374 Where There Is No Doctor 2011 Green Pages
Albendazole (Zentel)—for many different
worm infections
Name:__________________ price:________ for_ ______
Often comes in: tablets of 200 and 400 mg.
This medicine is similar to mebendazole, but
often more expensive. It works against hookworm,
whipworm, Strongyloides, roundworm, and
pinworm. Side effects are rare.
WARNING: Do not give albendazole to women in the
first 3 months of pregnancy or children under 1 year.
Dosage of albendazole—using 400 mg. tablets
Give the same amount to children and adults.
For children 1 to 2 years old, give half the dosage
below.
For pinworm, roundworm (Ascaris), whipworm
(Trichuris), and hookworm: 400 mg. (1 tablet) one
time.
For Strongyloides: 400 mg. (1 tablet) twice a
day for 3 days, and then repeat one week later.
For trichinosis: 400 mg. 2 times a day for 8 to
14 days. In severe cases, cortico-steroids also help,
but should be given by a health worker or doctor.
Piperazine—for roundworm (Ascaris) and
pinworm (threadworm, Enterobius)
Name:_________________________________________
Prepared as piperazine citrate, tartrate, hydrate,
adipate, or phosphate
Often comes in:
500 mg. tablets
Price:_________________ for_ ___________________
Mixture, 500 mg. in 5 ml.
Price:_________________ for_ ___________________
A large dose is given for 2 days to treat
roundworm. Smaller doses every day for a week
are given for pinworm. There are few side effects.
Dosage of piperazine for roundworm (Ascaris)
(75 mg./kg./day)—500 mg. tablets or mixture with
500 mg. in 5 ml.
Give once daily for 2 days.
adults: 3500 mg. (7 tablets or 7 teaspoons)
children 8 to 12 years: 2500 mg. (5 tablets or
5 teaspoons)
children 3 to 7 years: 1500 mg. (3 tablets or 3
teaspoons)
children 1 to 3 years: 1000 mg. (2 tablets or 2
teaspoons)
babies under 1 year: 500 mg. (1 tablet or
1 teaspoon)
Dosage of piperazine for pinworm (Enterobius)
(40 mg./kg./day):
Give 2 doses daily for a week.
adults: 1000 mg. (2 tablets or 2 teaspoons)
children 8 to 12 years: 750 mg.
(1 ½ tablets or 1 ½ teaspoons)
children 3 to 7 years: 500 mg. (1 tablet or
1 teaspoon)
children under 3 years: 250 mg. (½ tablet or
½ teaspoon)
Thiabendazole—for many different worm
infections
Name:__________________ price:________ for_ ______
Often comes in: 500 mg. tablets or mixture with
1 g. in 5 ml.
Because thiabendazole causes more side
effects than mebendazole or albendazole, it should
only be used for worms when these medicines are
not available, or for worm infections that are not
inside the gut.
It can be used to treat hookworm, whipworm
(Trichuris), and another worm called Strongyloides.
It also works for roundworm and pinworm, but
piperazine has fewer side effects. It can be helpful
in treating guinea worm, and may do some good in
cases of trichinosis.
CAUTION: Thiabendazole may cause roundworm
(Ascaris) to crawl up the throat. This can block
breathing. Therefore, if you suspect a person
has roundworm in addition to other worms, it is
wise to treat first with piperazine before giving
thiabendazole.
Side effects: Thiabendazole often causes
tiredness, a sick feeling, and sometimes vomiting.
Dosage for thiabendazole (25 mg./kg./day)
—500 mg. tablets or mixture with 1 g. in 5 ml.
Give twice a day for 3 days. Tablets should be
chewed.
In each dose give:
adults: 1500 mg. (3 tablets or
1 ½ teaspoons)
children 8 to 12 years: 1000 mg. (2 tablets or
1 teaspoon)
children 3 to 7 years: 500 mg. (1 tablet or
½ teaspoon)
children under 3 years: 250 mg. (½ tablet or
¼ teaspoon)