Treatment of enterobiasis and ascariasis with combantrin (pyrantel pamoate)

Abstract

This clinical trial was conducted to determine the efficacy and tolerance of pyrantel pamoate in the treatment of Enterobius and Ascaris infections. 100 patients who harboured Enterobius, Ascaris, and other intestinal helminths were treated with pyrantel pamoate, in a single dose of 8·5 to 10·0 mg./base/kg. of body weight. The medication was readily accepted and tolerated by all the patients. 43 cases out of 66 children from 3 to 11 years proved positive for Enterobius ova by the scotch-tape test. Employment of 10 mg. per kg. of pyrantel base (as the pamoate) to 43 enterobiasis cases resulted in a 83·7% cure rate. On the other hand, 79 patients received 8·5 to 10·0 mg. per kg. of pyrantel pamoate, and all 79 patients were cleared of Ascaris infection by a single dose. Pyrantel pamoate also proved to be very effective against Trichostrongylus orientalis, hookworms and moderately effective against Trichocephalus trichiura. During the course of the study, determination of haemograms, urinalysis, and liver function tests were conducted in the patients before and 4 days after the medication. All values were normal throughout the study and no significant differences were observed before and after the drug administration. Side effects were mild and transient.