Melphin

Pyrantel Pamoate is given orally at anytime without regard to ingestion of food or beverages. A single dose of 11 mg/kg body weight, to a maximum of 1 gm, should be given to treat infestations caused by the parasites mentioned above. In the case of Pinworm, it is often wise to repeat the dose after an interval of 2 weeks.

Pyrantel Pamoate is well tolerated in recommended dosage. When given in large dosage, Pyrantel Pamoate may cause gastrointestinal upset such as anorexia, nausea, vomiting and diarrhoea. Other side effects that may occur in rare occasions are headache, dizziness and rash.

Pyrantel pamoate acts as a depolarizing neuromuscular blocking agent, thereby causing sudden contraction, followed by paralysis, of the helminths. This has the result of causing the worm to "lose its grip" on the intestinal wall and be passed out of the system by natural process. Since Pyrantel is poorly absorbed by the host's intestine, the host is unaffected by the small dosage of medication used. Spastic (tetanic) paralyzing agents, in particular pyrantel pamoate, may induce complete intestinal obstruction in a heavy worm load. This obstruction is usually in the form of a worm impaction and happens when a very small, but heavily parasitized animal is treated and tries to pass a large number of dislodged worms at once. Worms usually pass in normal stool or with diarrhea, straining, and occasional vomiting.

Since Pyrantel Pamoate and Piperazine appear to be mutually antagonistic, Pyrantel Pamoate should not be given together with Piperazine. Pyrantel Pamoate should be kept out of the reach of children.

Anthelmintic