Mebendazole oral
- Drugs List
- Therapeutic Indications
- Dosage
- Contraindications
- Precautions and Warnings
- Pregnancy and Lactation
- Side Effects
- Monograph
Presentation
Oral formulations of mebendazole.
Drugs List
Therapeutic Indications
Uses
American hookworms
Hookworms
Roundworms
Threadworms
Whipworms
Broad spectrum anthelmintic for the treatment of single or mixed infections of:
Threadworm/pinworm (Enterobius vermicularis)
Roundworm (Ascaris lumbricoides)
Whipworm (Trichuris trichiura)
Common hookworm (Ancylostoma duodenale)
American hookworm (Necator americanus)
Not all available brands are licensed for all indications. Pharmacy products are for the treatment of threadworm infestations only.
Dosage
Adults
Threadworm/pinworm
100mg as a single dose.
This should be followed by a further 100mg dose after two weeks if re-infection is suspected.
Common hookworm; Whipworm; American hookworm
100mg twice daily for three consecutive days.
Roundworm
100mg twice daily for three consecutive days.
OR
500mg as a single dose may be a suitable unlicensed dose.
Children
Children 2 to 18 years
(See Dosage; Adult).
The following unlicensed alternative dosing schedules may be suitable:
Threadworms
Children aged 6 months to 2 years (unlicensed)
100mg as a single dose.
This should be followed by a further 100mg dose after two weeks if re-infection is suspected.
Whipworms; Hookworms
Children aged 1 to 2 years (unlicensed)
100mg twice daily for three consecutive days.
Roundworms
Children aged 1 to 2 years (unlicensed)
100mg twice daily for three consecutive days.
Additional Dosage Information
Threadworm infestations
To avoid re-infection, it is recommended that all members of the family are treated at the same time.
Contraindications
Children under 1 year
Pregnancy
Precautions and Warnings
Children aged 1 to 2 years
Breastfeeding
Glucose-galactose malabsorption syndrome
Hereditary fructose intolerance
Not all available brands are licensed for all indications
Some formulations contain sucrose
Some formulations contain sunset yellow (E110); may cause allergic reaction
Advise patient to consult a doctor if symptoms persist despite treatment
Mebendazole should be used in children aged 1 to 2 years only if the potential benefit outweighs the risk.
Pregnancy and Lactation
Pregnancy
Mebendazole is contraindicated during pregnancy.
The manufacturer recommends women who suspect they may be pregnant should not take mebendazole. Animal studies have shown embryotoxic and teratogenic effects at single oral doses approximately equivalent to human doses based on BSA, however, this effect has not been observed in other animal species. Available data following use in human pregnancy does not provide conclusive results. Mebendazole is poorly absorbed from the human gut.
Lactation
Use mebendazole with caution during breastfeeding
The manufacturers advises caution if mebendazole is administered to breastfeeding women. At the time of writing, limited data indicate that mebendazole is poorly excreted into breast milk. Mebendazole is also poorly absorbed from the gut and is highly protein bound. Therefore, it is unlikely that mebendazole would be transmitted to the infant in clinically significant concentrations.
Side Effects
Abdominal discomfort
Abdominal pain
Abnormal liver function tests
Agranulocytosis
Alopecia
Anaphylactic reaction
Anaphylactoid reaction
Angioedema
Convulsions
Diarrhoea
Dizziness
Exanthema
Flatulence
Glomerulonephritis
Hepatitis
Hypersensitivity reactions
Nausea
Neutropenia
Rash
Stevens-Johnson syndrome
Toxic epidermal necrolysis
Urticaria
Vomiting
Overdosage
It is strongly recommended that the UK National Poisons Information Service be consulted on cases of suspected or actual overdose where there is doubt over the degree of risk or about appropriate management.
The following number will direct the caller to the relevant local centre (0844) 892 0111
Information may be obtained if you have access to ToxBase the primary clinical toxicology database of the National Poisons Information Service. This is available via password on the internet ( www.toxbase.org ) or if this is unavailable at the backup site ( www.toxbasebackup.org ).
Further Information
Last Full Review Date: September 2019
Reference Sources
Drugs in Pregnancy and Lactation: A Reference Guide to Fetal and Neonatal Risk, 10th edition (2015) ed. Briggs, G., Freeman, R. Wolters Kluwer Health, Philadelphia.
Medications and Mothers' Milk, Sixteenth Edition (2014) Hale, T and Rowe, H, Hale Publishing, Plano, Texas.
Summary of Product Characteristics: Ovex Suspension. McNeil Products Ltd. Revised March 2018.
Summary of Product Characteristics: Ovex Tablets. McNeil Products Ltd. Revised March 2018.
Summary of Product Characteristics: Vermox 100mg Tablets. Janssen-Cilag Ltd. Revised February 2021.
Summary of Product Characteristics: Vermox 100mg/5ml Oral Suspension. Janssen-Cilag Ltd. Revised February 2021.
NHS National electronic Library for Medicines.
Medicines Q&A 202.3 How should threadworms be treated during pregnancy?
Available at: https://www.nhstaysideadtc.scot.nhs.uk/Antibiotic%20site/pdf%20docs/UKMI%20threadworms%20in%20pregnancy.pdf
Last revised: 27 June 2013
Last accessed: 11 September 2019
NICE Evidence Services Available at: www.nice.org.uk Last accessed: 11 May 2022
US National Library of Medicine. Toxicology Data Network. Drugs and Lactation Database (LactMed).
Available at: https://toxnet.nlm.nih.gov/cgi-bin/sis/htmlgen?LACT
Mebendazole. Last revised: 31 October 2018
Last accessed: 11 September 2019
Medscape UK | Univadis prescription drug monographs & interactions are based on FDB Multilex Content
FDB Disclaimer : FDB Multilex is intended for the use of healthcare professionals and is provided on the basis that the healthcare professionals will retain FULL and SOLE responsibility for deciding what treatment to prescribe or dispense for any particular patient or circumstance.