What is it used for?
- Infection with threadworms.
- Infection with roundworms (ascariasis).
How does it work?
Pripsen powder contains two active ingredients, piperazine and senna.
Piperazine is a medication that is used to treat certain types of parasitic worm infections. It works by stopping the worm from being able to contol the contraction of it's muscles. This leads to the eventual paralysis of the worm. As the worm is unable to move it is easily dislodged from the gut of the infected person and is expelled alive in the faeces. Piperazine is used in the treatment of both threadworm and roundworm infections.
Pripsen powder also contains senna which is a laxative medicine. This is used to help clear the paralysed worms more quickly from the gut.
How do I take it?
- Follow the instructions provided with this medicine.
- The powder should be stirred into a small glass of milk or water and the correct dose of this (described in the leaflet provided with the medicine) taken immediately. Adults should take their dose at bedtime and children in the morning.
- A second dose of the powder should be taken 14 days after the first dose to eliminate any remaining worms.
- Children aged three months to one year should only be treated with this medicine on the advice of a doctor.
- Children under 10 years of age should not be given more than one course of treatment in any 28 day period without first seeking advice from a doctor.
Not to be used in
- Children under three months of age.
- Blockage of the gut (intestinal obstruction).
- Liver disease.
- Kidney disease.
This medicine should not be used if you are allergic to any of its ingredients. Please inform your doctor or pharmacist if you have previously experienced such an allergy.
If you feel you have experienced an allergic reaction, stop using this medicine and inform your doctor or pharmacist immediately.
Pregnancy and breastfeeding
Certain medicines should not be used during pregnancy or breastfeeding. However, other medicines may be safely used in pregnancy or breastfeeding providing the benefits to the mother outweigh the risks to the unborn baby. Always inform your doctor if you are pregnant or planning a pregnancy, before using any medicine.
- This medicine is not recommended for use in pregnancy unless considered essential by your doctor. It should be avoided during the first trimester. If you are pregnant you should only take this medicine on the advice of a doctor.
- This medicine passes into breast milk. Seek medical advice from your doctor before using this medicine during breastfeeding. It is recommended that women avoid breastfeeding for eight hours after a dose of this medicine and express and discard milk during this time.
- Dissolve or mix this medication with water or milk before taking.
Medicines and their possible side effects can affect individual people in different ways. The following are some of the side effects that are known to be associated with this medicine. Just because a side effect is stated here, it does not mean that all people using this medicine will experience that or any side effect.
- Itchy rash (urticaria).
- Abdominal pain.
- Nausea and vomiting.
- Narrowing of the airways (bronchospasm).
- Inability to coordinate muscles.
- Blurred vision.
The side effects listed above may not include all of the side effects reported by the medicine's manufacturer.
For more information about any other possible risks associated with this medicine, please read the information provided with the medicine or consult your doctor or pharmacist.
How can this medicine affect other medicines?
You should tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are already taking any medicines, including those bought without a prescription and herbal medicines, before you take this medicine. Similarly, check with your doctor or pharmacist before taking any new medicines in combination with this one, to ensure that the combination is safe.
This medicine is not known to affect other medicines.
Other medicines containing the same active ingredients
There are currently no other medicines available in the UK that contain piperazine and senna as the active ingredients.