From the Guidelines
The best medication for pinworms in children is mebendazole, which can be given as a single 100 mg dose, as recommended by recent guidelines 1. When treating pinworms in kids, it's essential to consider the most effective and safe options.
- Mebendazole is a commonly used medication for pinworms, and its effectiveness has been supported by recent studies 1.
- The typical dose of mebendazole for pinworms is 100 mg, given as a single dose, which is easy to administer and has a high cure rate.
- It's also important to note that mebendazole works by paralyzing the worms, allowing them to be passed in stool, and a second dose may be recommended 2 weeks after the first to kill any newly hatched worms.
- In addition to medication, thorough handwashing, daily showers, changing underwear and bedding daily, and washing all bedding and clothing in hot water are essential to prevent reinfection, as pinworms spread through eggs that can survive on surfaces 1.
- Treatment should include all household members simultaneously, even those without symptoms, as pinworm infections are highly contagious.
- Other medications like albendazole and ivermectin may also be effective against other types of worms, but mebendazole is specifically recommended for pinworms in children 1.
From the FDA Drug Label
Mebendazole tablets are indicated for the treatment of Enterobius vermicularis (pinworm), Trichuris trichiura (whipworm), Ascaris lumbricoides (common roundworm), Ancylostoma duodenale (common hookworm), Necator americanus (American hookworm) in single or mixed infections. Efficacy rates derived from various studies are shown in the table below: Pinworm (enterobiasis) Cure rates mean 95% The same dosage schedule applies to children and adults. Pinworm (enterobiasis) Dose 1 tablet, once
The best medication for pinworms in kids is mebendazole (PO), with a cure rate of 95% 2. The recommended dose for children is 1 tablet, once 2.
From the Research
Medications for Pinworms in Kids
The following medications are commonly used to treat pinworms in kids:
- Mebendazole (100 mg) 3, 4, 5, 6, 7
- Pyrantel pamoate (11 mg/kg, maximum 1 g) 3, 4, 5, 6, 7
- Albendazole (400 mg) 3, 5, 7
Treatment Regimen
These medications are typically given in a single dose and repeated in two weeks 3, 4. Mebendazole and albendazole are both adulticidal and ovicidal, whereas pyrantel pamoate is only adulticidal 3.
Considerations
Treatment of all household members should be considered, especially if there are multiple or repeated symptomatic infections 3, 4. Good personal hygiene, such as frequent handwashing, is also important in preventing reinfection 3. For pregnant women, pyrantel is preferred to mebendazole and albendazole 3.
Efficacy
The cure rates for these medications are: