Pyrantel
Pyrantel is an anthelmintic used for several intestinal worm infections. Treatment success depends not only on the medicine but also on correct dosing for the person and organism and, for pinworm, reducing reinfection within the household.
At a glance
Quick facts
- Drug class
- Anthelmintic
- Main uses
- Pinworm, roundworm, hookworm and selected other intestinal nematode infections depending on local labeling
- Route
- Oral
- WHO ATC
- P02CC01
- Key safety
- Usually causes mild gastrointestinal or neurologic effects; correct organism identification, weight-based dosing and reinfection control are important.
- Monitoring
- Parasitic diagnosis when uncertain, weight and formulation, household reinfection risk and persistent symptoms after treatment.
Names & terminology
How this medicine may be named or searched
- Canonical page name
- Pyrantel
- INN / generic name
- Pyrantel
- Aliases / salts
- pyrantel · pyrantel pamoate · pyrantel embonate
- Russian support entity
- pyrantel.ru — entity relationship only, not a clinical source
Structured drug profile
Drug profile
What is Pyrantel?
Pyrantel is an anthelmintic used for several intestinal worm infections. Treatment success depends not only on the medicine but also on correct dosing for the person and organism and, for pinworm, reducing reinfection within the household.
What is Pyrantel used for?
Pinworm, roundworm, hookworm and selected other intestinal nematode infections depending on local labeling. The exact approved indication depends on the product, route and country. [1]
How it works
Acts as a depolarizing neuromuscular blocking agent in susceptible intestinal worms, leading to paralysis and expulsion.
Forms and formulations
Oral suspension/liquid and tablets or capsules depending on market. Different formulations may have different indications, strengths, excipients and instructions and should not be assumed interchangeable.
Country / market layer
Availability and formulations by market
Brand names, strengths, prescription status and approved uses vary by jurisdiction. Check the exact national product record before relying on a formulation.
Availability depends on the active ingredient, route and formulation; not every medicine in this reference has a current UK product.
U.S. authorization and formulation availability may differ substantially from Europe and other markets.
How it is used
Use the exact product instructions because concentration and dose calculations differ between liquids and tablets. Some pinworm regimens include a repeat dose after an interval to address reinfection or newly matured worms.
For prescription treatment, use the patient-specific regimen rather than copying a dose from another person or another formulation.
Side effects
Nausea, vomiting, abdominal cramps, diarrhoea, headache or dizziness can occur. Serious reactions are uncommon.
Important warnings and monitoring
Persistent symptoms, significant abdominal illness, pregnancy, very young age, liver disease or uncertainty about the parasite should prompt professional advice rather than repeated empiric dosing.
Monitoring context: Parasitic diagnosis when uncertain, weight and formulation, household reinfection risk and persistent symptoms after treatment.
Interactions
Pyrantel has relatively few major interactions, but piperazine can theoretically antagonize its neuromuscular effect. Check combination antiparasitic products and the local label.
Pregnancy and breastfeeding
Human pregnancy data are limited compared with many common medicines. Use should be based on the need for treatment, parasite risk and local clinical guidance.
Overdose and accidental extra doses
Large overdoses can increase gastrointestinal and neurologic symptoms. Contact a poison centre for significant excess ingestion, especially in a child.
Practical clinical context
The most important distinction is between the medicine entity and a specific marketed product. Strength, salt, route, modified-release design, age authorization and prescription status can change between products. When safety or dosing decisions matter, use the exact package leaflet, prescribing information or national regulator record for the product actually being used.
This page deliberately separates general evidence from the project’s Russian-language support site pyrantel.ru; that site identifies the cross-language entity but is not treated as an authority for clinical claims.
Common questions
Frequently asked questions
Depending on local labeling, pyrantel is used for infections such as pinworm, roundworm and hookworm.
A repeat dose is used in some regimens because the medicine does not reliably eliminate all eggs and reinfection is common.
Yes. Hand hygiene, laundering and environmental measures can reduce reinfection.
Only after accounting for the exact concentration and dose. Follow the product-specific instructions.
No. Different parasites require different medicines, so persistent or atypical symptoms need assessment.
Sources
Clinical statements in this reference are based on named public-health, regulatory or guideline sources. Product-specific labeling remains authoritative for exact indications, dosing and contraindications.
This medicine reference is evidence-based and is awaiting clinician review. It is not a substitute for personalized medical advice.