Medicines for worms

introduction

Worm infestation is best known in the context of domestic animals, but humans can also harbor worms.
In medical terminology, worms are referred to as helminths, and the worm infestation as helminthosis. They are ingested with food or water and often affect organs of the digestive tract.

Read more on this topic at: Worms in the intestines

The worm infestation is not always very dangerous for humans; only some worm diseases can cause life-threatening complications. But they all have in common that they damage the organism, which is why the worm disease should be treated when the first signs appear. Symptoms of worm diseases are varied and primarily affect the digestive system. Anus itching, vomiting, nausea, diarrhea, constipation, loss of appetite, weight loss, abdominal pain and anemia can occur.

Which worms are pathogenic to humans?

Worm infestation is a worldwide disease, but it is more common in southern countries than in Germany. Children especially are affected by helmet pants because they put hands, which may have come into contact with worms while playing, into their mouths without washing. At Adults usually get worms through food transferred or from Vacation travel brought along.
The disease-causing worms come in two strains: Platelets to which flatworms belong, the medicinally called Trematodes (Flukes, flukes) and cestodes (tapeworms) are designated and Nemathelminths which include nematodes (roundworms). At first this sounds very abstract. But many colloquial names or terms give the whole thing a little more shape.

To the Trematodes in addition to the Schistosomatidae there are also numerous Leechesthat are in Gastrointestinal tract set, such as the Liver fluke (Infection of the liver and biliary tract) and the largest of all flukes pathogenic to humans, the Gut leech. The latter occurs only in Southeast Asia.
The also comes from East-Southeast Asia Lung flukewhich is transmitted through raw meat from crustaceans. In addition to the intestinal infestation, it also affects the lungs, the nervous system, the skin and the heart. The latter often ends fatally.
Probably the most prominent representative of this family is the leechthat is known from alternative therapy methods or ancient times. The leech infestation can cause bleeding in the mouth and nose.

The second strain that includes disease-causing worms are the Cestodes, colloquial Tapeworms called. This strain is known to kill the worms human intestine colonize and be transmitted in numerous different ways.
The names of the respective tapeworm species allow conclusions to be drawn about the transmission path. Of the Fish tapeworm is through the Consumption of raw infected freshwater fish transmitted, but is rare in Central Europe.
Other representatives are the Beef tapeworm and the Pork tapeworm. Man serves for Dog tapeworm usually only as an intermediate host, as a final host only the dog or cat is affected by the dog tapeworm. After all, the fox tapeworm is also a well-known and dangerous representative of this genus. The fox tapeworm loosens the alveolar Echinococcosis in the liver, which can lead to fatigue, abdominal pain and jaundice after a long incubation period.
The last group of disease-causing worms put the Roundworms there. These include trichinae, the roundworm and oxyurs. Hygiene measures as well as quality assurance measures in the form of a meat show for pork should prevent trichinae from infecting people via this transmission path. In the event of infection, they trigger rheumatoid-like symptoms.

What drugs are there to treat worms?

The drug groups are based on the superordinate classes to which the respective worms belong.
As a result, there are drugs that can be used in the group of platelets for suckers (trematodes) and tapeworms (cestodes). And there are medicines for the roundworms (nematodes) in nematode helminth infections.
The main active ingredients used against suckers and tapeworms are praziquantel, nicosamide, mebendazole and albendazole. They kill all of the worms, this is also called vermicidal.
The active ingredients also have in common that they may not be used during pregnancy and breastfeeding or only if the mother's life is acutely threatened if the therapy is not carried out. Roundworms are characterized by their thread-like body structure and can meander through muscles to move. At this point, the active ingredients against nematode infections attack and lead to muscle paralysis in the worms. Mebendazole, albendazole, pyrantel embonate and pyrvinium embonate are used.

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Which drugs are available without a prescription?

Some drugs that contain the active ingredient pyrvinium are available without a prescription. There are three drugs containing this active ingredient, which are available in different dosage forms.
These include Molevac coated tabletsthat at Pinworm infestation be used. However, Molevac can only with Children from 3 years and adolescents and adults. In addition to the dragees, there is also one Molevac suspension. In contrast to the dragees, the suspension can in children from one year be applied.
There is also the drug Pyrcon with the active ingredient Pyrvinium, which is also available as a suspension. The area of ​​application includes pinworm infestation just like Molevac; this suspension can also be used in children from one year of age, adolescents and adults.
In addition to the active ingredient Pyrvinium, that is also Drug Yomesanthat the Active ingredient niclosamide contains. It is used to treat infections with beef, pork and fish tapeworms together with a laxative drug.

Worm infections in children

It is especially important with children Worm infections by the Learning to avoid hygiene. It is important to teach children that the Hands washed before you eat with them or put them in your mouth.
The same goes for that Cleaning of fruits and vegetables before consumption. Furthermore, children should know that they should not eat berries or fruits from the forest without further ado, as this can also transfer worms.
If by parents Changes on her child or even in the child's chair should be noticed a A doctor should be consultedso that they can determine the type of worm and rule out other possible causes.
The therapy of the worm infection depends on the more precise Genus of worm. Possible active ingredients and the corresponding drugs are Mebendazole (Surfont, Vermox), Pyrantel (Helmex), Papain (Vermizyn for children), Pyrvinium (Molevac, Pyrcon)
Particularly with children, it is important to ensure that the Administration form corresponds to the age of the child. Specifically, this means that suspensions can usually be administered earlier than coated tablets, which children usually have to be older to take.