Pinworms: Medications

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Medications

Medicine is often used for pinworm infections that are causing symptoms such as itching. Both over-the-counter and prescription medicines are available (in liquid, chewable tablet, and tablet forms). Most pinworm infections are cured with medicine.

Because medicines do not kill pinworm eggs, two doses are given, usually 2 weeks apart. The second dose is necessary to kill any worms that may have hatched from eggs after the initial treatment. In some cases of reinfection, 4 to 6 treatments (spaced 2 weeks apart) are necessary.

Medication Choices

Prescription medicines

Mebendazole

Albendazole (Albenza)

Nonprescription medicine

Pyrantel pamoate (Pin-X)

Do not use other medicines to treat pinworms without first speaking to your doctor. Piperazine and pyrvinium are no longer used to treat pinworm infections, but they may still be available in some pharmacies.

What To Think About

Mebendazole and pyrantel pamoate are the medicines most often used to treat pinworm infection. Both are very effective and have few side effects.

Pinworm medicine is not recommended for use by pregnant women, breast-feeding women, or by children younger than 2 without talking to a doctor about the risks and benefits of medicine. These groups are advised to use measures to prevent reinfection rather than using medicine. For more information, see the Home Treatment section of this topic.

Last updated:	September 11, 2008
Author:	Debby Golonka, MPH
Reviewed By:	Michael J. Sexton, MD - Pediatrics, Donald Sproule, MD, CM, CCFP, FCFP - Family Medicine
Editors:	Susan Van Houten, RN, BSN, MBA, Pat Truman, MATC