Helminths are found even in those people who follow all the rules of hygiene. Pets, public transport, undercooked food - all these factors can cause infection with worms. And then comes poor he alth, poor he alth and many other “side effects”. Worms are especially dangerous for a child's body. In this article, you can find a list of broad-spectrum anthelmintic drugs and read more about the most famous ones.
Helminths in the human body
Helminthiasis, or helminthic invasion, is a disease that occurs as a result of infection of the human body with worms. In nature, there are a huge number of them, and they have the ability to live in almost all tissues of the body. The most common type are helminths,transmitted through the soil. These include roundworms. They enter the body through unwashed fruits and vegetables, poorly cooked meat, or simply through dirty hands. Not without reason, in childhood, everyone was forced to wash their hands before eating - this is the most effective way to prevent infection with worms.
How do you know if you have worms in your body? In the early stages, it is almost impossible to do this without analysis. But you should be alert and see a doctor if you have the following symptoms:
- Groundless allergy.
- Deterioration in appearance: hair loss, brittle nails, dull skin.
- Rashes on the face and body.
- Diarrhea or vomiting.
- Anemia.
- Problems with the nervous system.
Toxins secreted by worms adversely affect the appearance of a person and his nervous system, so the sooner they are detected, the better. How can you eradicate them from your body?
Broad-spectrum anthelmintics
In Russia, the prevalence of helminthiases is not very strong, and they occur only in a small percentage of the population. All helminths can be divided into three large groups. When choosing an antihelminthic drug, you need to know exactly who you are going to poison:
- Roundworms and nematodes are the cause of the nematodosis. These include, for example, pinworms.
- Tapeworms (echinococcosis, etc.) cause cestodosis.
- Trematodes cause such helminthic invasion as trematodosis.
If you are not sure what type of worms you are infected with, then you should pay attention to broad-spectrum anthelmintic drugs. They work effectively against different types of parasites. Usually they are used in cases where intoxication from worms is very high and the body urgently needs to provide all possible assistance. What broad-spectrum anthelmintic drugs can be identified?
- "Nemozol".
- "Mebendazole".
- "Albendazole".
- Zentel.
But unfortunately, these deworming drugs have many side effects. All tablets from worms are toxic, but the above drugs affect the worms, which, when they die, release many toxins. To avoid poisoning the body, it is necessary to take sorbents at the same time.
Medicines for children
In modern pharmacies you can find a wide range of drugs for worms. A separate category is occupied by those drugs that can only be taken by adults. Due to the high toxicity of drugs, prescribing them to children is possible only after consultation with a specialist and tests. Even if your child may have worms, do not rush to buy all kinds of drugs from the shelves. Tests can accurately show if your child is suffering from helminthiasis.
In the event that the doctor has confirmed the presence of parasites, it is recommended to choose sparing products aimed at a specific group of worms. It is strongly not recommended to give babies anthelmintic drugsbroad spectrum for people, as they can significantly undermine the he alth of the child. For very young children, there are only a few options for antihelminthic drugs. These are Pirantel, Helmintox and Nemocide. They can be taken by children older than 6 months, but only under the supervision of doctors. Specialists without fail prescribe sorbents, among the recommendations there is also plenty of drinking and peace. What are the best anthelmintic drugs?
Drug "Decarix"
Decarix is considered one of the best medicines. This is a broad-spectrum anthelmintic drug for humans, which effectively kills almost all groups of worms. It affects the nervous system of the worm: it paralyzes it, as a result of which it cannot attach itself to the tissues of the body. This remedy should not be taken by children under three years of age, pregnant and lactating women. Produced in a package with one tablet, taken once. For children, the doctor prescribes the dosage. The drug costs 200 rubles. "Decarix" is produced in Hungary, reviews about it are positive. People write that the drug is easily tolerated and effectively copes with the task.
