An anthelmintic is generally recommended, combined with strict hygiene measures.
Drug treatment has no effect on threadworm eggs only on the worms, therefore effective hygiene measures are essential to prevent the transfer of the eggs from the perianal area.
It is important to recommend that all members of the family are treated, even if they have no symptoms. If possible, treatment should commence on the same day for all the family.
Mebendazole and Piperazine are effective threadworm treatments. Efficacy studies suggest that both Piperazine and Mebendazole produce eradication rates of about 90%. Both can be bought from a pharmacy without a prescription.
Reinfection with threadworm after completing a single course of drug therapy is common. This may be due to the ingestion of eggs which may remain infective in the environment for up to 2 weeks after deposition. Therefore a second treatment two weeks after the first may be recommended (follow the instructions on the pack) – again all family members should be treated at the same time.
Complete, effective treatment for threadworm
A double-dose treatment
Pripsen Powder (Piperazine Phosphate) is raspberry flavoured and is suitable for children from the age of three months. It can be mixed with water or milk.
Pripsen Mebendazole Tablets are chewable with a pleasant orange taste and can be taken by children over the age of two. The first dose of Pripsen treats the adult threadworms, but some eggs may be left behind, so a second dose is taken two weeks later which breaks the threadworm life cycle.
