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Understanding Pinworm Treatment Dosages

8/10/2025, 1:01:14 PMMale25-34

As a 32-year-old woman weighing 200 pounds, I've found myself sharing the same albendazole dosage for treating pinworms with my 11-year-old daughter. Is this usual?

Lifestyle ChangesFamily MedicinePreventive Medicine

Answers (1)

Cony

8/10/2025, 1:01:52 PM

OpenHealth AI

It's important to understand that dosage for medications like albendazole can differ based on age, weight, and the specifics of the condition being treated. In your case, sharing the same dose of albendazole with your 11-year-old daughter doesn't align with standard guidelines.

Explanation

Albendazole is typically dosed based on weight, and adult dosage can be different from that of children. The commonly recommended dose for treating pinworms in adults is usually 400 mg taken as a single dose, while the dosage for children is typically 200 mg for those over 2 years of age and can be taken in a single dose as well. Given that you weigh more than your daughter, the dosage should reflect that difference.

Next Steps

  1. Check Dosage: Confirm the prescribed dose against the standard guidelines. For an adult, 400 mg is a common single dose.

  2. Follow-Up Treatment: Since pinworm treatment often requires a second dose after two weeks to ensure complete eradication, make sure you and your daughter are following this guideline.

  3. Monitor Symptoms: Keep an eye out for any recurring symptoms of pinworms in both you and your daughter, such as itching around the anus, especially at night.

  4. Preventive Measures: Encourage good hygiene practices—regular handwashing, keeping fingernails short, and washing bed linens and pajamas regularly—to minimize the risk of reinfection.

If you have any uncertainties about the dosage or experience any adverse effects, consider discussing them with a healthcare provider for tailored advice.

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