How to Take the Right Worm Medicine

Worm medicine is useful for preventing and treating intestinal worms that are sometimes not realized by sufferers. But, do you already know how to take the right worm medicine? Worms can be caused by various species of worms. The types of worms that most often infect humans include roundworms (Ascaris lumbricoides), whipworms (Trichuris trichiura), and hookworms (Necator americanus and Ancylostoma duodenale). In its host body, in this case it is human, worms take nutrients from food that enters and from host body tissues, including blood. That is why, intestinal worms can cause blood loss that eventually becomes anemic. Intake of various important nutrients, such as protein, carbohydrates, and vitamin A, will also be reduced, so that sufferers can experience nutritional deficiencies (malnutrition). This results in the body of worms sufferers become thin and easily tired. If it occurs in children, lack of nutrition due to intestinal worms will disrupt their growth and development process. Apart from causing anemia and malnutrition, certain types of worms can also cause diarrhea and dysentery.

Worm Medicines and how to consume them

One way to treat and prevent intestinal worms is to take anthelmintic. The following are some of the types of worm medicines available in Indonesia and how to take them:

1. Piperazine

Piperazine is effective for treating pinworm (Enterobius vermicularis) and hookworm infections. Piperazine works by immobilizing worms, so that worms can be carried out with feces. Piperazine may be consumed before eating (on an empty stomach), or after eating. Piperazine is not recommended to be taken together with pyrantel pamoate, chlorpromazine, tramadol, bupropion, and laxatives containing sodium bisphosphate. Before taking this worm medicine, consult your doctor first if you have a history of epilepsy or liver disease.

2. Pirantel pamoat

Pirantel pamoate is effective in treating roundworm, pinworm and hookworm infections, but it is not effective against whipworms. Pirantel pamoat paralyzes worms so they can be carried out with feces. Pirantel pamoat may be consumed on an empty stomach or after meals. If it is chewable, the medicine must be chewed before swallowing. Pirantel pamoate should not be taken with piperazine.

3. Levamisole

Levamisole is effective in treating roundworm infections, but it is not effective against whipworm and hookworm. Like piperazine and pyrantel pamoate, levamisole works by immobilizing worms in the intestine. Levamisole should be taken with water while eating, to minimize the side effects of nausea and abdominal pain. Avoid taking this drug with alcoholic drinks. Consult your doctor first if you have bleeding disorders, rheumatoid arthritis, or severe kidney failure. Levamisole should not be taken with phenytoin, albendazole, warfarin and clozapine, or if you want to / have just been immunized.

4. Mebendazole

Mebendazole is effective against pinworms, whipworms, roundworms and hookworms, including their eggs. The way mebendazole medicine works is that it inhibits the absorption of nutrients in the worms, so that the worms will die of starvation. Mebendazole may be consumed on an empty stomach, but it should be consumed with food, especially foods high in fat, such as milk or ice cream. Mebendazole can also be crushed and mixed with food. Mebendazole should not be taken with metronidazole, phenytoin, carbamazepine and cimetidine.

5. Albendazole

Albendazole is effective against tapeworms in pigs (Taenia solium), roundworms, hookworms, whipworms and pinworms, including eggs. The way albendazole works is the same as mebendazole, which inhibits the absorption of nutrients in the worm, so that the worm dies of starvation. This medicine must be taken while eating, especially when consuming foods high in fat, so that the absorption of the drug is better. Albendazole should not be taken with dexamethasone, praziquantel, cimetidine, clozapine, seizures (phenobarbital, phenytoin, carbamazepine), diltiazem, ARV drugs, malaria drugs, ganciclovir, and itraconazole.

6. Praziquantel

Praziquantel is effective against liver worms (Fasciola hepatica) and schistosoma worms. This medicine works by immobilizing worms and releasing worm fumes. This medicine must be consumed with food and swallowed whole, not chewed or crushed, because it tastes bitter. If the child cannot swallow tablets, the medicine can be crushed and mixed with soft food or drinks. But remember, the drug must be consumed within one hour after it is mixed. Praziquantel should not be taken together with TB drugs rifampicin, dexamethasone, seizure drugs (phenobarbital, phenytoin, carbamazepine), cimetidine, erythromycin, fungal drugs (itraconazole, ketoconazole, griseofulvin), ARV drugs (nevirapine, efavirenozine) and efavirenozine. The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends the drug albendazole 400 mg or mebendazole 500 mg, just one drink every 1 or 2 years, to prevent intestinal worms. Some types of worm medicine for adults or children, such as piperazine, pyrantel pamoate, and mebendazole, are sold freely limited (blue labeled). If you buy the medicine yourself without a doctor's prescription, read carefully the instructions for use listed on the packaging. Syrup-shaped medicine should be shaken before consuming it. The use of anthelmintic in children less than 2 years old, pregnant women, and nursing mothers, should be consulted first with a doctor. In addition to taking anthelmintic, prevention of intestinal worms also needs to be done by maintaining cleanliness, such as using a clean water source, wearing footwear when outside the home, and regularly washing hands before eating and after defecation.