What is Mebendazole?
- Mebendazole is a prescribed worm medication for Pinworm, Roundworm, Whipworm, and Hookworm. It belongs to the Anthelmintics class of drugs.
- It is an antiparasitic agent that belongs to the benzimidazole class, which also includes thiabendazole, albendazole, and triclabendazole.
Mebendazole Uses
Mebendazole is a drug used to treat a variety of worm infections, including roundworm and whipworm infections.
Pinworm, whipworm, roundworm, and hookworm infections are treated with Emverm. It belongs to the anthelmintic family of drugs. It operates by obliterating the worms.
Side Effects
Some of the common side effects of Mebendazole are:
- Diarrhea
- Stomach pain
- Discomfort
- Swelling
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Loss of appetite
Some of the serious side effects of Mebendazole are:
- Seizures
- Rash
- Hives
- Shortness of breath
- Difficulty while breathing
- Swallowing
- Fever
- Sore throat
- Chills
Mebendazole can cause some serious side effects and can lead to some serious health problems. Talk with your doctor if you are having any serious problems.
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Get A Second OpinionPrecautions
- Before taking Mebendazole, talk with your doctor about whether you are allergic to it or if you are taking any other medications related to it.
- The medication may contain some inactive ingredients, which can cause some serious allergic reactions or some other serious problems.
- Before taking the medications, talk with your doctor if you have any medical history such as Low blood count, Liver disease, intestinal problems and kidney disease.
- Talk to your doctor if you are taking any prescription or non-prescription medications, vitamins, nutritional supplements, or other herbal products.
How to use Mebendazole?
- Mebendazole is available as a chewable tablet. To treat whipworm, roundworm, and hookworm, it is normally taken twice a day, in the morning and evening, for three days.
- When treating pinworm, the drug is typically administered as a single (one-time) dose. If you are unable to chew the tablet, put it on a spoon and use a dosing syringe to dispense a small amount of water (2 to 3 mL) onto the tablet.
- The tablet will absorb the water and transform into a soft mass that should be swallowed after 2 minutes.
- For certain hookworm, roundworm, tapeworm, and whipworm infections, the first dose is 100 mg twice daily for three days.
- Pinworm infection is treated with a single dose of 100 mg. If necessary, the dose can be repeated in 2 to 3 weeks.
Missed Dose
If you take mebendazole twice a day and forget to take one dose, take it as soon as you remember.
If you recall 4 hours after your dose was meant to be taken, skip the missed dose and proceed with your daily schedule. To make up for a missed dose, do not take a double dose.
Overdose
It's unlikely that taking an extra dose of mebendazole can harm you. You can, however, experience side effects such as:
- Stomach cramps
- Being sick
- Nausea & vomiting
- Diarrhoea.
Overdose of a drug can be accidental. If you have taken more than the prescribed tablets, there is a chance of getting a harmful effect on your body's functions.
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Book an AppointmentWarnings for Some Serious Health Conditions
Pregnancy & Breastfeeding
Negative effects have been observed in animal experiments. Although there have been no reported adverse effects in human pregnancy, it is suggested to delay pinworm treatment until the third trimester if possible.
The medication can pass into the breast milk and can cause some serious side effects to the infants. So, if you are breastfeeding, talk to your doctor immediately.
Interactions
- Drug interactions can cause mebendazole to function differently, or it can put you at risk for severe adverse effects.
- Keep a record of all your medications (including prescription and nonprescription medications, as well as herbal products) and share it with your doctor and pharmacist.
- Do not begin, stop, or adjust the dosage of any medications without first consulting your doctor. The product that can interact with this drug is metronidazole.
Storage
- Direct contact with heat, air, and light may damage your medicines, and exposure to medicine may cause some harmful effects.
- The medicine must be kept in a safe place and out of children's reach.
- Mainly, the drug should be kept at room temperature between 68ºF and 77ºF (20ºC and 25ºC).
Mebendazole vs Ivermectin:
| Mebendazole | Ivermectin |
|---|---|
| Mebendazole is a prescribed worm medication for Pinworm, Roundworm, Whipworm, and Hookworm. | Ivermectin is an anti-parasite medication. It is used for treating infections in the body that are caused by certain parasites. |
| Mebendazole is a drug that is used to treat a variety of worm infections. Roundworm and whipworm infections are treated with this medication. | Ivermectin is used for intestinal infection which is caused by Strongyloides stercoralis. It is also used for infections that are caused by non-adult forms of Onchocerca Volvulus. |
Some of the common side effects of Mebendazole are:
|
Most common side effects of Ivermectin are:
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