Intestinal Parasite Treatment Guidelines

First-Line Treatment Options

For individuals living in areas with high prevalence of intestinal parasites, a single dose of albendazole 400 mg plus a single dose of ivermectin 200 μg/kg is recommended as empirical treatment for possible prepatent or undetected geohelminth infections 1
The World Health Organization recommends albendazole 400 mg or mebendazole 100 mg twice daily for 3 days as first-line treatment in mass deworming programs 4
Albendazole 400 mg as a single dose is recommended for hookworm infections 2
Albendazole 400 mg as a single dose or mebendazole 100 mg twice daily for 3 days is recommended for roundworm infections 4
Praziquantel 25 mg/kg as a single dose is recommended for dwarf tapeworm infections 2, 4
Praziquantel 10 mg/kg as a single dose is recommended for tapeworm infections 4

Concentrated stool microscopy is the first-line diagnostic test for most intestinal helminths 1, 3
For Strongyloides, serology and specialized stool techniques are recommended due to lower sensitivity of standard microscopy 1
Fecal PCR offers higher sensitivity when available 3

Hand hygiene with soap and water, particularly before eating and after defecation, is recommended 4
Wearing shoes in endemic areas is recommended to prevent hookworm infection 2
Treatment of household contacts is recommended for highly contagious parasites like pinworm 5

For children aged 12-24 months, consultation with an expert is recommended before empirical treatment 1
Loa loa should be excluded in people who have traveled to endemic regions before treating with ivermectin 1
For immunocompromised patients, specialist advice is recommended as treatment regimens may need modification 1