A Detailed Guide On Worm Medicine For Humans

Although there are various worm medicines for humans available on the market, we will focus on the finest of them in this article.

Intestinal worms, also called Helminths, live inside the human body and feed off of the sugar and starch present in the body. 

Intestinal worms are large multicellular organisms visible to the naked eye.

As stated by the CDC, the average size of these worms can vary between 15cms and 35cms.

These worms are common in tropical regions. Although, some types are very prominent in the US as well.

World Health Organization states that approximately 1.5 billion people have intestinal worms living in their bodies. 

However, only a fraction of these people are adults, and most of the infections occur in children.

Many advancements in worm medicines for humans have taken place in the last few decades.

The most commonly used worm medicines for humans are Albendazole and Mebendazole.

Types of worms

The three types of worms that are most common in humans are Tapeworms, Roundworms, and Flukeworms.

Tapeworms

Tapeworms are segmented and flat, and their infestation in humans is usually mild, with very few adult parasites.

These parasites can contaminate the human body if you accidentally ingest food or water infected with Tapeworms or eggs.

These intestinal worms can live inside the human body for 30 years if left untreated.

According to Mayo Clinic, adult worms can be as long as 25 meters. 

Roundworms

Roundworms (Nematodes) are cylindrical in shape.

This parasite can cause stomach pain, fever, and diarrhea. 

Roundworm eggs are present in soil or an animal’s stool.

The most common Roundworm in the United States is the pinworm, which is known to infect billions around the globe.

Flukeworms

There are more than 70 types of Flukes that can live in humans.

Most humans infected with Flukeworms catch the infection by consuming contaminated food or water.

Their size varies from a quarter-inch to several inches long. 

Flukes are primarily present in Asia. 

Causes of intestinal parasites

The most common cause of parasitic intestinal infection in humans is the consumption of undercooked meat of animals that are already infected.

Other common causes are:

• Poor hygiene
• Poor sanitation
• Direct contact with contaminated animal stool

Children and tweens are at a higher risk of contracting these parasites.

Common symptoms of intestinal worm infection

There are more than a dozen intestinal parasites, and their symptoms vary.

However, the most common signs of these worms include:

• Diarrhea
• Stomach Pain
• Fatigue
• Gas or bloating
• Dysentery(diarrhea containing mucus or blood)
•  Weight loss
• Passing worms in your stool
• Constipation

Nevertheless, some parasites can live in the human body without showing signs or symptoms.

If you find out you have intestinal worms in your stomach, get rid of them as soon as possible. 

For more information go through our article: How to Get Rid of Worms and Parasites?

Do you need worm medicine?

If you have worms in your body, you should take worm medicines for humans.

To check if you have any worms in your body, the first thing you can do is look for worms in your stool. Pinworms are white and look like tiny cotton threads.

Worms, especially pinworms, can be seen around the anal region, where they lay eggs during the night. They can also be present in bedsheets and undergarments a few hours after sleeping.

The most common tests to check for worms are:

• Tape Test- In a tape test, the doctor will ask you to apply clean white tape to your anus and gently remove it. Any eggs or larvae on the anus will stick to the tape, which the doctor later checks under a microscope.

• Stool Test- As the name suggests, a doctor will ask you for a specimen of your stool in a stool test. Later, the doctor will examine the stool under a microscope and check for worms, larvae, or eggs laid by these worms.

If you test positive for any checkups, you will have to take worm medicine for humans like Zentel. 

Although, if you don’t want to go for medicines, check out our article on How To Get Rid of Worms in Humans Without Medication?

What are natural dewormers?

