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Treatments and drugs
By Mayo Clinic staffMild pinworm infection, or those with no symptoms, may never need treatment. If you have symptoms, you may need anti-parasite medications.
Anti-parasite medications
For symptomatic infections, medication is almost always effective in eliminating the parasite. Because children so easily spread pinworms to their families, your doctor may prescribe medication to all members of your household to prevent infection and reinfection.
Anti-parasite (anti-helminthic) medications are the first line of treatment against a pinworm infection. The most common anti-parasite medications for pinworms are:
- Albendazole (Albenza)
- Pyrantel (Pin-X)
These medications work by killing the adult worms as well as the larvae and eggs to prevent reinfection. You may have mild gastrointestinal side effects during the course of treatment, and you may need to take multiple doses to get rid of the pinworms completely.
Reducing itching and reinfection
If anal or vaginal itching is severe or interfering with your sleep, your doctor may prescribe a soothing ointment or cream to use until the pinworms are gone.
Pinworm reinfection is common, so your doctor may remind you to avoid scratching the anal area, take special care to keep your fingernails clean, clean toilet seats twice a day, and thoroughly launder any potentially infected clothing or sheets.
