Boots Threadworm Tablets 2 Years Plus

Read all of this leaflet carefully because it contains important information for you.

This medicine is available without prescription to treat threadworm. However, you still need to give it carefully to get the best results from it.

• Keep this leaflet, you may need to read it again
• Ask your pharmacist if you need more information or advice
• The leaflet is written in terms of giving this medicine to your child, but if you are an adult who is intending to take this medicine yourself the information in this leaflet will apply to you as well

Do not give:

• If your child is under 2 years
• If your child is allergic to any of the ingredients

Other important information

If your child is going to have a blood test, tell your doctor that you have given this medicine.

Information about some of the ingredients: The colour sunset yellow (E110) in this medicine may cause allergic reactions.

Information for adults intending to take this medicine

Pregnancy and breastfeeding: Do not take this medicine.

If your child takes other medicines

Before you give this tablet, make sure that you tell your pharmacist about ANY other medicines you might be giving your child at the same time, particularly the following:

• Metronidazole (for infections)
• Cimetidine (for excess stomach acid)

If you are unsure about interactions with any other medicines, talk to your pharmacist. This includes medicines prescribed by your doctor and medicine you have bought for your child, including herbal and homeopathic remedies.

If your child gets any of these serious side effects, see a doctor at once:

• Difficulty in breathing, swelling of face, neck, tongue or throat (severe allergic reactions)
• Fits
• Blistering or peeling of the skin

These other effects are less serious. If they bother your child talk to a pharmacist:

Common side effects:

(fewer than 1 in every 10 people are affected)

• Stomach pain

Uncommon side effects:

(fewer than 1 in every 100 people are affected)

• Stomach discomfort
• Diarrhoea, wind

Very rare side effects:

(fewer than 1 in every 1000 people are affected)

• Skin rash, or red, raised itchy skin
• Dizziness
• Hair loss
• Changes in liver function (you may notice severe stomach pain, yellowing of the skin and eyes, abnormal blood tests)
• An increase in the number of infections (e.g. sore throats) that your child may get – this may be a sign of rare changes in the blood

What are threadworms?

Threadworms are the most common worm infestation affecting humans in the UK. They are particularly common in children. Up to 40 percent of children under 10 years are estimated to suffer from threadworms at any one time.

Threadworms live in the bowel. The females grow to about half an inch long (10 mm). This makes them look like tiny threads of white cotton - hence their popular name "threadworms".

How can I tell if my child has threadworms?

Threadworms can be difficult to detect. The first signs are likely to be itching and irritation around the anal area, particularly at night. This is when the female worm lays her eggs. A child may also become irritable from disturbed sleep or bedwetting, or suffer from tummy aches and loss of appetite.

Are threadworms harmful?

Normally threadworms cause no problems other than itching, which can be distressing and embarrassing. Complications from threadworms are unusual, though girls may develop an infection in the vaginal area or urinary passage. If your child is showing any signs of vaginal irritation, discharge, cystitis or bedwetting, you should see your doctor.

How do threadworms spread?

The first thing to be assured of is that having threadworms doesn't mean that you, or your family are not clean. In fact, children are more likely to pick up threadworms at school than at home. Threadworm eggs are very widespread and so small that they can't be seen with the naked eye. They are often found in house dust, bedding, clothes, towels, on furniture or toys, unwashed salad vegetables and sometimes contaminated food.

Once the eggs are on the hands, they are easily transferred to the mouth and swallowed. In the bowel the eggs hatch and the mature female threadworms crawl through the anus to lay more eggs.

When the child scratches, eggs are picked up under the fingernails. These find their way onto toys or other objects, or pass straight into the mouth when the child sucks its fingers or bites its nails. Quite often other members of the family can become infected and once a pattern of infection and reinfection has been established, the correct treatment is needed to break the cycle.

Are threadworms easy to treat?

Yes. It is strongly recommended that all members of the family are treated at the same time as a precaution against reinfection. If a family member is pregnant, planning to become pregnant or breastfeeding, or if there's a child under 2 years old, a threadworm tablet will not be suitable and you should see your doctor.

What else should I do?

As well as a threadworm tablet, you'll need to take some extra precautions to guard against reinfection. The eggs are taken into the body through the mouth, so it pays to be particularly careful with hygiene.

General Advice

• Scrub hands and under finger nails after each visit to the toilet and before preparing or eating food
• Disinfect the toilet seat, toilet handle and bathroom door handle regularly
• Vacuum and dust bedrooms thoroughly
• After treatment, wash all nightwear, bedclothes, and towels on the hottest wash cycle they will tolerate to destroy any eggs that may be present

To help against reinfection

• Make sure everyone in the family is treated at the same time
• Keep nails short and discourage children from nail-biting and finger-sucking
• For young children wearing a pair of mittens in bed will help to discourage scratching
• Daily bathing, with thorough washing around the bottom is also important
• Wearing underwear in bed will help to prevent eggs falling onto sheets

The lifecycle of an adult threadworm can be as long as six weeks, so it's wise to continue with these measures for at least six weeks after treatment.

If reinfection is suspected, further treatment may be required. If you have any concerns or want further advice talk to your pharmacist or doctor.