Vermox
"Vermox" is an anthelmintic drug that acts on a wide range of worms. It is prescribed for enterobiasis, ascariasis, trichinosis and other common diseases. It kills parasites by affecting the glucose utilization system and inhibits the production of cellular ATP. As a resultgetting rid of parasites is fast and effective. The drug does not remain in the human body, but can affect the liver and kidneys, which remove toxins due to the decay of the worms. Therefore, patients with renal or hepatic insufficiency should refrain from taking Vermox. The standard course includes three days of taking 2 times a day orally with a small amount of water. Vermox is almost half the price of Decarix, so people often use it to get rid of parasites.
Nemozol
"Nemozol" is one of the most popular anthelmintic drugs for adults. It is sold in bright colored packaging. The cost of 1 tablet is about 400 rubles. Produced in India, sold by prescription only. Such strict restrictions are associated with the high toxicity of the drug: it should not be taken by children, pregnant women, people with retinal damage and disruption of internal organs. Reviews about this anthelmintic drug for people are a little contradictory: among them you can find both positive and negative. People complain of dizziness, nausea, and malfunctioning of the liver. Nevertheless, "Nemozol" is very effective in killing worms, especially cestode larvae and nematodes. Doctors prescribe this medicine for severe cases of parasite infestation:
- with echinococcosis of the liver, lungs, peritoneum;
- strongyloidiasis;
- mixed helminthic infestations.
Pirantel
"Pirantel" is alsoone popular antihelminthic that works against a range of parasites:
- pinworms;
- Ascaris;
- hookworm.
The drug can affect the muscles of the worms, causing them to become paralyzed. In this case, the drug is ineffective against larvae that remain intact. "Pirantel" can be used in childhood, if the weight of the child is more than 12 kilograms. A significant difference between this medicine is the presence of a form in the form of a suspension for children. For older children, there are 125 mg tablets, and for adults, you can purchase a full dosage of 250 mg. There are several analogues of the drug on the Russian market. Among them are the French medicine "Helmintoks" and "Nemocide" of Indian production. Regardless of the brand, the antihelminthic drug receives good reviews and high praise from customers.
Levamisole
Means that have been tested by time are very popular among the people. They still have excellent efficiency, not inferior to modern analogues. One such miracle cure is levamisole hydrochloride. It costs mere pennies, but it is very effective. The drug was first produced in 1966, and since then it has often been used to get rid of parasites in children and adults. He even received inclusion in a special list of medicines vital for humans, which is compiled by WHO. An effective anthelmintic drug disrupts the energy system of parasites, paralyzing them, causing them toexcreted naturally within a day after taking the medicine.
But with the side effects of Levamisole, not everything is so rosy. The drug was even banned in the United States and Canada as too toxic to the human body. "Levamisole" has a strong effect on the gastrointestinal tract, causing nausea, vomiting and diarrhea. Also, problems can begin with the nervous system.
Mebendazole
"Mebendazole" is also worthy of attention. It was synthesized in the 70s of the last century and managed to gain universal confidence. It is effective against many groups of worms, it is often used for mixed worm infestations. The drug affects the production of glucose and ATP in the body of worms, removing them from the body very quickly. The drug is prescribed for enterobiasis, ascariasis and infection with rarer forms of parasites. The standard dosage of one tablet is 100 mg. This dose can be taken by adults, but not by children, so Mebendazole is usually not prescribed to them. As for adults, doctors prescribe the medicine twice a day, three days in a row. Reviews of the anthelmintic drug are mostly positive. People note high efficiency and almost complete absence of influence on the body. True, after taking, many have to drink probiotics to restore intestinal microflora. The drug itself is relatively inexpensive: only 70-100 rubles per package, which makes it affordable for the general population.
Pros and cons of taking drugs
Among people there is a belief that 90% of the population is infected with worms. However, official statistics do not confirm this. On the territory of Russia, due to the rather cool climate, it is difficult to become infected with parasites. The risk group includes pet owners, children and people who do not follow basic hygiene. Very often, enterobiasis is infected in the summer, when there are a lot of vegetables and fruits on the shelves, and the heat contributes to the reproduction of parasites.
