Generic Name: mebendazole
Brand Name: Vermox (discontinued)
Drug Class: Anthelmintics
What is mebendazole chewable, and what is it used for?
Mebendazole is a prescription medication that is active against tapeworms, roundworms, hookworms, threadworms, pinworms, pork worms, and whipworms.
Mebendazole is a member of the benzimidazole class of antiparasitic agents, which also includes thiabendazole, albendazole, and triclabendazole.
Mebendazole, like other benzimidazoles, causes death of parasites by interfering with the function of tubulin, an important protein in parasites, and preventing glucose uptake.
The FDA approved mebendazole in June 1974.
What are the side effects of mebendazole chewable?
Mebendazole may cause:
- abdominal pain,
- diarrhea,
- dizziness,
- drowsiness,
- headache,
- vomiting,
- chills,
- itching,
- flushing,
- hiccups,
- ringing in the ears,
- low blood pressure,
- bloody urine, and
- a drop in the number of blood cells.

SLIDESHOW
Super Tips to Boost Digestive Health: Bloating, Constipation, and More See SlideshowWhat is the dosage for mebendazole chewable?
Recommendations are based on the infecting organism being treated.
- Initial dosing for some hookworm, roundworm, tapeworm, and whipworm infections is 100 mg twice daily for 3 days.
- Initial dosing for pinworm infection is 100 mg as a single dose. The dose may be repeated in 2 to 3 weeks if needed.
Which drugs interact with mebendazole chewable?
- Mebendazole should not be used with metronidazole (Flagyl) due to the increased risk of rare but serious life-threatening skin conditions known as Stevens-Johnson syndrome and toxic epidermal necrolysis.
- Carbamazepine (Tegretol, Tegretol SR, Equetro, Carbatrol), fosphenytoin (Cerebyx), ethotoin (Peganone), and phenytoin (Dilantin, Dilantin-125) may interfere with successful treatment with mebendazole by decreasing its blood levels.
- Cimetidine (Tagamet) may increase mebendazole levels and increase the risk of side effects from mebendazole.
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Pregnancy and breastfeeding
- Adverse outcomes in animal studies have been observed. Adverse outcomes in human pregnancy have not been seen, however the Centers for Disease Control recommends postponing pinworm therapy until the third trimester when possible.
- While excretion into breast milk is unlikely, caution should be used since data is not available on excretion of mebendazole into breast milk.
Summary
Mebendazole is a medication prescribed to treat pork worms, tapeworms, roundworms, hookworms, threadworms, pinworms, and whipworms. Side effects of mebendazole include abdominal pain, diarrhea, dizziness, drowsiness, headache, vomiting, chills, itching, flushing, hiccups, ringing in the ears, low blood pressure, bloody urine, and a drop in the number of blood cells. Consult your doctor if pregnant or breastfeeding.
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