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Pyrantel Data - Uses, Dosage, Drug class, Brand name, Warnings, etc



Pharmacology Pyrantel, an anthelmintic, acts as a depolarizing neuromuscular blocker, causing spastic paralysis of parasites by inhibiting acetylcholinesterases, with no similar effects on the host after oral administration.
Administration and Adult Dosage - PO for pinworms or roundworms: 11 mg/kg (max 1 g) as a single dose; repeat in 2 weeks for pinworms
- PO for Moniliformis: 11 mg/kg 3 times at 2-week intervals
- PO for hookworms or eosinophilic enterocolitis: 11 mg/kg/day (max 1 g) for 3 days
- Doses expressed as base equivalent
Special Populations - Pediatric Dosage - <2 yr: Safety and efficacy not established
- ≥2 yr: Same as adult dosage
Special Populations - Geriatric Dosage Same as adult dosage.
Dosage Forms - Capsule: 180 mg (62.5 mg as pyrantel base)
- Liquid: 50 mg/mL (as pamoate base)
- Suspension: 50 mg/mL (as pamoate base)
Patient Instructions - Take as directed; for pinworms, repeat dose in 2 weeks
- May be taken with or without food
- Report nausea, vomiting, or rash to your physician
Missed Doses - Take missed dose as soon as remembered; if near next dose, take only that dose; do not double dose
Pharmacokinetics - Fate - Absorption: Slightly absorbed orally
- Excretion: >50% unchanged in feces; <15% as parent drug and metabolites in urine
Adverse Reactions & Side Effects Occasional:
- Nausea, vomiting, headaches, dizziness, rash, transient AST elevations
Contraindications - Liver disease
Precautions & Warnings - Avoid during pregnancy
Drug Interactions - Piperazine and pyrantel may be mutually antagonistic in ascariasis
Class and Drug Brand Name - Class: Anthelmintics
- Brand Names: Pin-X, Reese’s Pinworm Medicine, Various
Notes - Virtually 100% effective for pinworms; also effective for Moniliformis
- Alternative to other drugs for roundworms, hookworms, eosinophilic enterocolitis
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