Anisacidosis treatment with drugs

Although helminths do not want to harm their host’s organism, they still bring it, so you need to get rid of this neighborhood as soon as possible. Alas, the work on the development of effective methods of treatment of anisacidosis has been going on for more than one year, but science has not yet confirmed the effectiveness of any of the known anthelmintic drugs.

In the treatment of the disease, doctors attempt to reduce the activity of anisakid larvae with the help of the synthetic drugs Albendazole, Mebendazole, Zentel, Mintezol, etc. The standard dosage is 400 mg twice a day, and the course of treatment ranges from 1 to 3 weeks.

But if you read the instructions for these medicines in any of them there is no mention of anisakiasis, and even more so about treatment regimens and dosages. It turns out that doctors act at random, if the patient still prefers drug therapy. In addition, drugs for the treatment of helminth infections are quite toxic, may have a teratogenic effect on the fetus, therefore, are not recommended for the treatment of pregnant women and young children.

It should be understood that even if medicamentally or through endoscopy can still get rid of nematode larvae, the internal walls of the gastrointestinal tract remain severely damaged, and the situation is aggravated by hypersensitivity reactions associated with helminth infection. You can use traditional antispasmodics to relieve pain during anisacidosis, and for protection and healing of the gastrointestinal tract mucous membrane - enveloping agents and anti-bugs. Antihistamines help reduce allergic reactions.

If the use of the above drugs does not help relieve inflammation (for example, with strong and multiple mucosal damage), seek help from systemic corticosteroids, which have a pronounced anti-inflammatory effect, relieve swelling and irritation.

We have already said that the accumulation of anisakid larvae in the intestinal lumen may provoke its obstruction. In this case, it is impossible to delay, and in fact the destruction of parasites can take quite a long time. In this case, doctors resort to surgery - resection of the affected part of the intestine.

It is necessary to understand that anisakids are not simple worms, which are easily detected in feces and excreted from the body. It is not possible to objectively evaluate the effectiveness of anisacidosis treatment. The doctor is based on the patient's subjective opinion about his condition, because, as we already know, the analyzes in this case are not informative, and even with FGDS to identify and destroy all the larvae will be problematic.

The only option is dispensary registration during the year, which implies regular visits to a parasitologist or infectious diseases specialist, general and biochemical blood tests, repeated FGDS.

Drug therapy for anisacidosis

We have already mentioned that an effective universal regimen for the treatment of parasitic disease caused by nematodes of the Anisakidae family has not been developed to this day. Most of the antiparasitic drugs used in various helminth infections have not shown the expected efficacy. Moreover, in some patients, their use provoked the migration of anizakiz larvae to other organs.

But since there are still no other drugs to combat nematodes, scientists continue to test various treatment regimens and dosages of existing drugs. Thus, cases of successful disposal of anizakid were reported in connection with the use of the drug "Albendazole."

"Albendazole" refers to the number of antiprotozoal (acts on the simplest inhibiting protein synthesis in cells and destroying cell membranes) and anthelmintic drugs. And although there is no information on the sensitivity of anizakid in this medicine in the instructions, it is attractive that the medicine can affect parasites at any stage of their life cycle, destroying both intestinal and interstitial "guests".[1]

For various parasitic infections, therapeutic regimens of different duration and daily dosage are used. Usually, one or two Albendazole tablets with a dosage of 400 mg per day are administered per day. In the treatment of anisacidosis, the causative agent of which has a certain resistance to traditional anthelmintic drugs, doctors tend to prescribe maximum doses (400 mg twice a day).

The course of treatment may vary significantly depending on the rate of disappearance of the symptoms of the disease and information of repeated FGDS, but it will still be more than with other local parasitic infections, which can be managed in 1-5 days.

Contraindications to the appointment of the drug may be hypersensitivity to the active substance or auxiliary components of the drug, diseases of the retina, severe rare phenylketonuria disease. The drug is not prescribed to children younger than 3 years and pregnant women, because it has a teratogenic effect on the fetus. At the planning stage of pregnancy, the drug can be taken, but conception in this case should occur no earlier than 1 menstrual cycle after termination of anizakizoz therapy. During treatment, you will have to give up breastfeeding.

The drug has many side effects. Reactions from the gastrointestinal tract are in many ways similar to the symptoms of the disease itself: nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, flatulence, abnormal stools, as well as heartburn, drying of the mucous membranes of the mouth, the development of stomatitis. While taking the drug, blood pressure and heart rate may increase, various sleep disorders (increased drowsiness or insomnia), headaches, dizziness, hallucinations may occur, the composition of the blood changes. Convulsions and blurred vision, fever, bone and joint pain, allergic and anaphylactic reactions are also possible.

