Deworming is the main treatment step to treat intestinal worms. However, the side effects of deworming are generally different and are not even recommended for consumption by people with certain conditions. Therefore, you should not carelessly take this drug.
Most cases of intestinal worms occur in tropical countries or developing countries where environmental hygiene is not maintained. Fortunately, this disease can be treated by taking worm medicine or also called worms anthelmintic.
However, deworming medicine should be taken after consulting a doctor to ensure its effectiveness and safety. This is because deworming drugs can provide different side effects.
Types and Side Effects of Worm Medicine
The following are some of the most commonly used deworming drugs and their side effects:
1. mebendazole
mebendazole commonly used to treat intestinal worms caused by infections of roundworms, hookworms, pinworms, and whipworms. This deworming medicine works by preventing the worms from absorbing sugar or glucose from the body, so the worms will not get food and die.
Patients with liver disease or disorders of the bone marrow are advised to be careful if you want to take this drug. Breastfeeding mothers and children under the age of 2 are also advised not to consume mebendazole.
Anthelmintic mebendazole has some side effects, such as skin rash, bloating, stomach upset, diarrhea, loss of appetite, vomiting, and dizziness.
However, go to the doctor immediately if you experience swelling of the tongue or face, fever, difficulty swallowing, and pain in the eyes, nose, mouth, and genital area after taking this medicine.
2. Praziquantel
Praziquantel used to treat infections caused by flatworms that are in the liver or bloodstream. This drug works by making the worm's muscles spasm and paralyze. Dead worms will be removed from the body through feces.
Side effects praziquantel rash, fever, nausea, and headache. However, go to the doctor immediately if you experience cold sweats, skin irritation, difficulty concentrating, seizures, stomach cramps, irregular heartbeat, difficulty breathing, or swelling of the face, lips, tongue, and throat.
Be sure to tell your doctor if you have any other medical problems, especially heart disease or heart rhythm disorders, a history of seizures, kidney disease, and liver problems before taking this medicine.
3. Niclosamide
Niclosamide It is used to treat infections caused by fish tapeworms, dwarf tapeworms, and beef tapeworms. This drug works by killing tapeworms and is excreted from the body along with the feces.
Deworming side effects niclosamide usually do not require medical treatment. However, do not hesitate to contact your doctor if you experience cramps or abdominal pain, diarrhea, loss of appetite, nausea or vomiting, dizziness, itching in the anal area, and skin rash after taking this medicine.
4. piperazine
piperazine It is used to treat roundworm and pinworm infections. This drug works by immobilizing the worms so that they can be excreted in the feces. The effect of this drug may be affected by certain diseases, such as kidney disease, liver disease, or epilepsy.
Deworming side effects piperazine usually do not require medical treatment. However, immediately consult a doctor or the nearest hospital if you experience blurred vision, tingling, fever, joint pain, and rash or itching after taking this medicine.
5. Pyrantel
Pyrantel used to treat roundworms, hookworms, and pinworms in the body by being paralyzed, then removed from the body through feces. This drug has side effects such as cramping or stomach pain, diarrhea, dizziness, headache, loss of appetite, nausea or vomiting, and difficulty sleeping.
To prevent the growth of worms from the body, you are advised to wash your hands frequently before eating and after using the toilet and to keep the environment clean. In addition, make sure the water you drink is clean and boiled.
The government also appealed to the public to regularly take worm medicine as a step to prevent intestinal worms.
To get the right deworming medicine, you can consult a doctor. You are also advised to immediately consult a doctor if you experience side effects after taking worm medicine.
