(For veterinary information only)
WARNING
The size of the tablet/medication is NOT an indication of a proper dose. Never administer any drug without your veterinarian's input. Serious side effects or death can occur if you use drugs on your pet without your veterinarian's advice.
It is our policy not to give dosing information over the Internet.
Brand Name: Strongid; Nemex; Pin-X; Numerous Others
Available as 22.7 mg and 13.5 mg tablets and oral suspension (the active ingredient is suspended in a drinkable liquid)
Background
To remove parasites from the body, the biological differences between worm and mammal are exploited. In the case of members of the roundworm family (the ascarid worms), the parasitic worm is attached to the host’s intestine by its tiny teeth and/or suckers. Pyrantel acts as a neuromuscular blocker so that the parasite relaxes its grip; it paralyzes the worm so that it loses its attachment. The worm is then passed with the feces into the cold, cruel world.
Outside of the host’s protective body, the worm soon dies. Because the medication is absorbed poorly from the host’s intestine, the host is completely unaffected by the paralysis effect. It also helps that the host is substantially larger than the parasite, thus the small amounts of medication needed to remove parasites are not of concern to the mammal host.
How this Medication is Used
Pyrantel pamoate is effective against numerous parasitic worms:
Pyrantel pamoate is also used in horses, cattle, sheep, pigs, and many other species. When a new puppy or kitten is adopted and has been said to have been dewormed, chances are it is this product that was used. Pyrantel pamoate is not effective against whipworms or tapeworms. Larval roundworms and hookworms migrate through the host's body before completing their development in the host's intestine. Only the worms in the intestine are vulnerable to pyrantel pamoate. In order to address the worms in the process of migration, the deworming must be repeated after these worms have had the opportunity to reach the intestine. This means that there must be a second deworming 2 to 4 weeks after the first deworming and possibly even a third deworming 2 to 4 weeks after that.
Pyrantel pamoate should be stored at room temperature, away from light. If a dose in the deworming schedule is accidentally skipped, simply give the dose when it is remembered.
Side Effects
Worms are frequently passed with some diarrhea, straining, and sometimes vomiting. A heavily parasitized very small animal may suffer a worm impaction when a large number of worms die and try to pass out at the same time. This is an unusual possibility but be aware of it if you are using pyrantel pamoate in small animals. The Companion Animal Parasite Council recommends that puppies and kittens be dewormed as young as two weeks of age.
Interactions With Other Drugs
It is recommended that the following drugs not be used with pyrantel pamoate as they increase side effects potential: levamisole, morantel, or piperazine (all are other dewormers) or with organophosphate insecticides.
Concerns And Cautions
- Pyrantel pamoate is safe to use in pregnancy and lactation and is frequently used in these situations to minimize the worm burdens of neonatal animals.
- Roundworms are relatively large (inches in length) and may be passed alive and with some ability to feebly move. The owner of the dewormed pet should be mentally prepared for this visual.
It is our policy not to give dosing information over the Internet.