Mebendazole
About Mebendazole
Mebendazole is used to treat parasite worm infections like pinworm, whipworm, roundworm, hookworm, and other parasites. Parasitic worms are also called intestinal worms or helminths. They live in and feed on their hosts, leading to weakness and disease. Common types of intestinal worms are roundworms and flatworms, such as tapeworms and flukes.
Mebendazole contains ‘Mebendazole’, which works by inhibiting tubulin polymerization. This causes metabolic disruption and energy depletion in the parasite, which leads to its immobilization. Thereby, Mebendazole kills the susceptible helminth and treats the infection.
Take Mebendazole as prescribed. You are advised to take Mebendazole for as long as your doctor has prescribed it for you, depending on your medical condition. You may experience certain common side effects such as abdominal pain, diarrhoea, not being hungry, gas, and upset stomach. Most of these side effects do not require medical attention and will resolve gradually over time. However, you are advised to talk to your doctor if you experience these side effects persistently.
Mebendazole may increase the chances of getting an infection; maintain proper hygiene and try to stay away from people with infections, flu, or colds. Consult your doctor if you notice unusual bleeding or bruising, as you may bleed or bruise easily while taking Mebendazole. Do not take Mebendazole if you have any allergies, liver problems, or intestinal problems. Inform your doctor before taking Mebendazole if you are pregnant or planning for pregnancy, as it may cause fetal harm. If you are a breastfeeding mother, immediately contact your doctor because Mebendazole passes into breast milk.
Uses of Mebendazole
• Treatment of Parasitic Infections: Worm infestations and other parasitic infections are frequently treated with the tablet.
• Prevention of Specific Infections: It can be applied to individuals who are susceptible to contracting specific parasitic infections as a preventive measure.
• Symptom Relief: The tablet may help alleviate diarrhoea, nausea, and abdominal pain associated with parasite infections.
• Supporting Immune Function: The tablet's active ingredients have the potential to strengthen the immune system, enhancing its ability to fight infections.
Medicinal Benefits
Mebendazole belongs to a group of anthelmintic medicines used to treat worm infections such as pinworm, whipworm, roundworm, hookworm, and other parasites. Mebendazole contains ‘Mebendazole’, which works by inhibiting tubulin polymerization. This causes metabolic disruption and energy depletion in the parasite, leading to its immobilisation. Thereby, Mebendazole kills the susceptible helminth and treats the infection.
Directions for Use
- Take Mebendazole with or without food or as advised by a doctor.
- Recommended to take the medicine twice a day, in the morning and evening or as advised by your doctor.
- Swallow the medicine as a whole with a glass of water.
- Do not crush, break, or chew it.
Storage
Side Effects of Mebendazole
- Abdominal pain
- Diarrhoea
- Not hungry
- Gas
- Upset stomach
Drug Warnings
Mebendazole might increase the chances of getting an infection; maintain proper hygiene, and try to stay away from people with infections, flu, or colds. Consult your doctor if you notice unusual bleeding or bruising, as you may bleed or bruise easily while taking Mebendazole. Do not take Mebendazole if you have any allergies, liver problems, and intestinal problems. Inform your doctor before taking Mebendazole if you are pregnant or planning for pregnancy, as it may cause fetal harm. If you are a breastfeeding mother, immediately contact your doctor because Mebendazole passes into breast milk. Mebendazole can be given to children above 2 years if prescribed by the doctor.
Drug Interactions
Drug-Drug Interactions: Mebendazole may have interaction with antacid (cimetidine), a drug used to treat epilepsy (carbamazepine), antibiotics (metronidazole), and antivirals (ritonavir).
Drug-Food Interactions: No interactions found/established.
Drug-Disease Interactions: Mebendazole may have interactions with liver disease.
Drug-Drug Interactions Checker List:
Safety Advice
Alcohol
unsafePlease do not drink alcohol with this Mebendazole because it may produce drowsiness as a side effect.
Pregnancy
unsafeMebendazole belongs to pregnancy category C. Do not take Mebendazole if you are pregnant or planning for pregnancy, as it may cause fetal harm. Please consult your doctor if you have any concerns regarding this.
Breast Feeding
unsafeMebendazole may pass into breast milk, which may cause harm to the baby. Please consult your doctor if you have any concerns regarding this.
Driving
cautionIf you experience drowsiness, hypotension, dizziness, or a headache as side effects when using Mebendazole, then it may not be safe to drive or operate heavy machinery.
Liver
unsafeDose adjustment may be needed in patients with liver impairment. Please consult your doctor if you have a liver impairment or any concerns regarding this.
Kidney
cautionDose adjustment may be needed in patients with kidney impairment. Please consult your doctor if you have kidney impairment or any concerns regarding this.
Children
safe if prescribedMebendazole can be given to children above 2 years if prescribed by the doctor.
