Baby Safety / Compounds / Pyrantel

Is Pyrantel safe for babies and kids?

Moderate risk for kids

Infants have immature drug-metabolizing enzymes (CYP450 ontogeny), reduced renal clearance, and different volume of distribution. Accidental exposure or breast milk transfer of Pyrantel poses heightened risk.

What is pyrantel?

The IUPAC name is 1-methyl-2-[(E)-2-thiophen-2-ylethenyl]-5,6-dihydro-4H-pyrimidine.

Also known as: 1-methyl-2-[(E)-2-thiophen-2-ylethenyl]-5,6-dihydro-4H-pyrimidine, Pyrequan, Pirantel, Pyrantelum.

IUPAC name
1-methyl-2-[(E)-2-thiophen-2-ylethenyl]-5,6-dihydro-4H-pyrimidine
CAS number
15686-83-6
Molecular formula
C11H14N2S
Molecular weight
206.31 g/mol
SMILES
CN1CCCN=C1C=CC2=CC=CS2
PubChem CID
708857

Risk for babies

Moderate risk

Infants have immature drug-metabolizing enzymes (CYP450 ontogeny), reduced renal clearance, and different volume of distribution. Accidental exposure or breast milk transfer of Pyrantel poses heightened risk.

Neonates and infants up to 12 months have incomplete blood-brain barrier development, immature Phase I/II metabolic enzymes (particularly CYP3A4, UGT1A1), and higher gastrointestinal permeability. Equivalent doses produce higher internal concentrations and longer residence times.

What to do: Minimize infant exposure through source control. For breastfeeding mothers: reduce maternal exposure. For formula-fed infants: use certified low-migration bottles and verified water sources. Consult pediatrician regarding any concerns.

Risk for pregnant and nursing people

Elevated risk

Pyrantel poses pregnancy risk through potential teratogenicity, altered pharmacokinetics (increased blood volume, changed CYP activity), and placental transfer. FDA pregnancy category should be evaluated.

Suspected reproductive toxicant (GHS H361) or suspected endocrine disruptor. Precautionary approach warranted. Animal studies or limited human data suggest developmental toxicity potential.

What to do: Minimize exposure during pregnancy and lactation. Consult healthcare provider regarding specific risks. Consider alternative products with lower hazard profiles.

Regulatory consensus

1 regulatory bodyhas classified Pyrantel.

AgencyYearClassificationNotes
IARC2023Not evaluated by IARC as carcinogenic — pyrantel (as pyrantel pamoate or pyrantel embonate) is an FDA OTC-approved anthelmintic for pinworm and roundworm in humans; widely used in veterinary medicine; acts as a depolarizing neuromuscular blocking agent and acetylcholinesterase inhibitor in helminths; low systemic absorption; favorable safety profile

Regulators apply different standards of evidence — animal-data weighting, exposure-pattern assumptions, epidemiological power thresholds — which is why two scientific bodies can review the same data and reach different conclusions. The disagreement is the data.

Where kids encounter pyrantel

  • Industrial Facilities — Manufacturing plants, Chemical storage areas, Waste treatment sites
  • Occupational Environments — Factories, Warehouses, Transportation vehicles

Safer alternatives

Lower-risk approaches that achieve a similar outcome to Pyrantel:

  • Alternative drug class; Non-pharmacological therapy; Lowest effective dose
    Trade-offs: Direct chemical substitution requires verification that the replacement does not introduce new hazards (regrettable substitution). Conduct full hazard assessment of proposed alternative before adoption.
    Relative cost: 1.2-2×

Frequently asked questions

Is pyrantel safe for kids?

Infants have immature drug-metabolizing enzymes (CYP450 ontogeny), reduced renal clearance, and different volume of distribution. Accidental exposure or breast milk transfer of Pyrantel poses heightened risk.

What products contain pyrantel?

Pyrantel appears in: Manufacturing plants (Industrial facilities); Chemical storage areas (Industrial facilities); Factories (Occupational environments); Warehouses (Occupational environments).

What should I do if my child is exposed to pyrantel?

Minimize infant exposure through source control. For breastfeeding mothers: reduce maternal exposure. For formula-fed infants: use certified low-migration bottles and verified water sources. Consult pediatrician regarding any concerns.

See Pyrantel in the baby app

Look up products containing pyrantel, compare to alternatives, and explore the full data record.

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Sources (1)
  1. Pyrantel Pamoate FDA OTC Pin-X Reese's Pinworm; WHO Essential Medicine STH; Nicotinic AChR Agonist Depolarizing Neuromuscular Block; Acetylcholinesterase Inhibitor Nematode Selective; Low Oral Bioavailability <15% Fecal Excretion; Safe Pregnancy WHO STH MDA; Piperazine Antagonism Avoid Combination; Veterinary Strongid Horse Dog; IARC Not Evaluated (2023) — regulatory

Reference data, not professional advice. Aggregates publicly available regulatory and scientific data; not a substitute for veterinary, medical, legal, or regulatory advice. Why we built ALETHEIA →