Mebendazole

Mebendazole is a prescription medication used to treat Pinworm (enteroblus vermicularis), Roundworm (Ascaris lumbricoides), Whipworm (Trichuris trichiura), and Hookworm (Ancylostoma duodenale, Necator americanus) infections .

• Mebendazole is available under the following different brand names: Emverm, Vermox 

Adult and Pediatric dosage

Tablet, chewable

• 100mg (Emverm)
• 500mg (Vermox)

Pinworm (Enterobius vermicularis)

Adult dosage

• 100 mg orally as a single dose
• If cure is not achieved 3 weeks after treatment, a second course of treatment is advised

Pediatric dosage

• Children younger than 2 years of age: Safety and efficacy not established
• Emverm: Children 2 years of age or older: 100 mg orally as a single dose
• If cure is not achieved 3 weeks after treatment, a second course of treatment is advised 

Roundworm (Ascaris lumbricoides)

Adult dosage

• Emverm: 100 mg orally every 12 hours for 3 days; if cure is not achieved 3 weeks after treatment, a second course of treatment is advised
• Vermox: 500 mg orally as a single dose

Pediatric dosage

Emverm

• Children younger than 2 years of age: Safety and efficacy not established
• Children 2 years of age or older: 100 mg orally every 12 hours for 3 days
• If cure is not achieved 3 weeks after treatment, a second course of treatment is advised

Vermox

• Children younger than 1 year of age: Safety and efficacy not established
• Children 1 years of age of older: 500 mg orally as a single dose

Whipworm (Trichuris trichiura)

Adult dosage

• Emverm: 100 mg orally every 12 hours for 3 consecutive days; if cure is not achieved 3 weeks after treatment, a second course of treatment is advised
• Vermox: 500 mg orally as a single dose

Pediatric dosage

Emverm

• Children younger than 2 years of age: Safety and efficacy not established
• Children 2 years of age or older: 100 mg orally every 12 hours for 3 days
• If cure is not achieved 3 weeks after treatment, a second course of treatment is advised

Vermox

• Children younger than 1 year of age: Safety and efficacy not established
• Children 1 years of age of older: 500 mg orally as a single dose

Hookworm (Ancylostoma duodenale, Necator americanus)

Adult dosage

• Emverm: 100 mg orally every 12 hours for 3 consecutive days; if cure is not achieved 3 weeks after treatment, a second course of treatment is advised

Pediatric dosage

Emverm

• Children younger than 2 years of age: Safety and efficacy not established
• Children 2 years of age or older: 100 mg orally every 12 hours for 3 consecutive days
• If cure is not achieved 3 weeks after treatment, a second course of treatment is advised

Dosage Considerations – Should be Given as Follows: 

• See "Dosages:"

Common side effects of Mebendazole include:

• nausea, 
• vomiting, 
• loss of appetite, 
• diarrhea, 
• stomach pain, 
• gas, and
• rash

Serious side effects of Mebendazole include:

• hives, 
• difficulty breathing, 
• swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat, 
• sudden weakness, 
• ill feeling, 
• fever, 
• chills, 
• sore throat, 
• mouth sores, 
• red or swollen gums, 
• trouble swallowing, 
• easy bruising or bleeding, 
• sores around the eyes, nose, moth, or genitals, and
• skin rash that spreads and causes blistering and peeling

Rare side effects of Mebendazole include:

• none 

If your medical doctor is using this medicine to treat your pain, your doctor or pharmacist may already be aware of any possible drug interactions and may be monitoring you for them.  Do not start, stop, or change the dosage of any medicine before checking with your doctor, health care provider or pharmacist first.

• Mebendazole has severe interactions with no other drugs.
• Mebendazole has serious interactions with the following drugs:
  • deferiprone
  • ethotoin
  • fosphenytoin
  • metronidazole
  • phenytoin
• Mebendazole has moderate interactions with the following drugs:
  • acalabrutinib
  • cimetidine
• Mebendazole has minor interactions with the following drugs:
• carbamazepine

This information does not contain all possible interactions or adverse effects. Visit the RxList Drug Interaction Checker for any drugs interactions. Therefore, before using this product, tell your doctor or pharmacist of all the products you use.  Keep a list of all your medications with you, and share this information with your doctor and pharmacist.  Check with your health care professional or doctor for additional medical advice, or if you have health questions, concerns.

Contraindications

• Hypersensitivity 

Effects of drug abuse

• None

Short-Term Effects

• See “What are Side Effects Associated with Using Mebendazole?”

Long-Term Effects

• See “What Are Side Effects Associated with Using Mebendazole?”

Cautions

• Neutropenia and agranulocytosis reported with high doses
• Not effective for hydatid disease
• Systemic exposure may increase with hepatic impairment

Pregnancy and Lactation

• Use with caution in pregnancy if the benefits outweigh the risks. 
• Excretion in milk is unknown; use with caution.