Habit Forming
Diet & Lifestyle Advise
- Regularly wash your hands with soap and water, especially after using the toilet and while eating.
- Avoid eating raw fish and meat.
- Thoroughly cook meat before eating.
- Wash all fruits and vegetables properly before consuming them.
- Wash or reheat food that has been around for a long time.
- Avoid contact with soil that may be contaminated with faeces.
- Avoid foods that have been left open in the market, as they may be contaminated.
- Drink boiled and purified water.
Special Advise
- Regular monitoring of blood cell count and liver function is advised during treatment with Mebendazole.
- Mebendazole may increase the chances of getting an infection; maintain proper hygiene and try to avoid contact with people who have infections, the flu, or colds.
- Consult your doctor if you notice unusual bleeding or bruising, as you may bleed or bruise easily while taking Mebendazole.
- Mebendazole will not treat a viral infection such as the flu or a common cold.
- Mebendazole can increase the risk of bleeding and infection; therefore, frequent medical tests are necessary.
- While taking Mebendazole, close monitoring of liver function is required every 2 weeks.
Patients Concern
Disease/Condition Glossary
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 can occur due to the consumption of contaminated water, food, or soil, contact with contaminated faeces, poor sanitation, and inadequate hygiene. Symptoms of worm infections include abdominal pain, diarrhoea, nausea, vomiting, gas, bloating, fatigue, unexplained weight loss, and dysentery (characterised by bloody stools).
FAQs
Mebendazole is used to treat parasite worm infections like pinworm, whipworm, roundworm, hookworm, and other parasites.
Mebendazole causes metabolic disruption and energy depletion in the parasite, leading to its immobilisation. Thereby, Mebendazole kills the susceptible helminth and treats the infection.
Regular monitoring of blood count at the beginning of each cycle of therapy and for every 2 weeks while taking Mebendazole is advised for all patients. Treatment with Mebendazole should be discontinued if a significant decrease in blood cell count is observed.
Mebendazole might increase the chances of getting an infection. Maintain proper hygiene and try to avoid contact with people who have infections, the flu, or colds.
Do not discontinue Mebendazole without consulting your doctor. To treat your condition effectually, continue taking Mebendazole for as long as prescribed. Do not hesitate to consult your doctor if you experience any difficulties while taking Mebendazole.
Take the missed dose of Mebendazole as soon as possible. However, if it is time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and return to your regular dosing schedule. Do not double the dose.
Signs of a worm infection in children include symptoms such as abdominal pain, diarrhoea, unexplained weight loss, itching around the anus, and visible worms in the stools. If you notice any of these signs in your child, please consult your doctor for diagnosis and treatment.
Your child can become infected with intestinal worms by ingesting contaminated food or water, coming into contact with soil or surfaces contaminated with worm eggs, or through poor hygiene practices, such as not washing hands after using the toilet.
Deworming is the process of eliminating intestinal worms or parasites from the body, typically using antiparasitic medications such as Mebendazole.
Yes, other medications can generally be taken at the same time as Mebendazole if advised by your doctor. However, it is important to consult your doctor to avoid potential interactions. Please inform your doctor if you are taking antacids (such as cimetidine), a drug used to treat epilepsy (such as carbamazepine), antibiotics (such as metronidazole), or antivirals (such as ritonavir).
Give Mebendazole exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Mebendazole can be administered once or twice daily, as advised by the doctor, depending on the type of worm infection.
You should not take Mebendazole if you are allergic to any of its ingredients. Do not take Mebendazole if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or breastfeeding, as it may harm your baby. Also, avoid taking Mebendazole if you have liver or intestinal problems. Please consult your doctor if you have any concerns while using Mebendazole.
Mebendazole is generally considered safe for children over 2 years old when used as directed by your doctor. However, Mebendazole should not be used in children under 1 year old for the treatment of gastrointestinal infestations, as it may increase the risk of convulsions.
Mebendazole usually starts working immediately after ingestion. However, it may take several days to completely kill all the worms. Be sure to complete the full course of treatment, as stopping the medication early could result in recurring infections.
Mebendazole is generally used to treat existing parasitic worm infections rather than preventing them. Please consult your doctor about alternative methods to prevent reinfection and to prevent the spread of the disease to others.
The common side effects of Mebendazole include abdominal pain, diarrhoea, loss of appetite, gas, and an upset stomach. If you experience these side effects persistently, please inform your doctor.
Yes, worm infections are contagious. Household members can be infected by touching things/areas that may be contaminated, like bedding, towels, or toys. Practicing good hygiene, such as washing hands often and cleaning regularly, can help prevent the infection from spreading.
Yes, Mebendazole can be taken with food. However, it is important to wash your hands and fingernails thoroughly before eating to prevent the spread or recurrence of infection. Always follow the instructions provided by your doctor.
