Oral-Pro Pyrantel Pamoate at a glance
| Product | Oral-Pro® Pyrantel Pamoate Oral Suspension, Pinworm Treatment, Pharmacy Bulk Pack |
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| Manufacturer | Jefferson Labs, Northfield, Minnesota (NDC 51072-088) |
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| Strength | 50 mg pyrantel base per mL (as pyrantel pamoate) |
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| Label type | Human over-the-counter (OTC) drug, marketed under the FDA OTC monograph for pinworm treatment (M024) |
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| Label use | Treatment of pinworms |
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| Animal use | Not labeled for animals. Veterinarians and breeders commonly use pyrantel pamoate for roundworms and hookworms in young puppies; use in any animal only under your veterinarian's direction. |
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| Form | Oral suspension, vanilla custard flavor |
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| Sizes | 16 fl oz (473 mL) and 32 fl oz (946 mL) |
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| Storage | Store upright up to 25°C (77°F), with brief excursions to 40°C (104°F). Do not freeze. |
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| Prescription | No prescription needed to buy. Use in animals should follow your veterinarian's directions. |
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What Oral-Pro Pyrantel Pamoate Oral Suspension is
Pyrantel pamoate is a deworming drug. In this product it comes as a liquid suspension that contains the equivalent of 50 mg of pyrantel base in every mL. Doses are figured in milligrams of pyrantel base, not milligrams of the pamoate salt.
Oral-Pro is made by Jefferson Labs in Northfield, Minnesota. Its Drug Facts label lists one use: the treatment of pinworms. It is a human over-the-counter drug sold in large “pharmacy bulk pack” bottles rather than single-dose packages, so each dose has to be measured.
Pyrantel pamoate for puppies: the label, and how vets and breeders use it
Read this first: Oral-Pro carries a human over-the-counter Drug Facts label for pinworms. It is not labeled for dogs, puppies or any other animal, and its label dosing chart is for people.
The drug inside, pyrantel pamoate, is also one of the most widely used puppy dewormers in veterinary medicine. Veterinarians and breeders, including many of the breeders we work with, commonly give it to puppies 5 weeks old and younger for roundworms (Toxocara canis, Toxascaris leonina) and hookworms (Ancylostoma caninum, Uncinaria stenocephala).
- Why so young: roundworm larvae pass from the mother to her puppies before birth, and hookworms can pass through her milk. The Companion Animal Parasite Council (CAPC) advises vets to assume essentially every puppy carries developing roundworms.
- Common schedule: CAPC recommends treating all puppies with pyrantel pamoate at 2, 4, 6 and 8 weeks of age, then moving them to a monthly parasite preventive. VCA Animal Hospitals gives the same pattern: start at about 2 weeks and repeat every 2 weeks.
- Why repeat doses: pyrantel works on worms in the gut, not on larvae still migrating through the body, so one dose is not enough. Doses are repeated as those larvae reach the intestine.
- Why vets like it for young pups: CAPC notes that a palatable pyrantel liquid is easy to give to nursing puppies and may be the preferred choice for very young pups.
- The mother: CAPC recommends treating the nursing mother for roundworms at the same time as her litter. Ask your veterinarian what to use for her.
Commonly used puppy dose (confirm with your veterinarian)
The Merck Veterinary Manual lists pyrantel pamoate for dogs at 5 mg per kg of body weight (about 2.3 mg per pound) by mouth, and 10 mg per kg (about 4.5 mg per pound) for dogs weighing 2.3 kg (about 5 lb) or less. FDA-approved pyrantel suspensions for dogs use the same 2.3 mg-per-pound figure. These are commonly used doses, not directions from this product's label. Confirm the dose and schedule with your veterinarian before giving this product to any puppy.
Be careful with the math. Oral-Pro has 50 mg of pyrantel per mL, about 11 times stronger than puppy products such as Nemex-2 (4.54 mg per mL). A dose in mL for one product never carries over to another. For a small puppy the right amount of Oral-Pro is a fraction of a milliliter, so ask your veterinarian for the exact volume and measure it with a 1 mL oral syringe.
Giving a human drug to an animal is an extralabel use. Federal rules (21 CFR Part 530) allow it only by or on the order of a licensed veterinarian, so work with your vet on any puppy deworming plan. If you would rather use a product labeled for dogs, we carry RFD Liquid Wormer and Nemex-2 Suspension. For horses, use a horse-labeled product such as Strongid Paste.
