Treatment with worm medicines is carried out in a single dose, but schemes lasting 3, 5 or more days may also be indicated, which varies according to the type of medicine or the worm to be combatted.
Medicines for worms should always be taken according to the doctor’s recommendation and are generally indicated when worms are detected in a fecal examination or when infection is suspected through symptoms such as excessive hunger, marked weight loss or changes in transit. intestinal, for example. Check out the main symptoms of worms.
Some medicines for worms can be purchased at the pharmacy without a prescription, however, it is important that the gastroenterologist, general practitioner or pediatrician who can recommend the best medicine according to the type of worm, with doses according to weight and age, especially in the case of children.
10 remedies for worms
The main remedies used and their action for each type of the most common worms are:
1. Albendazole
Albendazole is a widely used medication, as it combats most intestinal parasites, such as Ascariasis, Trichocephaliasis, Enterobiasis (oxyuriasis), Hookworm, Strongyloidiasis, Teniasis and Giardiasis. Its action consists of degenerating the structures of cells and tissues of worms and protozoa, causing the death of these parasites.
How to use: generally, the dose of albendazole used for adults or children over 2 years of age is 400 mg, in a single dose, for the treatment of Ascaris lumbricoides. However, in some cases, the doctor may advise use for a longer period, such as for 3 days in cases of Strongyloidiasis and Teniasis, or for 5 days in cases of Giardiasis, for example.
Most common side effects: abdominal pain, headache, dizziness, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, hives and elevated levels of some liver enzymes.
2. Mebendazole
This medicine is used to treat many types of worms, as it destroys the functions of the cells responsible for the parasites’ energy, causing the death of worms that cause diseases such as Enterobiasis (oxyuriasis), Ascariasis, Trichocephaliasis, Echinococcosis, Hookworm and Teniasis.
How to use: the recommended dose, according to the leaflet, is 100 mg, twice a day, for 3 days, or as advised by the doctor, for adults and children over 2 years old.
Most common side effects: headache, dizziness, hair loss, abdominal discomfort, fever, skin redness, changes in blood cells and elevated liver enzyme levels.
Read too: Intestinal worms: what they are, symptoms, transmission and treatment
3. Nitazoxanida
Also known by the trade name Annita, this medicine is one of the most efficient in combating different types of worms and protozoa, as it works by inhibiting the enzymes in the cells that are essential for the life of parasites, including Enterobiasis (oxyuriasis), Ascariasis, Strongyloidiasis, Ancylostomiasis , Trichocephaliasis, Taeniasis and Hymenolepiasis, Amebiasis, Giardiasis, Cryptosporidiasis, Blastocytosis, Balantidiasis and Isosporiasis.
How to use: it is generally used at a dose of 500mg, every 12 hours, for 3 days. The dose for children over 1 year of age is 0.375 mL (7.5 mg) of the oral solution per kg of weight, every 12 hours, for 3 days, as instructed by the pediatrician.
Most common side effects: greenish-colored urine, abdominal pain, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, headache, elevated liver enzyme levels and anemia.
4. Piperazine
It is a useful dewormer for the treatment of Ascariasis and Enterobiasis (oxyuriasis), and works by blocking the muscular response of the worms, causing paralysis, which is why they can be eliminated while still alive by the body.
How to use: the recommended dose of this medicine is advised by the doctor, and, according to the leaflet, to treat Enterobiasis it is 65 mg per kg of weight, per day, for 7 days, for adults and children. In the case of Ascariasis, the dose is 3.5 g, for 2 days, for adults and 75 mg per kg of weight, for 2 days, for children.
Most common side effects: nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, redness, hives and dizziness.
5. Pyrantel
It is an antiparasitic that also works by paralyzing the worms, which are expelled alive through intestinal movements, useful for combating infections such as Hookworm, Ascariasis and Enterobiasis (oxyuriasis).
How to use: the dose recommended by the drug leaflet is 10 to 11 mg per kg of weight, with a maximum dose of 1 g, in a single dose, for adults and children, with the treatment being able to be repeated after 2 weeks to guarantee the treatment of Enterobiasis .
Most common side effects: lack of appetite, cramps and abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, dizziness, drowsiness and headache.
6. Ivermectin
Ivermectin is very useful for the treatment of larvae that cause Strongyloidiasis, Onchocerciasis, Filariasis, Scabies and Pediculosis, which are lice, and kills these parasites by altering the structure of their muscle and nerve cells.
