Combantrin can be utilized by pregnant women at a dosage of 10 mg/kg body weight, administered as a single dose. If only infected with a type of roundworm, a dosage of 5 mg/kg body weight is recommended.
1. Is Combantrin fecal anti-parasitic medication safe for pregnant women?
Generally, it is advisable for pregnant women to avoid anti-parasitic treatments, hence doctors recommend regular deworming every six months or annually. Nevertheless, many women become pregnant and subsequently discover a severe parasitic infection, requiring treatment to prevent harm to both mother and fetus. In such cases, administering anti-parasitic medication to the pregnant individual becomes necessary.
Combantrin belongs to the Pyrantel group of medications, classified as Category B in the pregnancy safety classification. This agent operates by blocking neuromuscular transmission, resulting in paralysis of the parasites, which are then expelled from the body.
Combantrin is effective against roundworms, pinworms, and hookworms, while its efficacy is limited against whipworms.
2. Administration of Combantrin
Combantrin can be utilized for pregnant women at a dosage of 10 mg/kg body weight, taken as a single dose. For isolated roundworm infection, a dosage of 5 mg/kg body weight is advised. In cases of roundworm infection during the pregnancy beyond six months, this medication may be administered without significant concern.
Despite the lack of evidence indicating teratogenic effects of Combantrin, pregnant women should exercise caution. It is recommended to undertake deworming during a stable period of pregnancy, ideally after six months, and under medical supervision.
3. Treatment of mild helminthiasis using traditional methods
In instances of mild parasitic infection, it is permissible for mothers to defer treatment until after childbirth or to apply some traditional remedies such as:
- Papaya seeds: Papaya seeds contain various flavonoids and phenolic compounds, proteins, calcium, and phosphorus, which can eliminate bacteria such as E. coli and Salmonella, as well as certain helminths. Mixing one teaspoon of papaya seeds into a glass of warm milk for three consecutive days may significantly alleviate symptoms of helminthic infection.
- Guava fruit for roundworm treatment: Consuming pastries made from guava fruit combined with three-leafed samurai leaves may assist in cleaning the intestines for expecting mothers.
- Purslane for tapeworms: Purslane is rich in fatty acids, phosphorus, iron, and vitamins A, B1, C, and B2, offering cooling effects, liver health benefits, and efficient anthelmintic properties. Consuming purée of purslane continuously for 3-5 days can yield notable results.
- Garlic for pinworms: Garlic contains allicin and allistatin, along with essential minerals such as calcium, phosphorus, and iron, demonstrating effective antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties. For mild helminthic infections, mothers can utilize 200g of crushed garlic added to food or use it to create a wash for the anal area to eliminate Giardia and pinworms.
- Carrots for general deworming: Carrots, rich in sulfur, vitamins, and minerals, as well as folic acid, promote intestinal health and assist in deworming and digestive improvement.
In addition, maintaining a healthy diet can help pregnant mothers reduce the incidence of helminthic infections during pregnancy. It is advisable to avoid raw foods of uncertain origin, fast foods, and poorly cooked foods.
In summary, inappropriate use of anti-parasitic medication during pregnancy can potentially cause fetal abnormalities. Therefore, if a mother contracts a parasitic infection during gestation, she should consult a physician for a safe deworming approach.
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