Pyrantel, Oral

What are other names for this medicine?

Type of medicine: anthelmintic (antiworm)

Generic and brand names: pyrantel, oral; Antiminth; Pin-X; Reese's Pinworm (There may be other brand names for this medicine.)

What is this medicine used for?

This medicine is taken by mouth to treat worm infections caused by pinworms, roundworms, and others. You may buy it without a prescription.

What should my healthcare provider know before I take this medicine?

Before using this medicine, tell your healthcare provider if you have ever had:

• an allergic reaction to any medicine
• anemia
• liver disease

Females of childbearing age: Talk with your healthcare provider if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. It is not known whether this medicine will harm an unborn baby. Do not breast-feed while taking this medicine without your healthcare provider's approval.

How do I use it?

Fasting, special diets, laxatives, and enemas are not necessary before or after taking this medicine. This medicine may be taken with or without food at any time of the day.

This medicine comes in the form of caplets, chewable tablets, and liquid. If you have the liquid form of this medicine, shake it well before using. Use a specially marked measuring spoon to measure each dose. The average household teaspoon may not hold the right amount of liquid. If you have the chewable tablet, chew the tablet well before swallowing.

Check the label on the medicine for directions about your specific dose. Take this medicine exactly as your healthcare provider prescribes. Do not take more or less or take it longer than prescribed. For most worm infections, this medicine is taken as a single dose. You may need a second dose to completely clear up the infection. Your healthcare provider will check you to see whether the second dose is necessary.

Pinworm infections are easily passed from one member of the family to others. Your healthcare provider may want to treat all family members at the same time.

What if I overdose?

If you or anyone else has intentionally taken too much of this medicine, call 911 or go to the emergency room right away. If you pass out, have seizures, weakness or confusion, or have trouble breathing, call 911. If you think that you or anyone else may have taken too much of this medicine, call the poison control center. Do this even if there are no signs of discomfort or poisoning. The poison control center number is 800-222-1222.

Symptoms of an acute overdose may include: nausea, vomiting, stomach cramps, diarrhea, trouble walking.

What should I watch out for?

If your condition does not improve in a few days, contact your healthcare provider.

This medicine may make you drowsy or dizzy. Do not drive or operate machinery unless you are fully alert.

Pinworm eggs are deposited in bedding and nightclothes during the night. Carefully remove bedding and nightclothes every day (without shaking them) and wash them in hot water to kill the eggs.

Follow your healthcare provider's instructions about other precautions to avoid reinfection.

What are the possible side effects?

Along with its needed effects, your medicine may cause some unwanted side effects. Some side effects may be very serious. Some side effects may go away as your body adjusts to the medicine. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any side effects that continue or get worse.

Serious (report these to your healthcare provider right away): Muscle weakness, trouble breathing, skin rash.

Other: Abdominal cramps, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, loss of appetite, dizziness, drowsiness, headache, trouble sleeping.

What products might interact with this medicine?

When you take this medicine with other medicines, it can change the way this or any of the other medicines work. Nonprescription medicines, vitamins, natural remedies, and certain foods may also interact. Using these products together might cause harmful side effects. Talk to your healthcare provider if you are taking:

• theophylline

Keep a list of all your medicines with you. List all the prescription medicines, nonprescription medicines, supplements, natural remedies, and vitamins that you take. Be sure that you tell all healthcare providers who treat you about all the products you are taking.

How should I store this medicine?

Store this medicine at room temperature. The liquid for children may be refrigerated, but do not freeze. Keep the container tightly closed. Protect it from heat, high humidity, and bright light.

This advisory includes selected information only and may not include all side effects of this medicine or interactions with other medicines. Ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist for more information or if you have any questions.

Ask your pharmacist for the best way to dispose of outdated medicine or medicine you have not used. Do not throw medicine in the trash.

Keep all medicines out of the reach of children.

Do not share medicines with other people.