Here are a few natural dewormers that can help you get rid of intestinal parasites:

• Foods like carrots, lettuce, spinach, tomatoes, etc., containing beta carotene, are a highly effective natural cure for worms. Our body transforms beta carotene into Vitamin A, and Vitamin A helps kill the eggs living in the stomach

• Garlic, when ingested raw, kills existing eggs in your gut

• Coconut oil consists of caprylic acid, which has anti-bacterial and anti-viral properties. Coconut water cools down the body and clears toxins from the gut

• Pumpkin seeds and papaya seeds are also very helpful in killing the parasitic eggs living in our guts

If you want to know about more foods that can help you get rid of these intestinal tyrants, you can read our article: 7 Foods That Kill Intestinal Parasites In Humans

Common worm medicine for humans

Various worm medicines are available for humans to eliminate these parasites.

The primary worm medicines usually given to patients are as follows:

• Albendazole (Zentel worm medicine)

• Mebendazole

• Praziquantel and Ivermectin

Ivermectin eliminates problems caused by intestinal parasites and not the parasites themselves.

Zentel (Albendazole) and Mebendazole are a few of the most trusted worm medicines for humans.

If you want to know more about Zentel medicine, check out our article on What is Zentel (Albendazole) Used For?

Albendazole vs Mebendazole

The National Library of Medicine stated that both Albendazole and Mebendazole had a cure rate of 100% in treating ascariasis (a type of roundworm infection). 

Although, Albendazole was way more effective against hookworms, with a cure rate of 81.8% against Mebendazole’s meager 17.2%.

In addition, the egg reduction rate with Albendazole was at 92.8% against Mebendazole’s 62.4%.

Even though there are a lot of medicines circling the market, one of the most researched and trusted medicines is Albendazole (Zentel).

For further assistance, you can go through our detailed article on Albendazole vs. Mebendazole. 

For how long should you take Zentel worm medicine?

The most common dose for adults is two Zentel pills at once.

Follow the direction label on the medicine. If you have any concerns, resolve them with your doctor or pharmacist.

Although, before consuming Zentel, it would be best if you consult with a doctor. 

Zentel (Albendazole) and Mebendazole are a few of the most trusted worm medicines for humans.

Side effects caused by worm medicines

Most people consuming medicines like Zentel pills do not seem to have any side effects. 

Anyway, most side effects associated with worm medicine for humans are very mild. 

However, you should not consume Zentel medicine if you are allergic to Albendazole. 

Common side effects may include:

• Dizziness or nausea
• Vomiting 
• Diarrhea
• Headache
• Mild rashes 

Contact your doctor or rush to a hospital immediately if you experience any of the following:

• Swelling of throat, face, or limbs
• Shortness of breath
• Severe skin rashes

These signs indicate an acute allergic reaction and require immediate attention and care.

Check out our post on What To Expect After Taking Zentel? for more details.

Things to avoid while you’re on Zentel pills

There are certain things that you should avoid while taking Zentel as they can cause complications.

• Avoid breastfeeding while consuming this medicine
• Avoid consuming contaminated food or water
• Steer clear of sick people, minimizing the possibility of an infection
• Avoid pregnancy when you’re on Zentel and take contraceptive measures if and when required
• Avoid consuming alcohol since Albendazole increases liver enzymes

Also Read: Foods To Avoid While Taking Albendazole

Zentel syrup or Zentel tablets?

Both contain the same active compound, that is, Albendazole. 

Therefore, you can consume Zentel pills or Zentel syrup, depending on your preference.

However, there are slight differences between tablets and pills.

To know more, check out our detailed guide on Zentel Syrup.

Where can I buy Zentel pills?

In the United States, Zentel is a prescription drug. It is not available OTC (Over the counter), so you can only buy it on a doctor’s recommendation.

Once you have your doctor’s prescription, you can buy Zentel worm medicine online or at your local pharmacy. 

When buying your medicines online, always buy from a CQC-regulated pharmacy. Also, check for a membership seal from a renowned certification authority like MIPA or VIPPS.

Apart from these aspects, a genuine web-based pharmacy will have comprehensive information on drugs they sell, round-the-clock customer support, and is at a tangible location.

A website that ticks all these boxes is ForDailyMedicine.

For more details, check out our article on Where Can I Buy Zentel Worm Medicine?  

Frequently Asked Questions