How to use: the recommended dose of this medication is 200 mcg per kg of weight, in a single dose, or as prescribed by a doctor, for adults and children weighing more than 15 kg.
Most common side effects: diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, weakness, abdominal pain, lack of appetite, constipation, dizziness, drowsiness, tremor, hives.
7. Tiabendazol
Thiabendazole is also a useful medicine for eliminating larvae, being used to treat Strongyloidiasis, cutaneous Larva migrans and visceral Larva migrans (toxocariasis), as it inhibits the enzymes in the worm cells, causing their death.
How to use: the recommended dose may vary according to medical indications, but the dose is usually 50 mg for each kg of weight (maximum 3 g), divided into two doses, for adults and children, and several days of treatment may be necessary to eliminate visceral Larva migrans.
Most common side effects: nausea, vomiting, dry mouth, diarrhea, weight loss, stomach pain, abdominal pain, tiredness and dizziness.
8. Secnidazole
Secnidazole is a medicine that interferes with the DNA of protozoa, causing their death, and is widely used for the treatment of Amebiasis and Giardiasis.
How to use: the recommended dose of this medicine is 30 mg per kg of weight, in a single dose, without exceeding the maximum dose of 2 g, for the treatment of intestinal amebiasis or giardiasis. In the case of hepatic amoebiasis, treatment time can vary from 5 to 7 days, according to medical advice. This remedy should be taken with a little liquid, preferably after dinner.
Most common side effects: nausea, stomach pain, change in taste, with a metallic taste, inflammation of the tongue and mouth mucosa, decrease in the number of white blood cells, dizziness.
9. Metronidazole
It is a useful antibiotic for different types of bacteria, however, it has excellent action against protozoa that cause intestinal diseases such as Amebiasis and Giardiasis, acting by interfering with the DNA of bacteria and protozoa, causing their death. In addition, it is also widely used for other types of protozoan infections, such as vaginal infections. Gardnerella vaginalis and Trichomoniasis.
How to use: the recommended use to treat Giardiasis is 250 mg, 3 times a day, for 5 days, while, to treat Amebiasis, it is recommended to take 500 mg, 4 times a day, for 5 days to 10 days, which must be guided by the doctor.
Most common side effects: abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, oral mucositis, changes in taste such as metallic taste, dizziness, headache, hives.
10. Praziquantel
It is an antiparasitic that is used to treat infections such as Schistosomiasis, Teniasis and Cysticercosis, acting by causing paralysis of the worm, which is then killed by the action of the body’s immunity.
How to use: to treat Schistosomiasis in adults and children over 4 years of age, 2 to 3 doses of 20 mg per kg of weight are recommended, in a single day. To treat Taeniasis, 5 to 10 mg per kg of weight is recommended, in a single dose and for Cysticercosis, 50 mg/kg per day, divided into 3 daily doses, for 14 days.
Most common side effects: abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, headache, dizziness, weakness and hives.
In some cases, it is also possible that the dose and number of days of use of the aforementioned medications vary, depending on medical indication, if there are particularities in the treatment of each person, such as the existence of impaired immunity, as in cases of people with AIDS, or if the worm infection is more serious, as happens in cases of hyperinfection or infections of organs outside the intestine, for example.
Who shouldn’t use worm medicine
Worm remedies should not be used by children under 2 years of age, pregnant women and breastfeeding women, except under medical advice.
You should read the medicine leaflet carefully, as each medicine may have different contraindications.
Homemade options for worms
There are natural remedy options that can help fight worms, however they should never replace treatment advised by a doctor, being only complementary options.
Some examples are eating pumpkin seeds, papaya seeds or drinking a peppermint drink with milk, for example, but there is no scientific evidence of the effectiveness of these home remedies for treatment. Check out information on home remedy options for worms.
How to avoid getting infected again
Worms can always be around, in untreated water, on the floor and even in food that has not been washed well. Therefore, to protect yourself from worm infection, it is important to follow some tips such as:
- Keep your hands clean, washing them with soap and water after using the bathroom or visiting public places;
- Avoid biting nails;
- Avoid walking barefoot, especially on dirt and mud;
- Do not drink water that is not properly filtered or boiled;
- Wash and sanitize salads and fruits before eating. See a simple way to wash vegetables well before eating.
It is recommended that the whole family undergo treatment with antiparasitics recommended by the doctor, even if there are no apparent signs and symptoms, as this makes it possible to prevent contagion.
See also other options on what to do to treat and how to protect yourself from worms, in the following video:
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