The drug has a negative effect on the liver and kidneys, which may be accompanied by corresponding symptoms indicating a violation of the function of organs.

In general, antiparasitic therapy with drugs intended for this purpose, possessing a certain level of toxicity, is not much more pleasant than helminthiasis itself.

In order to somehow alleviate the condition of patients with anisacidosis and reduce the negative effects of irritation and damage to the mucous membrane of the gastrointestinal tract, doctors prescribe the same drugs as for gastrointestinal diseases of an inflammatory nature: antacids, envelopes, antispasmodics, antiemetics, and pancreatic lesions or strong inflammation of the stomach and enzyme preparations.

To relieve pain and spasms caused by irritation of the sensitive lining of the stomach, doctors usually prescribe "No-silo" (domestic analogue - "Drotaverinum"). This drug has a relaxing effect on the smooth muscles of the gastrointestinal tract, without having a decisive influence on the work of the heart and blood vessels.

The standard dose for adults is 3-6 tablets (120-240 mg). The daily dose is usually divided into 2 or 3 doses. In the treatment of children over 6 years old and adolescents over 12 years old, dosages of 80 and 160 mg, respectively, are applied.

Contraindications for the drug a little. This is an increased sensitivity to its components, as well as severe diseases of the liver, kidneys or heart, which are accompanied by a violation of their performance.

Antispasmodic practically has no side effects. Allergic reactions, lowering blood pressure or an increase in heart rate, headaches and insomnia, nausea and stool disorders are symptoms that have been reported in isolated cases and cannot be considered as statistics.

To accelerate the healing of the mucous membrane, antacids with an enveloping action that protect the intestinal membrane of the gastrointestinal tract from additional irritation are considered most suitable. The truth is that such agents do not act on parasites in any way, therefore their use gives the best results after preliminary removal or destruction of helminth larvae.

One of the most popular gastroenterologists' favorite antacids of enveloping and acid-lowering action is Fosfalugel. In addition to the above properties, the drug is characterized by an absorbing effect, which helps to reduce the toxic effect on the body of antiparasitic drugs and nematodes. True, provided that the interval between taking "Phosphalugel" and other drugs will be at least 1.5-2 hours. Otherwise, the antacid will reduce the absorption and effectiveness of peroral medications.

Most often, these drugs are used in the treatment of gastrointestinal diseases occurring against the background of increased acidity of the stomach, but with intestinal infections, intoxications, anisacidosis and other parasitic diseases with damage to the inner membrane of the digestive organs, Fosfalyugel provides an invaluable service. It helps to extinguish excess acid with its irritant effect, and also forms a film, protecting the already damaged gastrointestinal wall from additional irritation, reducing the pain caused by inflammation and irritation of nerve endings, flatulence and other symptoms of the disease.

The drug is available in a convenient form - bags for a single use, which you need to pre-knead, cut off a corner and squeeze the contents into a spoon or glass. The gel is quite pleasant sweetish taste is used in its pure form, but it can also be diluted slightly with water.

The drug is prescribed for anisacidosis 2 or 3 times a day. A single dose of 1-2 sachets (no more than 6 sachets per day). Antacid is prescribed 1-2 hours later after a meal, as well as with increased pain. The course of treatment depends on the rate of healing of the mucous membrane, but it should not exceed 14 days.

It is not recommended to use the drug for hypersensitivity to its constituents, Alzheimer's disease, severe epigastric pain of unknown origin, for constipation and chronic diarrhea. Exceeding the recommended doses of medication is fraught with constipation, intestinal obstruction, and impaired renal function in patients suffering from severe pathologies of this organ. To avoid constipation, it is recommended to use more water during treatment.

The second most common side effect are allergic reactions, which, however, occur only in people with hypersensitivity to the individual components of the drug. Sorbitol in the composition of the drug in some patients may cause diarrhea.

Since many people have anisacidosis against the background of general body sensitization with the development of mild and severe allergic reactions, doctors consider it necessary to include antihistamine (antiallergic) drugs into the treatment regimen. The most effective and safe for today, according to most researchers, are preparations of loratadine and its derivatives.

