About piperazine with senna

Threadworms are relatively common type of roundworm and can be easily passed from one person to another, but they are not usually serious. They are small parasites which live inside the bowel for a short time. Adult threadworms do not live for longer than six weeks. The female worm lays her eggs at night around an infected person's back passage, which causes irritation and an 'itchy bottom'. When the person scratches the area it allows the tiny eggs to get under the fingernails. If the fingers are then put in the mouth - for example, during sleep - the eggs may be swallowed. The worms then develop in the bowel and produce more eggs. Eggs can easily get onto bedding, carpets, towels and into the house dust. They can also get on to food and be swallowed, and this creates a cycle of re-infection.

Pripsen® contains piperazine with senna. Piperazine works by paralysing the worms in the bowel. This allows them to be easily dislodged and removed in the faeces. Senna is a laxative that increases bowel movements and so speeds up the removal of the worms. All family members in your house should be treated at the same time, even those without symptoms.

Before taking piperazine with senna

You can buy Pripsen® without a prescription in pharmacies, but to make sure this is the right treatment for you or your child, before taking Pripsen® it is important that your pharmacist knows:

• If you are pregnant or breast-feeding. This is because you should only take medicines on the recommendation of a doctor while you are expecting or feeding a baby.
• If you have liver or kidney problems.
• If you have epilepsy.
• If you are taking any other medicines. This includes any medicines you are taking which are available to buy without a prescription, such as herbal and complementary medicines.
• If you have ever had an allergic reaction to a medicine.

How to take Pripsen®

• Before you start this treatment, read the manufacturer's printed information leaflet from inside your pack. The leaflet will give you more information about Pripsen® and a full list of side-effects which you may experience from taking it. Follow the dosage instructions carefully, especially if it is for a young child taking part of a sachet.
• It is important that all members of your family should be treated on the same day.
• In the UK the most common worm infection is threadworm - this is a type of roundworm and is sometimes referred to as a pinworm. For threadworm infections, you will need to take two doses of Pripsen® in total. You should take the second dose 14 days after you have taken the first dose. Adults should take their doses at bedtime. Children should take their doses in the morning.
• Adults and children aged over 6 years: stir the contents of one sachet into a small glass of milk or water, and drink it straightaway.
• Children aged 3 months to 6 years: the dose for infants aged between 3 months and 1 year is 2.5 ml of powder (one third of the sachet), and the dose for children aged between 1 year and 6 years is 5 ml of powder (two thirds of the sachet). Stir the powder into milk or water and drink it straightaway.
• If you are taking Pripsen® for a type of roundworm infection other than threadworm, your doctor may ask you to take three doses in total (one dose, one month apart for three months).

Getting the most from your treatment

Piperazine removes threadworms, but not their eggs, which can survive for two weeks. Therefore, it is also important to break the cycle of re-infection which can occur - this can be done by following a few simple hygiene measures to prevent you from swallowing eggs, causing a new infection:

• Wash your hands and scrub your nails with a nailbrush after every visit to the toilet, and before preparing or eating a meal.
• Have a bath or shower, immediately after waking up in the morning, to wash away any eggs that have been laid during the night.
• Disinfect your toilet seat and toilet handle, and the handle on your toilet door, regularly.
• Vacuum the carpets in your bedrooms every day, and wet-wipe the surfaces of your bedroom furniture.
• Keep your fingernails short and clean.
• Wear pyjamas or pants in bed.
• Have a separate towel for each member of your family to use.
• Change and wash your clothing and bedding frequently.

Can Pripsen® cause problems?

Along with their useful effects, most medicines can cause unwanted side-effects although not everyone experiences them. These usually improve as your body adjusts to the new medicine, but speak with your doctor or pharmacist if any of the following side-effects continue or become troublesome.

If you experience any other symptoms which you think may be due to this medicine, speak with your doctor or pharmacist.

How to store piperazine with senna

• Keep all medicines out of the reach and sight of children.
• Store in a cool, dry place, away from direct heat and light.

Important information about all medicines