Pirantel tablets for children. How to take, instructions, reviews

Pirantel is an Indian anthelmintic, which is produced in the form of tablets and suspension. The drug allows you to destroy a parasitic infection in a short time, has a relatively small list of adverse reactions. In this regard, the medication is allowed to be used to treat children.

Release form

Pyrantel in tablet form is produced in 2 types (the external characteristics of the medication depend on the manufacturer): some companies produce the drug in the form of an oval biconvex tablet, on one plane of which there is a risk of division. Others are produced in a classic form, that is, the tablet has a flat round appearance, chamfers and a dividing line are also present.

The color of the preparation is yellow, a gray-green tint is allowed. Under the influence of sunlight, the tablet darkens to a yellow-brown color. The presence of a slight specific odor and marbling is possible when the tablet breaks. The product is packed in aluminum blisters or in honeycomb plates in the amount of 3 pcs. The box can contain 1-5 and 10 blisters.

The substance has a paralyzing effect on the chemical composition

Pirantel - tablets for children, which are produced not only by Indian pharmaceutical companies, but also by Polish and Russian ones. But regardless of the manufacturer, the composition of the drug does not change. The following is a review of the components of the medication.

The main and minor components of Pirantel tablets:

List of elements	Characteristics of elements
The main component
Pirantel	The substance has a paralyzing effect of helminths (does not kill them), as a result, they cannot attach to the intestinal walls and are easily expelled with feces. The component affects adults and "adolescent" individuals, but is "safe" for larvae.
Auxiliary components
Ethyl cellulose	Used as an adhesive to combine components. The substance slows down the absorption of the main element, prolonging the effect of the drug.
Povidone	The component attracts harmful substances and toxins that helminths produce during their vital activity, and accelerates their removal from the body.
Magnesium stearate	It is a filler, slows down the disintegration of tablets, prolonging their action, and also facilitates the sliding of the drug along the digestive tract.
Talc	The element facilitates the sliding of the tablet and protects the mucous membranes of the digestive tract from the aggressive effects of the drug.
Potato starch	The substance allows the tablets to dissolve in a liquid medium, and also has an anti-inflammatory effect and activates the removal of excess fluid from the body.
Orange flavor	The component gives the medicine a pleasant aroma and orange flavor.

One tablet accounts for 250 mg of the main component.

Pharmacological properties

Pirantel belongs to the group of antihelminthic medicines.

Pharmacodynamics and pharmacokinetics

Pirantel - tablets for children that block the nerve endings of helminths, parasites are immobilized and leave the body with feces. The disadvantage of the remedy is that it cannot paralyze the larvae, as a result, a second admission is required medication after about 3 weeks (during this period, the larvae "mature", but have not yet entered the stage reproduction).

Indications for use

The indications for prescribing pirantel tablets for children are identical to those for adults.

That is, the drug is used for the following pathologies:

• enterobiasis. Pinworms of the Enterobius species colonize the cecum and appendix. Pathology is more often diagnosed in children;
• ankylostomiasis. Roundworms (hookworms) colonize the intestines and cause anemia;
• ascariasis. Roundworms are usually colonized in the small intestine. But individuals can also affect the liver, lungs and other organs, disrupting their condition and activity. Pathology is also more often diagnosed in children;
• non-coronary artery disease. The causative agents are helminths "necator", which colonize mainly in the small intestine. Pathology is common in America, Asia and Africa;
• trichocephalosis. The cause of the disease is whipworm - trichocephalosis, which is colonized in the intestines. Children living in the tropics and subtropics are susceptible to diseases.

In addition to these indications, Pirantel tablets for children can also be used for prophylactic purposes, in cases where at home there are cats or dogs that regularly visit the street, as well as in the event that a helminth is found in one of the members families.

Important. If the parasites are not destroyed, then they absorb most of the nutrients, as a result, a pronounced depletion of the body occurs. In addition, some types of helminths disrupt the condition of the tissues of the organs of the digestive tract and can cause the development of internal bleeding.

Contraindications

Pirantel tablets cannot be used to treat children if the child has:

• intolerance to the components of the drug;
• severe muscle weakness;
• intestinal obstruction;
• severe liver failure.

There are also relative contraindications to the use of the product.

These include:

• bronchial asthma, especially during an exacerbation;
• exacerbation of renal failure;
• disruption of the work and condition of the heart and blood vessels in severe form;
• recent cerebral hemorrhage.

Also, if the child's swallowing reflex is impaired, then the tablet form should be replaced with a liquid one.

At what age can the drug be used?

Pirantel, produced in the form of tablets, is allowed to be given to children after they reach 3 years of age. At an earlier age (from 6 months to 3 years), the drug should be used in the form of a suspension. It is recommended to discuss the most suitable form of release by age with a pediatrician.

