What is mebendazole?
Mebendazole is an "antihelmintic," or anti-worm, medication. It prevents worms from growing or multiplying in your body. Mebendazole is used to treat infections caused by worms such as whipworm, pinworm, roundworm, and hookworm. It is also used to treat infections caused by more than one of these worms at the same time. Mebendazole may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this medication guide.
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What are the possible side effects of mebendazole?
Stop taking mebendazole and seek emergency medical attention if you experience an
allergic reaction (swelling of your lips, tongue, or face; shortness of breath; closing of your throat; or
hives).
Other, less serious side effects may be more likely to occur. Continue to take mebendazole
and talk to your doctor if you experience abdominal pain, diarrhea, or a fever.
Side effects other than those listed here may also occur. Talk to your doctor about any side
effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome.
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How should I take mebendazole?
Take mebendazole exactly as directed by your doctor. If you do not understand these directions, ask your pharmacist, nurse, or doctor to explain them to you. Take each dose with a full glass of water. Mebendazole tablets may be swallowed, chewed, or crushed and mixed with food. Take all of the mebendazole that has been prescribed for you even if you begin to feel better. Your symptoms may start to improve before the infection is completely treated. It may be up to 3 days after treatment before the worm is removed from your stomach and intestines. The amount of time it takes to cure the infection depends on how susceptible the worm is to mebendazole, and how quickly your own digestive system is moving. If the infection has not been cured within 3 weeks, a second treatment may be necessary.
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What is the most important information I should know about mebendazole?
Follow your doctor's instructions about treatment; about the washing of clothes, linens, and towels; and about household disinfecting. Pinworm infections are easily spread from one person to another. Mebendazole tablets may be swallowed, chewed, or crushed and mixed with food.
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What happens if I miss a dose?
Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. However, if it is almost time for the next dose, skip the dose you missed and take only the next regularly scheduled dose. Do not take a double dose of this medication.
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What other drugs will affect mebendazole?
Medicines used to treat seizures, such as phenytoin (Dilantin), ethotoin (Peganone), mephenytoin (Mesantoin), and carbamazepine (Tegretol), may decrease the effects of mebendazole. Tell your doctor if you are taking any of these medications so that your therapy can be monitored. Drugs other than those listed here may also interact with mebendazole. Talk to your doctor and pharmacist before taking any prescription or over-the-counter medicines, including vitamins, minerals, and herbal products.
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Can I take this if I am pregnant or trying to get pregnant or if I am breastfeeding?
Mebendazole has been assigned to pregnancy category C by the FDA. Animal studies have revealed evidence of fetotoxicity and teratogenicity. There are no controlled data in human pregnancy. However, mebendazole has been used during pregnancy without evidence of fetal harm. Mebendazole is only recommended for use during pregnancy when benefit outweighs risk.
There are no data on the excretion of mebendazole into human milk. Because of the potential for serious adverse reactions in nursing infants, a decision should be made to discontinue nursing or discontinue the drug, taking into account the importance of the drug to the mother.
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What does my medication look like?
Mebendazole is available with a prescription under the brand name Vermox in 100 mg chewable tablets. Other brand or generic formulations may also be available. Ask your pharmacist any questions you have about this medication, especially if it is new to you.
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What happens if I overdose?
Seek emergency medical attention if an overdose is suspected. Symptoms of a mebendazole overdose include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal pain.
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What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking mebendazole?
Before taking mebendazole, tell your doctor about any other medical conditions that you have. Mebendazole is in the FDA pregnancy category C. This means that it is not known whether it will be harmful to an unborn baby. Do not take mebendazole without first talking to your doctor if you are pregnant or could become pregnant during treatment. It is not known whether mebendazole passes into breast milk and how it might affect a nursing baby. Do not take mebendazole without first talking to your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.
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Can I stop taking the medication if I feel better?
If you have been diagnosed with a disease for which an antibiotic is needed, you must complete the prescribed course of treatment. Even if you start to feel better, do not skip any doses and remember to take the medication until it is all gone.
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I am on so many medications; do I have to take them all?
This is called polypharmacy—many different medications being used at the same time by one person. Sometimes, being on multiple medications is acceptable and appropriate but at other times it may be problematic. If you are receiving your medications from multiple physicians you need to ensure that they all know what medications you are taking. The best way to do this is to make a list of all the medications you are currently using, including all nutritional supplements, homeopathic remedies, vitamins and over-the-counter drugs (if possible, also include all the diseases you have been diagnosed with). Give a copy to every doctor who takes care of you so they have it on file, this way they can avoid duplicating medications and perhaps even try to consolidate some. After every doctor's visit remember to update the list accordingly. Also, as much as you possibly can, try to use the same pharmacy to fill all your prescriptions, this way any potential drug interactions can be caught and averted.
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