Hookworm is a parasitic infestation in the small intestine and the lungs that begins when a hookworm penetrates the skin and migrates to these organs. More common in tropic and subtropic developing countries with poor hygienic conditions, hookworms affect over 1.3 billion people, according to the Merck Manuals. Hookworm transmission occurs when walking barefoot in soil contaminated with hookworm larvae. The worms work their way through the skin and head toward the lungs, where larvae then can move up the windpipe and down the esophagus into the digestive tract, ending up in the small intestine. Treatment for hookworm includes antiparasitic medications and iron supplements.
Mebendazole
Mebendazole is a prescription medication used to kill parasitic worms in the body because it prevents the growth and reproduction of the worm. Dosing may occur two different ways. Affected individuals chew a mebendazole tablet twice each day for three consecutive days or as a large, single dose. The initial treatment will kill adult worms, but eggs may continue to hatch after the treatment. Taking a follow-up dosage two weeks later will kill the new larvae. Common side effects of mebendazole include diarrhea and stomach pain, according to MedlinePlus. Pregnant women cannot take mebendaozole, due to potential harm to the baby.
Albendazole
Albendazole is a medication that treats hookworm infections by causing the worm to lose the ability to absorb sugar. Without sugar for energy, the worm dies. Proper use of albendazole includes taking a tablet with a small amount of water. Additional treatments every two weeks---to kill newly hatched hookworm eggs---will be necessary to treat the infection effectively. Side effects of albendazole will usually go away without medical intervention and include abdominal pain, diarrhea and vomiting. Pregnant women need to avoid taking albendazole because the medication may harm a developing baby, according to Drugs.com.
Pyrantel Pamoate
Pyrantel pamoate belongs to a class of medications called anthelmintics, which treat parasitic worm infections, including hookworms, by paralyzing the nervous system in the worm. Available as a tablet or as a liquid, this medication uses one dose to kill the hookworm. Pregnant women need to avoid the use of pyrantel pamoate. Common side effects of pyrantel pamoate include diarrhea, nausea and stomach cramping. The medication may also cause drowsiness or dizziness, so individuals need to use caution when operating heavy machinery after taking the medicine.
Iron Supplements
Large amounts of hookworms feeding off the host blood, characterized as more than 2,000 eggs per gram of stool, can cause anemia in the affected individual, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. To combat the anemia, a physician may prescribe an oral iron supplement. Daily iron supplements may be necessary for several months following a hookworm infection. Side effects of iron include constipation and gastrointestinal distress.