Instructions for use, dosage

Pirantel, used to eliminate helminths in children (as well as for prophylactic purposes), should be consumed with food and washed down with water. Food will reduce the irritating effect of the tablet on the mucous membranes of the digestive tract.

Dosing rules for Pirantel tablets for children (by age and purpose of administration):

List of appointments	Age restrictions	Dosage	Notes (edit)
Enterobiasis and ascariasis	From 3 to 6 years old	70-80 mg or 1/3 of a tablet.	When calculated individually, you need to multiply 5 mg of the drug by 1 kg of weight. The drug is taken once. After 20 days, repeat the reception.
6 to 12 years old	100-120 mg or ½ part of a tablet.
Over 12 years old	160-200 mg. Three-fifths or a whole tablet.
Ankylostomiasis	From 3 to 6 years old	140-160 mg or 3/5 tablets.	The dose is calculated by multiplying 10 mg of the drug per 1 kg of weight. The course is 3 days.
6 to 12 years old	200-240 mg or one whole tablet.
Over 12 years old	300-400 mg. One or 1.5 tablets.
Necatorosis and trichocephalosis	From 3 to 6 years old	280-320 mg or 1 tablet.	The dosage can be calculated by multiplying 20 mg of the medication by 1 kg of body weight. The duration of the course is 2 days.
6 to 12 years old	400-480 mg. One and a half or 2 tablets.
Over 12 years old	600-800 mg. Two and a half or 3 tablets.
Prevention of infection	From 3 to 6 years old	70-160 mg. One third or 3/5 of the tablet.	The dosage can be 5-10 mg per 1 kg of body weight. The indicator depends on what type of helminths the patient is infected with. The frequency of taking the pill is 1 time in 24 hours (without repeating the course).
6 to 12 years old	100-240 mg. Half or whole tablet.
Over 12 years old	160-400. Three-fifths or 1.5 tablets.

The tablet must be bitten and chewed, and there should be enough water (for drinking) so that the product does not get stuck in the throat and quickly gets into the digestive tract. Self-calculation of the dose of the drug allows you to choose the exact amount of medication, especially if the child suffers from underweight or overweight.

Side effects

Despite the fact that the active substances of Pirantel tablets practically do not penetrate into the blood, the use of a medication can cause the development of the following adverse reactions in children:

• sleepiness, even during the daytime;
• violation of the process of falling asleep or complete lack of sleep;
• headache, of varying intensity;
• vomiting or vomiting. More often occurs after swallowing the drug;
• frequent stools with a liquid consistency;
• cramping abdominal pain;
• deterioration or loss of appetite;
• unreasonable loss of body weight;
• cutting and pulling pains in the rectum. In this case, defecation does not occur;
• rash, itching, tissue swelling and other signs of allergy to the composition;
• an increase in the amount of liver enzymes;
• hallucinations;
• violation of consciousness;
• a tingling sensation on the skin or the appearance of goose bumps;
• changes in the quality of hearing;
• an increase in body temperature;
• severe weakness and rapid loss of strength.

The listed symptoms are not the reason for discontinuation of the drug (except for allergies), in cases where the course of therapy is more than once.

Overdose

Pirantel - tablets for children that rarely cause the development of poisoning, since the components of the drug are poorly absorbed into the blood.

Excessive use of medication can cause the following malfunctions in the body:

• severe nausea, turning into vomiting. Vomiting can be repeated and profuse;
• frequent bowel movements, feces may be watery;
• after poisoning, a sharp weight loss is possible;
• complete loss of strength;
• disruption of the liver, cardiovascular and respiratory systems is not excluded.

Important. There is no antidote to the drug. Therefore, after poisoning, it is required in the near future to give the victim a gastric lavage and give sorbents. Further, if the child's health worsens, you need to call an ambulance. And if the first aid gave a result, then after the normalization of the condition, the child needs to be shown to the pediatrician.

special instructions

Before prescribing Pirantel tablets to children, the pediatrician discusses with the parents the nuances of using the medication, which include:

• if the child has liver pathologies, then the pediatrician should be informed about them, since, depending on the severity of the pathology, a dose adjustment may be required;
• the effectiveness of the remedy and the speed of its action is not affected by food intake or the use of laxatives;
• if helminths are detected in one of the family members (or in a pet), then Pirantel must be taken by everyone (the drug is even allowed to be given to animals, the dosage is calculated by weight);
• if the child has difficulty swallowing, then only the liquid form of the medication is used;
• it is required to strictly adhere to the prescribed course and observe the rules of hygiene, in order to completely destroy worms;
• after taking the pill, a change of underwear (daily) and bed linen is required, since some individuals of helminths lay eggs on the anal area, and they fall on the bottom and bed linen;
• the drug may cause severe weakness and drowsiness. This effect must be taken into account, especially if the child attends sports sections;
• if a child is taking drugs for muscle weakness, then they should be discontinued about 7 days before and after taking Pirantel;
• if the child immediately vomited after taking the pill, and the pill came out completely, then the drug can be taken again. But if more than an hour has passed after using the medication, then the agent is not taken again. But you need to report vomiting to the pediatrician. He can adjust the treatment.

