Anti-helminthic Drugs are medicines that rid the body of parasitic worms.
Purpose
People can become infected with parasitic worms in a number of ways. The
eggs of pin worms, for example, can be transferred from person to person
through contaminated food, drinking glasses, clothing, or linens.
Tape worms and round worms may enter the body when people eat undercooked
meat or fish. The worms then live inside the body and may go unnoticed if
they cause no troublesome symptoms. However, if they multiply rapidly or
invade a vital organ, they can cause serious and sometimes life-threatening
problems. The body has no natural means of getting rid of parasitic worms,
but Anti-helminthic Drugs do the job very well. Some kill the worms on
contact. Others starve or paralyze the worms, which then pass out of the
body in the feces.
Each type of Anti-helminthic Drug is effective against particular kinds of
worms. For example, Niclosamide is effective against tapeworms, but will not
work for treating pin worm or round worm infections.
Description
Anti-Helminthic Drugs are available only with a physician's prescription.
They are sold as liquids and tablets (regular and chewable). Some commonly
used Anti-Helminthics are Mebendazole, Niclosamide, Praziquantel, Pyrantel
and Thiabendazole.