Meriben Suspension

Meriben Suspension is used to treat parasitic worm infections in paediatrics. Parasitic worm infections are intestinal worm infections that are caused by the ingestion of contaminated food and water. Meriben Suspension can be used to treat infections caused by roundworms, hookworms, threadworms, whipworms, pinworms, flukes, and other parasites. 

Meriben Suspension contains ‘albendazole’ and ‘ivermectin’, which work by keeping the worm from taking glucose and depleting its energy levels, leading to its immobilization. Ivermectin can kill the parasites by acting on the nervous system. It starves the worms by inducing paralysis, consequently leading them to death.

Meriben Suspension is for paediatric use only. Give Meriben Suspension to children as advised by the doctor. Meriben Suspension may cause some common side effects such as stomach pain, nausea, vomiting, headache, dizziness, decrease in white blood cell count (leucopenia), vision problems, confusion, weakness, and difficulty walking. Most of these side effects of Meriben Suspension do not require medical attention and gradually resolve over time. However, if these side effects persist or worsen, please consult your doctor.

Before using the Meriben Suspension, please inform your doctor of your children's or caregiver's medical conditions, sensitivities, and all drugs they are taking. Continue using Meriben Suspension for as long as your doctor has prescribed to treat your child's illness effectively. Do not use any other medications or supplements while using Meriben Suspension unless recommended by the doctor.

Meriben Suspension contains ‘Albendazole’ and ‘Ivermectin’, which belong to the class of medications called ‘antihelmintic’. It is a broad-spectrum antibiotic used in the treatment of parasitic infections. It can kill the disease-causing worms and stop the spread of infection effectively. Albendazole interrupts the absorption of glucose by the worm leading to energy depletion. Ivermectin acts by paralyzing the worms, consequently leading them to death.

Shake the bottle well before each use. Take the prescribed dose by mouth using the measuring cup/dosing syringe/dropper.

• Stomach pain
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Headache
• Dizziness
• Decrease in white blood cell count (leucopenia)
• Vision problems
• Confusion
• Weakness
• Difficulty walking

The presence of other medical problems or using other medications may affect the use of this medicine. Meriben Suspension is not recommended for those who are hypersensitive to any substance in Meriben Suspension. Meriben Suspension should not be used in anaemias other than those due to iron deficiency. So, before using Meriben Suspension, let your doctor know about all your children's medical conditions (especially if they have any blood disorders or iron overload, etc), sensitivities, and all medications, including supplements used.

Drug-Drug Interactions: Meriben Suspension may interact with sedatives (e.g. phenobarbital, butalbital), anti-anxiety drugs (e.g. clonazepam, clozapine, lorazepam), narcotics (e.g. sodium oxybate), a medication used to treat epilepsy (e.g. valproic acid), anthelmintic (e.g. praziquantel), corticosteroid (e.g. dexamethasone), antacid (e.g. cimetidine), anti-asthma (e.g. theophylline),

Drug-Food Interactions: No interactions found.

Drug-Disease Interactions: Meriben Suspension should be used with caution in patients with myelosuppression (bone marrow suppression), hepatobiliary dysfunction (liver and biliary disease), neurological disorder, meningitis (inflammation of the membranes of the brain), sleeping sickness, HIV, and kidney dysfunction.

• PHENOBARBITAL
• BUTALBITAL
• CLONAZEPAM
• CLOZAPINE
• LORAZEPAM
• SODIUM OXYBATE
• VALPROIC ACID
• PRAZIQUANTEL
• DEXAMETHASONE
• CIMETIDINE
• THEOPHYLLINE

Diet for Children to Avoid Parasitic Infections:

• Avoid Raw or Undercooked Meat: Raw or undercooked meat, fish, and shellfish are all potential sources of parasites.
• Cook Food Thoroughly: To eliminate any potential parasites, ensure that all meat and poultry are cooked to the recommended internal temperatures.
• Wash Fruits and Vegetables: Thoroughly rinse produce under running water to remove any hazardous bacteria or parasites that may be on the skin.
• Limit Your Consumption of Raw Fish: While sushi is a great treat, eating too much raw fish may raise your risk of parasite infection.
• Drink Filtered Water: If the quality of your tap water is questionable, give your children filtered water to avoid ingesting waterborne parasites.

Lifestyle Habits to Prevent Parasitic Infections:

• Practice Good Hygiene: Teach children the significance of washing their hands with soap and water after using the restroom, eating, and playing outside.
• Avoid infected Water: In locations with low water quality, avoid swimming in lakes, rivers, or ponds that may be parasitically infected.
• Regularly Clean Living Areas: Keep your home and surroundings clean to reduce the occurrence of bugs that may carry parasites.
• Wear Shoes in Public: Encourage youngsters to wear shoes when using public restrooms or changing rooms to avoid coming into contact with contaminated surfaces.

Parasitic worm infections: Parasitic worms are also called intestinal worms or helminths. They live in and feed on the hosts leading to weakness and diseases. Common types of intestinal worms are roundworms and flatworms, such as tapeworms and flukes. Worm infections could occur due to the consumption of contaminated water, food, or soil, contact with contaminated faeces, poor sanitization, or poor hygiene. Symptoms of worm infections include abdominal pain, diarrhoea, nausea, vomiting, gas, bloating, fatigue, unexplained weight loss, and dysentery (bloody stools).