Trichinosis medical therapy
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Risk calculators and risk factors for Trichinosis medical therapy |
Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1] Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Danitza Lukac
Medical therapy
- Treatment for asymptomatic, abortive and mild patients:
- Administration of anthelmintics
- Administration of steroids if needed.
- Treatment for pronounced and severe patients:
- Hospitalization
- Compulsory for severe cases
- Administration of steroids, anthelmintics and analgesics.
- Administration of fluids and electrolytes
- Hospitalization
| Drug | Adult and Pediatric Dose |
|---|---|
| Albendazole | 400 mg twice a day by mouth for 8 to 14 days |
| Mebendazole | 200 to 400 mg three times a day by mouth for 3 days, then 400 to 500 mg three times a day by mouth for 10 days |
- Prompt treatment with antiparasitic drugs can help prevent the progression of trichinellosis by killing the adult worms and so preventing further release of larvae.
- Once the larvae have become established in skeletal muscle cells, usually by 3 to 4 weeks post infection, treatment may not completely eliminate the infection and associated symptoms.
- Treatment with either mebendazole or albendazole is recommended.
- If treatment is not initiated within the first several days of infection, more prolonged or repeated courses of treatment may be necessary.
- Both drugs are considered relatively safe but have been associated with side effects including bone marrow suppression.
- Patients on longer courses of therapy should be monitored by serial complete blood counts to detect any adverse effects promptly and discontinue treatment.
- Albendazole and mebendazole are not approved for use in pregnant women or children under the age of 2 years.
- In addition to antiparasitic medication, treatment with steroids such as prednisone may be used to relieve muscle pain associated with larval migration.