Dewormers in humans generally start to work immediately upon absorption, but it often takes several days for the medication to kill all the worms and for the dead worms to be expelled from the body. Typically, worm death and clearing happen within about 1 to 3 days after taking the dose. For example, Vermox (mebendazole) usually kills worms quickly, with dead worms passing within 3 days, and it may take several days for full effectiveness. A second dose is often recommended after two weeks to kill any newly hatched worms or eggs, as most dewormers do not kill worm eggs.
Detailed Timeline for Dewormer Effectiveness in Humans:
- Deworming medicine begins working almost immediately upon absorption.
- Dead worms may start passing in stools within 1 to 3 days.
- Side effects such as increased bowel movements may appear 2 hours to a few days after taking the medicine.
- Worm eggs are not killed by dewormers, so a repeat dose after 2 weeks is often needed to prevent reinfection.
- Full clearance can sometimes require multiple days depending on the type and severity of infection.
Hygiene and Prevention:
- Good hygiene during and after treatment is crucial to prevent reinfection, including hand washing, cleaning bedding, and avoiding scratching the affected area.
Specific Medications:
- Mebendazole and albendazole start working right away but do not kill eggs; a second dose after two weeks is common.
- Patients may not always see worms in stool because some modern dewormers dissolve the worms rather than expelling them whole.
In summary, dewormers take about 1 to 3 days to work effectively in humans, with potential follow-up doses needed for complete eradication and prevention of reinfection.
