Pinworm Medications

Pinworm is a type of parasite that lives and thrives in the human digestive system. It is more common among school-going children. This parasite is generally 1/4 inch to 1/2 inch long, when it reaches adulthood, and looks like thin, white threads. The infection begins by swallowing of the parasite's eggs, which may be caused by contaminated food, drinks, and hands.

The female pinworm lays eggs in the skin around the anus of the infected person, usually during sleep hours. There might be thousands of eggs laid at one time. This often causes severe anal itching and scratching in the affected part. The eggs latch onto the fingers; and these eggs are later spread to clothes, toys, foods and drinks, and even to other people. When the eggs are swallowed, they make their way into the stomach, and get matured within a few weeks. And the whole cycle is repeated. Pinworm medications typically consists of oral drugs that help in eliminating the parasites and make the infected person symptom-free.

Pinworm Treatment

Pinworm: Over-the-counter Medications
As mentioned earlier, pinworm infection could be treated with OTC medicines, and the one that is recommended is known as Pyrantel pamoate (brand name Pin-X). This drug is prescribed depending upon an individual's body weight. It is important to know that, this is the only OTC drug that is recommended for treating this intestinal infection. It may come in the form of a liquid or chewable pill. Regarding the dosage, it is always safe to consult a physician. Although it is effective in killing adult pinworms, it does not have any effect on the eggs. Also, recurrence is a common issue that may crop up with its usage. That is why, a second dose is usually recommended.

Side effects of the medicine may include:

• Diarrhea
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Dizziness
• Sleepiness
• Skin rash
• Cramps in the abdominal region

Pinworm: Prescription Medications
Perhaps, the best pinworm medicine is the one prescribed by doctors. Mebendazole is one prescription medicine for treating pinworms. It comes in a chewable pill form. Typically, it is administered twice, with a gap of two weeks between the dosages. The second shot is administered to kill the worms that might have hatched after the first treatment. This anti-parasitic drug not only kills adult pinworms but immature ones as well. But the eggs somehow remain resistant to its effects.

Side effects in this case may include:

• Diarrhea
• Pain in the abdominal region

Another prescribed drug for the pinworm treatment is known as Albendazole, brand name Albenza. Even this is available in tablet form. An important fact to know about this is, it is not usually the first choice of treatment. It is used for people who do not respond to other anti-parasitic drugs. In most cases, this drug helps cure the infection completely. Side effects that may occur may include fatigue, pain in abdomen, itching and fever. Another severe side effect may be hair fall, which stops once the medication is over.

Expecting mothers are strictly advised to consult a doctor or a pharmacist before going for pinworm medicines. This also applies for people suffering from malfunctioning livers or any other chronic illnesses.

To conclude, if you notice that the OTC medication is not working to treat the pinworm infection, then do not further engage in self-medication. Visit a doctor, get your ailment diagnosed, and then administer the right prescribed medicine.