Worm Treatment: Threadworm (Pinworm) and Roundworm Worm treatment centres around two active ingredients: Mebendazole is the active ingredients in the Ovex range and Pripsen Mebendazole. This works by preventing the worms from absorbing sugar, and is suitable for threadworm (also known as pinworm). Piperazine Phosphate is effective against threadworm (pinworm) and roundworm, and works by preventing the worms from contracting their muscles. Pripsen Piperazine Phosphate also contains senna, a mild laxative that helps pass the worms more quickly through the digestive system. For further information please read our FAQs on diagnosing and treating worms.
Ovex Orange flavoured tablets and a Banana flavoured suspension for the treatment of threadworm.   More >>>		Pripsen Pripsen offer a great tasting solution to Threadworm and Roundworm for the whole family.   More >>>
Ovex Tablets Family pack x4 Orange flavoured tablets for treatment of threadworm. For adults and children over 2 years. Family pack contains 4 single-dose treatments.   More >>> Price: £5.59 (incl VAT) (Buy 3 or more for £5.04 each)		Ovex Tablets 1x Orange flavoured tablet for treatment of threadworm. For adults and children over 2 years.   More >>> Price: £2.05 (incl VAT) (Buy 3 or more for £1.95 each)
Ovex Suspension Banana Flavour 30ml Banana flavoured family pack. Provides 6 x 5ml single doses for the treatment of threadworms. For adults and children over 2 years.   More >>> Price: £6.85 (incl VAT) (Buy 3 or more for £6.17 each)		Pripsen Piperazine Phosphate Powder Raspberry-flavoured powder for treatment of pinworm, roundworm and threadworm. For adults and children over 3 months. Can be added to milk or water. Pack contains two sachets to treat one person.   More >>> Price: £2.54 (incl VAT)
Pripsen Mebendazole Tablets 2x Tablets for treatment of threadworm. For adults and children over 2 years. Pack contains 2 tablets to treat one person.   More >>> Price: £2.01 (incl VAT) (Buy 3 or more for £1.81 each) Sorry, this item is currently unavailable.		Pripsen Mebendazole Tablets 8x Tablets for treatment of threadworm. For adults and children over 2 years. Pack contains 8 tablets to treat 4 people.   More >>> Price: £5.87 (incl VAT)
Anal Itching If the itching associated with worms is driving you and your family crazy then take a look at our range of itch relieving medicines.   More >>>		Hand Cleansing Gel Itching of the anus is an easy way to spread worms, especially among children. Encouraging children to wash their hands regularly is a good preventative measure. This gel is ideal for keeping hands clean when out and about.   More >>>
Worms FAQs What types of worms can infect humans? The most common infections are: Threadworm (also known as pinworm) Roundworm Tapeworm "Ringworm" (which is not actually a worm) How do I know if I have worms, and what type of worm I have? Threadworms (pinworms) are the most common worm infection. The most common symptom is severe itching around the anus. You may also see threadworms in stools or around the anus. These are 1cm-long white threads that look a bit like cotton thread. Threadworms are generally caused by poor hygiene so are more likely to affect children. They are spread from person to person via the eggs that are laid around the anus. Scratching the anus covers the hands with eggs and allows the eggs to be passed from person to person. Roundworms are rarer, and the symptoms are less obvious than for tapeworms. They are usually caught when travelling abroad, and can cause abdominal pain, wheezing and coughing (caused by inflammation of the lungs), diahorrea, nausea and vomiting. In heavy infections, worms may be seen in the stools. These are up to 30cm long, pink and cylindrical; not dissimilar to earthworms. The eggs are microsopic and cannot be seen easily. If you are unsure then contact your GP. Tapeworm infections are extremely rare: typically far less than 100 infections a year in the UK. Flat, whitish segments from the tapeworm may be seen in stools. The segments contain tapeworm eggs. It is hard to tell if you have a tapeworm infection. Tapeworms can be caught from eating food contaminated with human or animal faeces, or by eating undercooked pork, beef or fish, particularly abroad. How can I treat threadworm, and what can I do about the itching? Threadworm can be treated with either mebendazole or piperazine (see below). Treatments for the anal itching generally come in cream form. These creams won't kill the worms themselves so must be used in conjunction with Piperazine or Mebendazole. How can I treat roundworm? Roundworm can be treated with piperazine. How can I treat tapeworm? Tapeworm can only be treated using medicines prescribed by your doctor. What is "ringworm"? Ringworm is not actually a worm, but a common name for a particular fungal infection of the skin known more formally as tinea corporis. Ringworm does not affect the stomach or gut and won't show up in stools. Can I get worms from dogs? Threadworm is generally passed from human to human, but can be passed via a dog if an infected person accidentally strokes eggs onto a dog's fur, and somebody else picks up the infection by stroking the same dog. There is a type of threadworm that affects dogs but the human threadworm itself is a species that can only infect humans. However, dog tapeworm or ringworm can affect humans, and can be caught from eating food infected with dog stools or, in rare cases, by accidentally ingesting a dog flea. Can I get worms from eating certain foods? Yes, if worms' eggs are swallowed. Poor food hygiene is the usual cause, where food is infected with faeces or has been handled by somebody who has threadworm. In addition, tapeworm can be caught from eating undercooked meat or fish, but rarely in the UK. What is Mebendazole? Mebendazole is the active ingredients in the Ovex range and Pripsen Mebendazole. This works by preventing the worms from absorbing sugar, and is suitable for threadworm (pinworm). What is Piperazine? Piperazine Phosphate is effective against threadworm (pinworm) and roundworm, and works by preventing the worms from contracting their muscles. Pripsen Piperazine Phosphate also contains senna, a mild laxative that helps pass the worms more quickly through the digestive system. What is the key difference between Pripsen Mebendazole and Ovex? Ovex treatments are single-dose, whereas Pripsen tablets are dual-dose: in the case of Pripsen, a follow-up dose is taken 2-4 weeks later to prevent re-infection (see instructions). Hence, a Pripsen 2x packet treats 1 person, and an 8x packet treats a family of 4. What do Express Chemist recommend for worms? Threadworm: Both Pripsen and Ovex are highly recommended by Express Chemist for the treatment of threadworm. Pripsen powder and Ovex Suspension are great for those who do not like to swallow tablets. Some patients like the convenience of the single-dose Ovex treatments whereas others prefer Pripsen as the dual dose helps to prevent re-infection; however, it is possible to take 2 doses of Ovex 2 weeks apart if you so wish. Roundworm: Express Chemist recommend Pripsen Piperazine Powder for the treatment of roundworm. Click here to buy treatments for worms.

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