What this covers
Intestinal worms are common in Nigeria, especially in children, and contribute to anaemia, poor growth, and malnutrition. Periodic deworming is recommended for children in many communities, while adults generally deworm based on exposure and symptoms rather than a fixed ritual.
Safe-use guidance
- Children in areas where worms are common are typically dewormed periodically — school and community programmes often handle this; ask your pharmacist what fits your area.
- Deworm the whole household at the same time to prevent reinfection ping-pong.
- Prevention matters as much as tablets: handwashing, washing fruits and vegetables, wearing footwear outdoors, and safe drinking water.
- Symptoms like visible worms, persistent stomach pain, itching around the anus at night, or unexplained anaemia warrant deworming and possibly testing.
- Repeat doses are sometimes needed for certain worms — follow the pharmacist's advice on timing.
Cautions
- Monthly deworming 'for the body' is unnecessary — overuse without cause is wasted medicine.
- Pregnant women should not self-deworm; timing and choice of medicine in pregnancy need professional guidance.
- Very young children need age-appropriate products — check before giving any dewormer to a child under two.
- Persistent symptoms after deworming may mean a different parasite or another condition entirely — get tested.
How GoDoctor helps
Ask a GoDoctor pharmacist how often your family actually needs deworming and which product suits each age. Family-pack deworming can be delivered together so everyone is treated at once.
Prescription medicines always require an in-app consultation with a licensed doctor first — the e-prescription then goes straight to a licensed partner pharmacy for dispensing and delivery.