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BackMebendazole Data - Uses, Dosage, Drug class, Brand name, Warnings, etc
| Pharmacology | Mebendazole, a benzimidazole anthelmintic, binds to helminth tubulin, inhibiting glucose uptake in the parasite, leading to its immobilization and death. It has no effect on host blood glucose concentrations and is active against many intestinal roundworms. |
|---|---|
| Administration and Adult Dosage |
- PO for pinworms: 100 mg once, repeat in 2 weeks - PO for ascariasis or hookworms: 100 mg twice daily for 3 days or 500 mg once - PO for capillariasis: 200 mg twice daily for 20 days - PO for eosinophilic enterocolitis: 100 mg twice daily for 3 days - PO for roundworms or whipworms: 100 mg twice daily for 3 days |
| Special Populations - Pediatric Dosage |
- <2 yr: Safety and efficacy not established - ≥2 yr: Same as adult dosage for pinworms, ascariasis, capillariasis, roundworms, whipworms, eosinophilic enterocolitis, or hookworms |
| Special Populations - Geriatric Dosage | Same as adult dosage. |
| Dosage Forms | - Chewable Tablet: 100 mg |
| Patient Instructions |
- Chew tablets before swallowing - Take as directed; repeat dose for pinworms in 2 weeks - Report abdominal pain, diarrhea, or unusual symptoms to your physician |
| Missed Doses | - Take missed dose as soon as remembered; if near next dose, take only that dose; do not double dose |
| Pharmacokinetics - Fate |
- Absorption: Poorly absorbed orally - Excretion: Almost all eliminated unchanged in feces; up to 10% as decarboxylated metabolite in urine within 48 hr |
| Adverse Reactions & Side Effects |
Occasional: - Abdominal pain, diarrhea (with massive infestation and worm expulsion) - Migration of roundworms through mouth/nose Rare: - Leukopenia, agranulocytosis, hypospermia |
| Precautions & Warnings | - Use cautiously in pregnancy |
| Drug Interactions | - Carbamazepine and hydantoins may reduce mebendazole serum levels |
| Parameters to Monitor | - For whipworm: Stool sample for egg count 3 weeks post-treatment to detect persistent infestation (~30% rate), requiring retreatment |
| Class and Drug Brand Name |
- Class: Benzimidazole Anthelmintics - Brand Names: Vermox, Various |
| Notes |
- Drug of choice for whipworm (~70% cure rate with single treatment) - 90–100% cure rate for roundworms, hookworms, pinworms - Particularly useful for mixed infestations |
References
Hand of Clinical Drug Data