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| Clinical data | |
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| Trade names | Pin-X, Combantrin, others[1] |
| Routes of administration | by mouth |
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| Pharmacokinetic data | |
| Bioavailability | poorly absorbed |
| Identifiers | |
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| CompTox Dashboard(EPA) | |
| ECHA InfoCard | 100.036.143 |
| Chemical and physical data | |
| Formula | C11H14N2S |
| Molar mass | 206.31 g·mol−1 |
| 3D model (JSmol) | |
| Melting point | 178 to 179 °C (352 to 354 °F) |
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Pyrantel is a medication used to treat a number ofparasitic worm infections.[2] This includesascariasis,hookworm infections,enterobiasis (pinworm infection),trichostrongyliasis, andtrichinellosis.[2] It is taken by mouth.[2]
Side effects include nausea, headache, dizziness, trouble sleeping, and rash.[2] A lower dose should be used in people with liver disease.[2] While it does not appear to be harmful duringpregnancy, it has not been studied for this use.[3] It is unclear if it is safe for use duringbreastfeeding.[2] It is in theantihelmintic family of medications.[4] It works by paralyzing worms.[4]
Pyrantel was initially described in 1965.[5] It is on theWorld Health Organization's List of Essential Medicines.[6] Pyrantel is available as ageneric medication.[4] It may also be used to treat worms in a number of other animals.[5]
Pyrantel pamoate is considered apregnancy category C drug for use during pregnancy for humans, but is in category A for canines and felines. Pyrantel is considered safe to use in nursing animals.[7]
Pyrantel pamoate acts as adepolarizing neuromuscular blocking agent, thereby causing sudden contraction, followed by paralysis, of thehelminths. This has the result of causing the worm to "lose its grip" on the intestinal wall and be passed out of the system by natural process. Since Pyrantel is poorly absorbed by the host's intestine, the host is unaffected by the small dosage of medication used. Spastic (tetanic) paralyzing agents, in particular pyrantel pamoate, may induce complete intestinal obstruction in a heavy worm load.[8] This obstruction is usually in the form of a worm impaction and happens when a very small, but heavily parasitized animal is treated and tries to pass a large number of dislodged worms at once. Worms usually pass in normal stool or with diarrhea, straining, and occasional vomiting.
There are a number of brands, including "Reese's Pinworm Medicine", "Pin-X", "Pin-Rid", "PYRANTRIN", "COMBANTRIN", "Anthel", "Helmintox", "Helmex", "Strongid", Konvermex, and Drontal Cat.