Who the label says can use it, and who should not
Per the Drug Facts label (for people):
- For adults and children 2 years of age and older.
- Children under 2 years or under 25 lb: do not use unless directed by a physician.
- If you are pregnant or have liver disease, do not take this product unless directed by a physician.
- Take it only one time as a single dose. Do not repeat treatment unless directed by a physician.
- If any worms other than pinworms are present before or after treatment, or symptoms continue after treatment, consult a physician.
Label directions (for people)
- Shake well before use.
- The oral dose is a single dose of 5 mg of pyrantel base per pound (11 mg per kilogram) of body weight, not to exceed 1 gram.
- It can be taken any time of day, with or without meals, alone or with milk or fruit juice. A laxative is not needed.
- When one person in a household has pinworms, the label says the entire household should be treated unless otherwise advised.
Measure each dose with an accurate oral dosing syringe, such as our Monoject oral syringes. The full weight-based dosing table from the label is in the Label information section below.
Warnings and side effects
The label says abdominal cramps, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, headache or dizziness sometimes occur after taking this drug. If any of these persist, consult a physician. Keep this and all medications out of reach of children. In case of accidental overdose, seek professional assistance or contact a Poison Control Center right away. Do not use if the seal is open or broken.
Storage
- Store upright up to 25°C (77°F), with brief excursions to 40°C (104°F).
- Do not freeze.
- Shake well before each use.
Sizes
| Option | Volume | Pyrantel base per bottle |
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| 16 oz | 16 fl oz (473 mL) | About 23.6 grams |
| 32 oz | 32 fl oz (946 mL) | About 47.3 grams |
Both sizes are the same 50 mg/mL suspension. Current prices for each size are shown above.
Shipping and returns
- Both sizes are in our FLAT shipping program. See our shipping policy for details.
- FLAT items ship by UPS Ground or the U.S. Postal Service and usually arrive in 3 to 7 business days.
- Returns follow our return policy. Call 800-979-2869 for a return authorization.
Frequently asked questions
What is Oral-Pro Pyrantel Pamoate Oral Suspension?
It is an over-the-counter pinworm treatment made by Jefferson Labs. Each mL contains the equivalent of 50 mg of pyrantel base, as pyrantel pamoate, in a vanilla custard-flavored liquid. It comes in 16 oz and 32 oz pharmacy bulk pack bottles.
What strength is it?
50 mg of pyrantel base per mL. That is about 11 times stronger than puppy suspensions such as Nemex-2 (4.54 mg per mL), so mL amounts are never interchangeable between products.
What does pyrantel pamoate treat?
The Oral-Pro label lists one use: the treatment of pinworms in people. In veterinary medicine, pyrantel pamoate is widely used against roundworms and hookworms in dogs and puppies, but this product is not labeled for that use.
What is the label dosage for people?
For adults and children 2 years and older: a single dose of 5 mg of pyrantel base per pound (11 mg per kilogram) of body weight, not to exceed 1 gram. For example, the label table gives 1 teaspoonful (250 mg) for 38 to 62 lb. Do not use under 2 years of age or under 25 lb unless directed by a physician.
Is this a veterinary product?
No. Its label is a human over-the-counter Drug Facts label, and it is not FDA-approved or labeled for any animal. Pyrantel pamoate itself is a common veterinary dewormer, and veterinarians and breeders often use it in puppies under veterinary direction.
Can I use this pyrantel for my puppies?
It is not labeled for dogs. Veterinarians and breeders commonly use pyrantel pamoate in young puppies for roundworms and hookworms, but giving a human drug to an animal is an extralabel use that federal rules allow only under a veterinarian's direction. Your vet can give you the exact dose in mL for this 50 mg/mL suspension. If you prefer a dog-labeled product, see RFD Liquid Wormer or Nemex-2.
At what age are puppies usually dewormed with pyrantel?
The Companion Animal Parasite Council recommends pyrantel pamoate for all puppies at 2, 4, 6 and 8 weeks of age, followed by a monthly parasite preventive. VCA Animal Hospitals also advises starting at about 2 weeks and repeating every 2 weeks. Your veterinarian may adjust the schedule for your litter.
What pyrantel dose do veterinarians commonly use for puppies?
