Pyrvinium

Pyrvinium is a prescription-only medicine used exclusively to eradicate intestinal pinworms (enterobiasis). It falls under a class of medicines called anthelmintics.

Before using Pyrvinium, you must know all about the risks and complications associated with it. Together with your doctor, you can decide whether the medication will do you more goods than the harms.

Here are some factors to be considered before deciding to use this medicine:

Allergies: Inform your doctor about the allergies you have, such as to this medication, other medications, or to foods, dyes, or preservatives.

Pediatric: Though generally safe for use in children, pyrvinium should be used cautiously in children weighing less than 10 kilograms. Also, large doses of the medicine used in older children may cause abdominal problems.

Geriatric: It may be used in elderly after assessing risks and benefits of the use.

Breastfeeding: Use only after assessing potential risks and perceived benefits.

Drug Interactions: Taking two medicines together can be harmful due to possible interactions. In other cases, even if there is a possible interaction between two medicines your doctor may advise you to take them together after adjusting the dose or issuing precautions. Inform you doctor about your intake of any other prescription or nonprescription medicine.

Other Interactions: Taking your medicine together with certain foods or items such as alcohol or tobacco may cause undesirable interactions. Talk to your doctor to know if using this medicine with food, alcohol, or tobacco is safe.

Medical Problems: Certain medical conditions might influence the effects (both positive and adverse) and action of pyrvinium. DO NOT forget to inform your doctor about any other health problems that you have.

To use Pyrvinium properly, you must follow all instructions given by your doctor, and don’t take more, for longer or more frequently than recommended.

You do not need to specially prepare before, during or immediately after taking this medicine.

Read the package insert carefully and follow accordingly. For any query, consult your doctor. Take the exact recommended dose by using a special measuring spoon.

Pinworms are notorious for their easy transmission from one person to another. Make sure all your family members are given the medicine at the same time so that chances of infection or reinfection are reduced.

You and your family members may need a repeat treatment in 2 to 3 weeks, to completely eradicate the worms. Remember doses can be different for different members based on body weight.

Dosing: For best results, follow your doctor to know what amount of medicine you should take in a single dose.

The doses of a medicine can differ according to the conditions for which it is being prescribed, your age and your overall health status. Remember your doses can differ. Consult your doctor if you have anything to ask.

Adults and children: Your doctor will calculate the dose on the basis of the body weight. A single dose of the medicine is followed by a repeat dose in 2 to 3 weeks.

Storage:

• Store in a closed container at room temperature.
• Keep away from heat, moisture, and direct light.
• Do not freeze.
• Keep away from children.
• Discard any unused or expired medicines.

In using Pyrvinium, you must be careful and take some precautions as advised by your doctor. Consult your doctor if your condition does seem to respond to the treatment. Your skin may be excessively sensitive to light while using this medicine.

Here are some measures to protect your skin from the sunlight:

• Do not expose to direct sunlight, during the day from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., if possible.
• Protect your skin from sunlight by wearing a hat, sunglasses or other appropriate clothing.
• Use a sunscreen with SPF 15 or more, or as required depending upon your skin type.
• For the lips, you can use a sunblock lipstick with SPF 15 or more.
• Avoid using a sunlamp, or tanning bed or booth.
• Consult your doctor if develop a severe reaction from the sun.

Recurrence of pinworm infestation is not unusual. To prevent this, you can properly wash all your bedding and nightdresses (pajamas) after treatment.

As with many medications, there are several potential side effects associated with Pyrvinium.

Consult your doctor immediately if you have the following rare but serious side effect:

• Rashes on the skin

Mild and non-serious side effects usually go away on their own without requiring medical intervention. You may also ask your doctor to learn more about how you may prevent or reduce the side effects.

Talk to your doctor if the side effects persist or worry you, including:

Rare:

• Diarrhea
• Nausea and vomiting
• Skin becoming more sensitive to the sunlight
• Stomach cramps

As pyrvinium is a dye, it can redden your stool, vomit or clothing. Do not panic as this is normal.

The side effects of the medicine are not limited to the ones listed above. Call your doctor immediately if you experience any side effects that are uncommon or worry you. To report side effects to the FDA, contact at 1-800-FDA-1088.