List of Deworming Drugs in Nigeria, Including Dosage and Price (ogun aran inu)

Deworming drugs (known locally as Ogun Aran Inu in Yoruba or Ichir mbi mbaaningoh in Tiv) are anthelmintic medications used to remove parasitic worms from the body. In Nigeria, intestinal worm infestations are common because of undercooked meat (such as suya, asun, and pork), unwashed hands, contaminated water, and walking barefoot on infected soil.

Counterfeit medications are widely sold in open markets, so always buy from a licensed pharmacy, check the packaging and labels, and confirm the correct age-based and weight-based dose with a healthcare professional.

Understanding Intestinal Worms and Their Symptoms

When parasitic worms live in your digestive tract, they take nutrients before your body can absorb them. This can lead to constant tiredness, unexplained weight loss, and vitamin deficiencies even when you eat well.

Type	Worms Common in Nigeria	Common Symptoms
Roundworms	Ascaris (large roundworm) Hookworm Pinworm Threadworm	Constant tiredness Abdominal pain or cramping Nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea Intense itching around the anus or vulva at night (a classic sign of pinworms) Visible worms in stool Some infestations cause no symptoms for years
Flatworms	Tapeworms Flukes (often from undercooked beef, pork, and fresh fish)	Abdominal discomfort Weight loss Tapeworm segments in stool

Common Deworming Drugs and Prices in Nigeria (2026)

This table lists the most common anthelmintics in Nigerian pharmacies, how they work, and their estimated prices. Prices change often with inflation, wholesale supply, and your state, so use them as a guide only.

Drug and Local Brands	How It Works	Form and Usual Adult Dose	Estimated Price (₦)
Albendazole (e.g., Zentel, Zolat, Alben)	Blocks glucose absorption, so the worm starves and dies.	Adults and children over 2 years: 400 mg tablet (single dose) Pinworm: repeat the dose after 2 weeks Less effective against whipworm Children: 200 mg/5 ml oral suspension, with the dose set by age	Tablets: 1,500 to 3,500 Suspension: 2,500 to 4,500
Mebendazole (e.g., Vermox, Mebex)	Stops the worm from taking in glucose, similar to albendazole.	Roundworm, hookworm, whipworm: 100 mg twice daily for 3 days, or 500 mg once Pinworm: 100 mg once, repeated after 2 weeks	Tablets: 1,200 to 2,500
Pyrantel Pamoate (e.g., Combantrin)	Paralyzes the worm’s nervous system so it passes out with stool.	250 mg/5 ml oral suspension Dose calculated strictly by body weight (11 mg per kg, maximum 1 g) Pinworm: repeat after 2 weeks	Suspension: 2,000 to 4,000
Praziquantel (targeted treatment)	Paralyzes flatworms. Used for tapeworms and schistosomiasis (Atosi Aje).	Prescription only. Not used for routine deworming and needs a laboratory test first.	Varies with the prescription
Ivermectin (targeted treatment)	Acts on microfilariae. Used for strongyloides and river blindness.	Given mainly through mass health programs. Dose is set strictly by weight.	Distributed mainly through health programs

Why You Need to Repeat Your Deworming Dose

Most deworming drugs kill adult worms but leave microscopic eggs unharmed. For pinworm, the CDC advises a second dose 2 weeks after the first, so that any worms that hatch in the meantime are destroyed before they can reproduce. Everyone in the household should be treated at the same time. For other worms, a repeat dose is only needed if symptoms or infection persist, so ask a pharmacist or doctor.

Safety and Hygiene Guide

Category	Precautions	Prevention
High-Risk Restrictions	Get medical advice first if you are pregnant (WHO advises deworming only after the first trimester), breastfeeding, treating a child under 2 years old, or have liver disease. Never take veterinary or livestock-grade albendazole. Use only NAFDAC-approved human medication.	WHO recommends deworming once or twice a year in areas where worms are common, especially for children who play in soil. Ask a pharmacist how often applies where you live. Mild side effects such as brief nausea, light stomach cramps, dizziness, or headache can occur.
Daily Hygiene	Wash your hands with soap and clean water before handling food. Cook all meat thoroughly, especially roadside suya and asun. Wash fruits and raw vegetables before eating.	Wear shoes or slippers outdoors to prevent hookworm from entering through bare skin.

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