If parasites are found in your body, you probably want to get rid of them. Modern anthelmintic drugs effectively destroy unwanted "guests", but at the same time they have a certain effect on the human body. The most toxic among the entire line are drugs based on levamisole. They, as a rule, affect a wide range of parasites, and because of this, rather potent components also affect the internal organs of a person. They are strictly forbidden to be taken by children and pregnant and lactating mothers. The least dangerous modern remedy is Piperazine. It is prescribed even for children up to a year. The best option, if you want to effectively influence several groups of parasites, would be Albendazole or Mebendazole.
How do I take dewormers?
As a rule, with helminthiasis, doctors prescribe a single dose of the drug. This is the starting dose to start with. Further medication depends on the type of worms and their number. If athe infection is extensive, then you need to drink the whole course from 3 to 8 days. Simultaneously with the intake of anthelmintic drugs, sorbents and probiotics are prescribed. Sorbents ("Smekta", "Polifepan") contribute to the removal of toxins from the intestines, which are formed during the death of parasites. Without this auxiliary means, all harmful substances are absorbed into the walls of the intestine and poison the body. Probiotics are needed to restore the natural microflora, which is disturbed during the persecution of parasites. The fact is that most of them are based in the intestinal lumen, eating useful substances that enter the human body.
Among the side effects of broad-spectrum anthelmintic drugs are nausea, vomiting, dizziness, headaches, blurred vision, and in severe cases, kidney and liver failure. Nevertheless, worms, remaining for a long time in the human body, have a devastating effect on it. Roundworms, for example, first settle in the intestinal section, and then their larvae penetrate the bloodstream into other organs. Worms can be deadly if no action is taken. Therefore, anthelmintic drugs, even the strongest ones, are much safer than colonies of parasites in the body.
Doctors advice
What do experts advise when taking anthelmintic drugs? Preparations are best taken in the morning, when the intestines have not yet had time to overflow with food. If the group of worms is not precisely established, then several drugs can be used at once, which have an effect on an extensivethe number of parasites. In no case should you drink alcohol while taking medication for worms - this mixture can permanently poison your liver. Do not self-medicate and self-diagnose - it is better to visit a competent specialist. The risk of becoming infected with helminths is highest in summer and autumn, when there are a lot of seasonal vegetables and fruits on the market and in stores, and summer residents bring a rich harvest from their possessions. People who are especially sensitive about their he alth at this time can be treated prophylactically for helminths, but this should be done with the help of sparing remedies or traditional medicine. If you still had worms, then a few weeks after the first course, doctors recommend going through a second one. The fact is that antihelminthic drugs do not affect the larvae of the worms. And just after a short time, when they become active, repeated medication destroys the last of them.
Prevention
In the treatment of worms, not only drugs are needed, but also the prevention of re-infection. Agree, what's the point of poisoning your body with chemistry if everything happens again in a couple of weeks? Therefore, when taking anthelmintic drugs, and even after that, you must follow a number of simple rules:
- Wash hands after going to the toilet and before eating. If you frequently use public transport, avoid touching your face with dirty hands and always carry a small bottle of antibacterial with you.
- Underwear should be changed every day, washed at a temperature not lower than 90degrees and iron on both sides with an iron. To achieve the maximum effect, you need to do the same with bed linen.
- Wet cleaning floors and all horizontal surfaces can reduce the risk of re-infection with worms. Mud carried on boots from the street may contain larvae of harmful parasites.
- Using personal hygiene products will protect your loved ones from contracting the same disease.
Folk remedies
Some people prefer to use the natural remedies that nature has provided us instead of pharmaceuticals. These include:
- Pumpkin seeds have long been an excellent anthelmintic drug for prevention. They contain a special oil that can affect the body of tapeworms. With respect to other groups of parasites, this folk remedy is ineffective, so it is better to use it as an auxiliary component.
- Tansy flowers have a good anthelmintic effect. In folk medicine, inflorescences are usually used, which are dried and brewed. The prepared infusion is drunk for several weeks two to three times a day. At the end of the course, it is necessary to take tests in order to make sure that the parasites are finished. This method is safe for he alth and does not cause any side effects, but may not be effective enough.
Helminthiasis is a dangerous disease that should not be ignored. But treatment should be prescribed only by a qualified specialist. Then your body will remain he althy, and the side effects will not affect you.
