Albendazole: How long does it take to kill all the pinworms? (2024)

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Nov 2, 2023.

Treatment with Albendazole is a single tablet, which kills the worms. There are different strengths for adults and children younger than two years of age.

Because eggs can survive for a few weeks, the patient will have to take a second dose two weeks later to lessen the chance of reinfection.

Albendazole (Albenza) is the most common treatment for pinworms.

Pinworm (Enterobius vermicularis) infections are extremely common. Although any individual may develop a case of pinworms, the infection occurs most frequently in school children between 5 to 10 years of age. Pinworm infections occur in all socioeconomic groups; however, human-to-human spread is favored by close, crowded living conditions. Spread among family members is common. Animals do not harbor pinworms - humans are the only natural host for this parasite.

The most common symptom of pinworms is an itchy rectal area. Symptoms are worse at night when the female worms are most active and crawl out of the anus to deposit their eggs. Although pinworm infections can be annoying, they rarely cause serious health problems and are usually not dangerous. Therapy with routine prescription medications provides an effective cure in almost all cases.

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Albendazole: How long does it take to kill all the pinworms? (2024)

FAQs

Albendazole: How long does it take to kill all the pinworms? ›

Because the intestines, where the worms live, are quite long it may take up to 3 days before you start to feel relief after taking Albenza.

How long does it take to fully get rid of pinworms? ›

Medication is available to kill the worms and this is usually prescribed for the person who is infected and all other members of the household. One dose may be followed up with a second dose 2 weeks later to take care of any surviving worms.

Does albendazole kill all worms? ›

Albendazole is a broad spectrum anthelmintic, also used off-label in many different types of worm infections. Albendazole kills adult parasitic worms and their larvae by making degenerative changes in their external surface (tegument) and intestinal cells.

How many doses of albendazole should be taken for pinworms? ›

Usual Pediatric Dose for Pinworm Infection (Enterobius vermicularis) AAP recommendations: Children less than 20 kg: 200 mg orally as a single dose; repeat in 2 weeks. Children at least 20 kg: 400 mg orally as a single dose; repeat in 2 weeks.

How long does it take for dewormer to kill all the worms? ›

Key facts. You'll usually take mebendazole as a single dose to treat threadworms, but you might need to take it for around 3 days for some other types of worm infection. It starts to work straight away but it may take several days to kill all the worms.

Will I see dead pinworms after treatment? ›

Yes, it is normal to see dead threadworms in the persons bowel motions. Depending on the frequency of bathroom visits this can take up to one week. Symptoms of threadworm infection usually disappear within one week of treatment. Threadworms are highly contagious.

How do you get rid of pinworms completely? ›

To treat pinworm infection, your doctor may recommend over-the-counter pyrantel pamoate or prescribe medication to all members of your household to prevent infection and reinfection. The most common prescription anti-parasite medications for pinworms are: Mebendazole. Albendazole (Albenza)

Can pinworms survive albendazole? ›

Treatment with Albendazole is a single tablet, which kills the worms. There are different strengths for adults and children younger than two years of age. Because eggs can survive for a few weeks, the patient will have to take a second dose two weeks later to lessen the chance of reinfection.

How fast does albendazole work? ›

The time taken for Albendazole 400 MG Tablet to show its effect is 2-5 hours of its intake.

What is the success rate of albendazole? ›

Albendazole is an orally administered broad-spectrum anthelmintic with variable therapeutic efficacy. It is poorly absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract because of its low aqueous solubility, and it has a cure rate of 36% to 75%.

Can one albendazole enough? ›

Historically, single-dose albendazole therapy has shown adequate efficacy in the treatment of human hookworm infections with moderately high cure rates16,17,18.

How often can you repeat albendazole? ›

USES: This medication is used to treat certain tapeworm infections (such as neurocysticercosis and hydatid disease). HOW TO USE: Take this medication by mouth with meals as directed by your doctor, usually 1 to 2 times daily.

What not to eat after taking albendazole? ›

Other medications (such as corticosteroids, anti-seizure medications) may also be prescribed for your current condition. Take those medications exactly as directed by your doctor. Avoid eating grapefruit or drinking grapefruit juice while using this medication unless your doctor or pharmacist says you may do so safely.

How do you know if worms are all gone? ›

The medicine will either kill the adult worms or cause you to poop them out. But they won't kill the eggs, which can still cause infections. You'll probably need to give your doctor a stool sample for a few months to make sure all the tapeworms are gone.

How long does it take to fully get rid of worms? ›

Treatment to get rid of worms

If you have worms, your GP will prescribe medicine to kill them. You take this for one to three days. The people you live with may also need to be treated. Any worms in your gut will eventually pass out in your poo.

How do you know if pinworm medicine is working? ›

After taking the pinworm medicine, itching should stop in 5 to 7 days.

What happens if pinworms don't go away? ›

UTIs can develop if you do not treat the pinworm infection. Vaginitis and endometritis. Endometritis infections can occur if pinworms travel from the anus to the vagin*, affecting the uterus, fallopian tubes, and other pelvic organs. Abdominal pain.

What is the lifespan of a pinworm? ›

Females survive for 5 to 13 weeks, and males about 7 weeks. The male and female pinworms mate in the ileum (last part of the small intestine), whereafter the male pinworms usually die, and are passed out with stool.

What cleaner kills pinworm eggs? ›

Bactericidal, fungicidal, virucidal and sporicidal in 1 min, Contec ProChlor V is one of the fastest-acting disinfectants available for the lab animal market. Uniquely, Contec ProChlor V will also eliminate 95% of Syphacia spp pinworm eggs in 10 minutes.

What to expect after taking pinworm medicine? ›

Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, stomach/abdominal cramps, headache, drowsiness, dizziness, trouble sleeping, or loss of appetite may occur. If any of these effects last or get worse, tell your doctor or pharmacist promptly.

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