From the FDA Drug Label
This product can be taken any time of day, with or without meals. It may be taken alone or with milk or fruit juice.
Yes, pyrantel pamoate can be taken with food, as it may be taken with or without meals 1.
From the Research
Pyrantel pamoate can be taken with or without food, but it is generally recommended to take it with food to help reduce potential stomach upset. The most recent and highest quality study, 2, published in 2022, evaluated the in vivo efficacy of pyrantel pamoate as a post-exposure prophylactic for rat lungworm (Angiostrongylus cantonensis) and demonstrated its effectiveness in reducing worm burden. However, this study does not specifically address the administration of pyrantel pamoate with or without food.
When taking pyrantel pamoate:
- Use the measuring device provided with the medication for accurate dosing
- Shake the liquid form well before each use
- Take the entire prescribed dose at one time Pyrantel pamoate works by paralyzing intestinal worms, allowing them to be expelled from the body. Taking it with food can help slow its passage through the digestive system, potentially increasing its effectiveness against the parasites while minimizing gastrointestinal side effects.
It is essential to note that pyrantel pamoate has limited absorption as a pamoate salt, suggesting its permanence and efficacy inside the gastrointestinal tract, where the adult stages of most parasitic nematodes reside, as reported in the study 3.
Remember to inform your healthcare provider about any other medications you're taking, as pyrantel pamoate can interact with certain drugs, particularly piperazine-based worm medications. The typical dose for adults and children over 2 years old is 11 mg per kg of body weight (or about 5 mg per pound), taken as a single dose, which can be repeated after 2 weeks if necessary, as guided by the example answer.
The studies 4, 5, and 6 provide additional information on the efficacy and safety of pyrantel pamoate, but they do not directly address the administration of the medication with or without food. Therefore, the recommendation to take pyrantel pamoate with food is based on general principles of minimizing gastrointestinal side effects and maximizing the medication's effectiveness.