The Merck Veterinary Manual lists 5 mg per kg (about 2.3 mg per pound) by mouth, and 10 mg per kg (about 4.5 mg per pound) for puppies 5 lb or under. These are commonly used doses, not label directions for this product. Confirm the dose with your veterinarian, and measure the small volumes with a 1 mL oral syringe.
Why do puppies need more than one dose?
Pyrantel works on worms in the intestine, not on larvae still migrating through the body. Repeat doses every 2 weeks catch those worms as they reach the gut. Your veterinarian may also recommend fecal checks to confirm the worms are gone.
Can I use it to deworm horses?
It is not labeled for horses. For horses, use a product labeled for horses, such as Strongid Paste, and consult your veterinarian about your deworming program.
What side effects are listed?
The label says abdominal cramps, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, headache or dizziness sometimes occur. If they persist, consult a physician.
Should the whole household be treated?
The label says that when one individual in a household has pinworms, the entire household should be treated unless otherwise advised.
Do I need a prescription?
No prescription is needed to buy it; it is sold over the counter under the FDA monograph for pinworm treatment. Using it in an animal should be done under your veterinarian's direction.
What does “pharmacy bulk pack” mean?
That is how the label describes this package. It is a large multi-dose bottle, not a single-dose package, so each dose must be measured accurately. An oral dosing syringe works better than a kitchen spoon.
How should I store it?
Store the bottle upright up to 25°C (77°F), with brief excursions to 40°C (104°F). Do not freeze. Shake well before use.
Who makes Oral-Pro?
Jefferson Labs of Northfield, Minnesota, under NDC 51072-088. Questions about the product can go to Jefferson Labs at 1-888-215-1256.
Why buy from A to Z Vet Supply
- Straight answers about the label. We tell you what a product is labeled for and how breeders and vets actually use it, and we carry dog-labeled dewormers too.
- Two sizes. 16 oz and 32 oz bottles of the same 50 mg/mL suspension.
- Real people on the phone. Call 800-979-2869, Monday through Friday, 8 am to 5 pm Central.
- Based in Dresden, Tennessee. Our address is 9876 Hwy. 22, Dresden, TN 38225.
Label information
From the Oral-Pro Pyrantel Pamoate Oral Suspension Drug Facts label:
ORAL-PRO® Pyrantel Pamoate Oral Suspension. Pinworm Treatment. 50 mg/mL Pyrantel Base. Pharmacy Bulk Pack.
Active ingredient (each 1 mL contains): Pyrantel base (as Pyrantel Pamoate) 50 mg. Purpose: Pinworm treatment.
Indications: For the treatment of pinworms.
Warnings: Abdominal cramps, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, headache or dizziness sometimes occur after taking this drug. If any of these conditions persist, consult a physician. Keep this and all medications out of reach of children. In case of accidental overdose, seek professional assistance or contact a Poison Control Center immediately. If you are pregnant or have liver disease, do not take this product unless directed by a physician.
Directions: Shake well before use. Adults, children 12 years of age and over, and children 2 years to under 12 years of age: Oral dosage is a single dose of 5 milligrams of pyrantel base per pound, or 11 milligrams per kilogram, of body weight not to exceed 1 gram.
Pyrantel Pamoate Oral Suspension Dosage Guide (taken as a single dose): Less than 25 pounds or under 2 years old: do not use unless directed by a physician. 25 to 37 pounds: 1/2 teaspoonful (125 mg). 38 to 62 pounds: 1 teaspoonful (250 mg). 63 to 87 pounds: 1 1/2 teaspoonfuls (375 mg). 88 to 112 pounds: 2 teaspoonfuls (500 mg). 113 to 137 pounds: 2 1/2 teaspoonfuls (625 mg). 138 to 162 pounds: 3 teaspoonfuls (750 mg). 163 to 187 pounds: 3 1/2 teaspoonfuls (875 mg). 188 pounds and over: 4 teaspoonfuls (1,000 mg).
Other information: Each teaspoonful contains: Potassium 5 mg. Store upright up to 25° C (77° F) with brief excursions 40° C (104° F). DO NOT FREEZE.
Inactive ingredients: Citric acid, potassium sorbate, purified water, glycerin, sodium benzoate, sucralose, vanilla custard flavor, xanthan gum.
Manufactured by Jefferson Labs, Northfield, Minnesota 55057. 1-888-215-1256.
This page summarizes the manufacturer's Drug Facts label. Always read and follow the label on the product you receive. This product is not labeled for animals; consult your veterinarian before giving any medication to an animal.