“Freebris” is a modern antihistamine drug with anti-inflammatory action based on desloratadine, which is devoid of side effects inherent in medicines of past generations. The drug is produced in the form of tablets and syrup, which makes it possible to use it in the treatment of young children.[2]

Adult patients and adolescents over 12 years old can be prescribed both in pills and in the form of syrup. A single (daily) dose of the drug is 1 tablet or 10 ml of syrup.

Once a day, children of 6-12 years old are given 5 ml of syrup, babies 2-6 years old - 2.5 ml regardless of food intake.

The course of drug treatment does not exceed 2 weeks.

Like other drugs, "Fibris" is not prescribed to patients with hypersensitivity to the components of the drug. Syrup contains sugar, so it is not recommended for patients with diabetes. Do not take medication and pregnant women because of the ability to penetrate the hemato-placental barrier.

Women with babies will have to give up at the time of treatment for breastfeeding, and it will be possible to resume it no earlier than 2-3 days after taking the last dose of the drug.

Modern antihistamine drug has few side effects, so the treatment of it is easily tolerated by most patients. In isolated cases, there were complaints of dry mouth, headaches and fatigue, which may be a symptom of the disease. There were also reports of tachycardia, palpitations, malfunction of the liver, there were few such episodes.

The most annoying thing is that even compliance with all the requirements of a doctor regarding a multi-component treatment for anisacidosis does not guarantee pampering and complete cure.

Alternative treatment

The difficulties of diagnosing the disease and the lack of 100% effective treatment for unusual helminthiasis do not bother people who are actively looking for their own ways to solve the problem. But in this situation it is necessary to speak not so much about the search for new ways, as about the application of the old proven methods of treating worms to anisacidosis.

Usually, worm means popular pinworms. This helminthia in childhood probably affected most people (and more than once). But the fact is that despite the external similarity of roundworms, pinworms and anisakids are completely different parasites with different sensitivity to the aggressive influence of environmental factors.

Popular among the people methods of dealing with pinworms in the form of eating garlic and a large number of pumpkin seeds are unlikely to work on anizakid larvae, which neither acid of gastric juice nor potent synthetic drugs take. The proposal to treat helminthiasis with black and hot peppers is also not supported by doctors (think only what effect burning substances can have on the inflamed gastrointestinal tract mucosa!), Moreover, similar options for combating nematodes will rather contribute not to expelling the parasites, but changing their location, for example, penetration to other organs.

Herbal therapy used for many helminthiasis does not help with anisacidosis. Usually for the purpose of expelling worms apply bitter herbs: wormwood, tansy, celandine and others. But the problem is that most of these herbs in high concentrations have high toxicity, and instead of benefits can cause significant harm to human health. And standard dosages do not give the expected effect.

Another thing is if herbs are used as an anti-inflammatory agent, as is done in gastroenterology. Chamomile, plantain, St. John's wort, yarrow, calendula, nettle - these are the common herbs that will help to quickly relieve pain and inflammation in the digestive tract, accelerate the healing of small wounds on the walls of organs, and dill seeds, mint, lemon balm, thyme will help to quickly cope with meteorism and reduce abdominal discomfort.[3]

Homeopathy

Numerous studies conducted do not provide conclusive evidence that homeopathic medicines are clinically different from placebo. Until more convincing research results are obtained, homeopathy cannot be considered as an evidence-based form of therapy.[4], [5], [6]

Homeopathy today is the branch of alternative medicine, which is the main competition for classical treatment. More and more people are inclined to believe that in order to treat most diseases it is not at all necessary to poison your body with chemistry. This also applies to helminthiasis, drugs for the treatment of which have known toxicity.

But the situation is such that in the arsenal of homeopaths there are also no effective drugs for anisacidosis, although many other helminth infections can be treated with specific and constitutional means.

Internet forums are actively discussing the treatment of helminthiasis with homeopathy. Usually the sentences sound like this: “I have found a scheme for treating girl’s helminthiasis” or “this remedy took the worms to me and my children”. That is, people do not understand the difference between worms and other nematodes and do not realize that approaches to the treatment of different helminth infections will be different. Not to mention the fact that homeopathic treatment does not have specific schemes at all and is prescribed individually.

On the Internet, you can find references to various antiparasitic agents based on homeopathic ("Helminton", "Gelminthol") and herbal ("Intoxic", "Antiparasite") components. But after studying the descriptions of these drugs, you can see that the mention of anicasides is again absent. Is it worth it to check for yourself the effectiveness of such drugs for everyone, everyone decides for himself, but doctors are extremely skeptical or even negative about such experiments.