Ascarel

Pyrantel is an anthelmintic medicine that is used to treat pinworm infections such as enterobiasis and oxyuriasis.

This may also be used to treat other worm infections as determined by your doctor.

Its mechanism of action is to paralyze the worms in order to excrete it in the body through the stool.

Pyrantel is indicated for patients with:

• Common roundworm infection
• Hookworm infection
• More than one worm infection at a time

Anemia may occur in patients with hookworm infections. Therefore, your doctor may prescribe you with iron supplements.

Your will also be recommended to take iron supplements for up to 6 months after you stop taking Pyrantel. Check with your doctor if you have concerns regarding this aspect.

This medication is available in the following dosage forms:

• Chewable tablet
• Suspension
• Tablet

Before taking Pyrantel, you should tell your healthcare providers if you have allergies to Pyrantel or to any other medications.

It is also important to inform them if you have allergies to foods, dyes, preservatives, or animals.

This medicine has been tested in a limited number of children 2 years of age or older without having any serious side effects or problems.

As for elderlies, it is not known whether it works exactly the same way as no adequate study was done for older people.

Pregnancy category C – Tell your doctor first if you are currently expecting a baby or if you are planning to become pregnant.

There are no adequate studies whether Pyrantel can pass through breast milk or if it could cause harmful effects to the infant. Discuss with your doctor if you are breastfeeding a baby.

Discuss with your doctor if you are taking any other medication. Tell your doctor if you have liver disease as this may affect the use of Pyrantel.

Pyrantel can be taken before or after meals. Take Pyrantel as directed by your health care providers or as specified on the medication label.

The dose of this medicine varies for different patients. Pyrantel should be stored in a closed container at room temperature away from heat, moisture, and direct light. Keep from freezing.

Keep out of the reach of children.

For patients taking Pyrantel oral suspension:

Shake the bottle well before using and use a measuring spoon or cup for accurate measurement.

For patients taking Pyrantel for pinworms:

Pinworms may be easily transmitted from one person to another, especially among persons in the same household.

If one in your family is infected, all household members should be treated to prevent infection or recurrence of infection.

All household members should be treated again for 2 to 3 weeks to clear up the infection completely.

For oral dosage forms (oral suspension or tablets):

The dose is based on body weight and will be determined by your doctor. It is taken once a day and may need to be repeated in 2 to 3 weeks.

Check with your doctor if your symptoms did not improve within a few days or if they become worse.

Expect that this medication can cause dizziness or drowsiness. Avoid driving, operating machinery, or any other risky activities when you take this medication.

Pinworm infection may recur after Pyrantel treatment in certain patients.

To prevent recurrence, you should avoid scratching the area around the buttocks, do proper hand washing especially before eating and after using the toilet, wear tight underpants both day and night, keep your bedroom floor clean for several days after treatment, avoid dry sweeping that may stir up dust, keep the toilet seat clean, and wash all the bed linens.

Check with your doctor immediately if you experience any signs of allergic reaction after taking Pyrantel medication.

Less serious side effects include:

• Abdominal or stomach cramps or pain
• Diarrhea
• Dizziness
• Drowsiness
• Headache
• Irritability
• Loss of appetite
• Nausea or vomiting
• Trouble in sleeping

Some side effects that are not listed above may also occur in some patients. Check with your healthcare professional if you notice any other effects.