthelmintic agent for humans, used for treatment and prevention. The active substance, pyrantel embonate, blocks the transmission of nerve impulses in the muscle tissue of helminths, thus paralyzing them.

The drug is allowed to be prescribed to children from 6 years old and adults. It is used once, the amount depends on the patient's body weight. The course can be continued no earlier than 3 months later.

Taking pills during pregnancy and liver pathology is not recommended.

Side effects of "Helmintoks":

• Insomnia, confusion;
• Hives rash;
• Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea.

Biltricide

Tablets for the treatment and prevention of worms in humans. Their action is aimed at increasing the permeability of helminth cell membranes for calcium. This causes paralysis and complete destruction of the worms.

The tool is taken one tablet at a time with meals, once. After a month, you can repeat the procedure. It is better to drink this medicine before bedtime, due to which absorption is significantly improved.

Side effects are very rare:

• Partial dysfunction of the organs of the endocrine system;
• Intestinal upset;
• Sleep disturbance.

General preventive measures against helminthiasis

There are several opinions about prevention in modern medicine. Some doctors believe that anthelmintic drugs should be taken only when the first symptoms begin to appear. Other representatives of medicine are convinced that prevention should be carried out with one drug. Recently, an integrated approach to prevention has become popular, i.e. the use of two drugs at once.

You can choose the method of treatment yourself, but you need to pay attention to the general state of health and the presence of pathologies.

There are a number of rules that you should also adhere to in order to protect yourself from worms:

• Personal hygiene;
• Do not drink raw water;
• To wash vegetables and fruits, it is better to process them with boiling water;
• Do not eat raw fish, meat;
• Wash hands before eating, after contact with pets;
• Change bedding and underwear regularly.

Such measures do not guarantee protection against helminthiasis, however, they significantly increase the elimination of possible infection. In addition, at home, you can use pumpkin seeds and garlic as a prophylaxis.