The child can refuse to take the pill, then it can be crushed and dissolved in orange juice (50 ml is enough). After the orange suspension, the child should be given water to drink.

Drug interactions

If the child, for the period of Pirantel's appointment, is undergoing a course of treatment with other medicines, then the compatibility of the drugs should be checked with the doctor.

The tablets should not be taken in combination with the following medicines:

• cannot be used simultaneously with other drugs for the destruction of helminths, the current as the toxic effect of both drugs increases;
• Pirantel improves the absorption of Theophylline drug; as a result, an adjustment of the dosage of this drug is required;
• do not use products containing ethanol, as they increase the toxic effect of Pirantel.

Also, the effectiveness of Pirantel can be reduced to almost zero when used simultaneously with sorbents.

List of analogues

Pirantel is a pill for children that can be replaced with other medicines of a similar effect. It is better to make a replacement in conjunction with a pediatrician in order to take into account all the subtleties of the selected drug.

Popular Pirantel substitutes for children:

Name of the tool selling features	Dosage form and active ingredient	Features of reception
Helmintox. Not a prescription drug.	Tablets containing 125 and 250 mg of the active substance, which is pyrantel.	An analogue can be used after the child reaches 6 years of age. The list of contraindications is similar to the original. The dosage of the product is made individually by weight. Taking the drug can cause side effects identical to Pirantel.
Vermox. Can be sold with or without a prescription.	Tablets containing 100 mg of mebendazole.	The remedy is allowed to be prescribed from 2 years. The drug has a wider range of action and more dangerous side effects. The dosage of the drug is selected individually. The course of therapy can take from 3 to 10 days.
Wormin. Sale is free.	Tablets containing 100 mg of mebendazole.	The analogue has been used since 2 years. The tool has a large extensive list of indications, contraindications and adverse reactions. The prescribed individual dosage should be taken from 3 to 7 days.
Decaris. Sale by prescription.	Tablets containing 50 and 150 mg of levamisole.	Decaris is allowed from 3 years old. The tool has a wide range of action against helminths and a smaller list of prohibitions. But the drug is dangerous, as it can provoke the development of side effects. A single dosage is selected individually. The course is 2 tablets, which should be taken at intervals of 2 weeks.
Biltricide. Prescription drug.	Tablets containing 600 mg of praziquantel.	An analogue is prescribed from 4 years old. The medication has a wide range of actions, as well as a small list of prohibitions and side effects. A single dosage is prescribed by a pediatrician. The course can be from 1 to 3 days.
Nemozole. Prescription remedy.	Tablets containing 200 and 400 mg of albendazole.	Nemozol is allowed for children from 3 years old. The tool has a wide range of indications (the largest of all analogues). The list of contraindications is minimal. The dosage and course are set individually by the pediatrician. The drug can cause side effects. The list is listed in the instructions.

The considered analogs differ not only in the active ingredients, but also in the dosage rules and age restrictions. Therefore, it is highly undesirable to replace Pirantel on your own.

Terms, conditions of sale and storage

Pirantel tablets can be sold with or without a prescription (depending on the region and type of pharmacy). After purchasing the product, you need to put it in a dark place, the temperature should be no higher than 25 degrees. After removing the tablet from the blister, it should be taken immediately.

Important. Access to pills for children should be excluded in order to avoid the development of poisoning with uncontrolled intake of the drug.

The price of the drug and analogues

The cost of the Pirantel tablet form and its analogues depends on the place of purchase and the manufacturer:

List of funds	The number of the device in the package	Minimum price	Maximum price
Pirantel	3 tablets.	RUB 27	RUB 46
Helmintox	3 tablets.	RUB 67	89 RUB
Vermox	6 tablets.	RUB 87	103 rbl.
Wormin	24 tablets.	121 RUB	132 rbl.
Decaris	2 tablets.	RUB 78	94 r
Biltricide	6 tablets.	RUB 418	503 RUB
Nemozole	1 tablet	198 RUB	218 r

Pirantel is a popular drug because of its high efficacy, short course of treatment and low cost. In addition, the use of tablets rarely provokes the development of side effects, in this regard, the drug is allowed to be used to treat children from 3 years of age.

Author: Kotlyachkova Svetlana

Video about the drug Pirantel

Pirantel is an effective medicine against helminths: