(me BEN da zole)
Intestinal nematode infection: Treatment of Ancylostoma duodenale or Necator americanus (hookworms), Ascaris lumbricoides (roundworms), Enterobius vermicularis (pinworms), and Trichuris trichiura (whipworms) in single or mixed infections.
Canadian labeling: Additional uses (not in US labeling): Treatment of Strongyloides stercoralis (roundworms) and Taenia solium (tapeworms).
Hypersensitivity to mebendazole or any component of the formulation
Ancylostoma duodenale or Necator americanus (hookworm): Oral: 100 mg twice daily for 3 days; repeat in 3 weeks if not cured with initial treatment
Ascariasis (roundworm): Oral: 100 mg twice daily for 3 days; repeat in 3 weeks if not cured with initial treatment.
Enterobiasis (pinworm): Oral: 100 mg as a single dose.
US labeling: Repeat in 3 weeks if not cured with initial treatment.
Canadian labeling: Repeat in 2 and 4 weeks.
Strongyloidiasis (roundworm):Canadian labeling (not in US labeling): Oral: 100 mg twice daily for 3 days; repeat in 3 weeks if not cured with initial treatment.
Trichuriasis (whipworm): Oral: 100 mg twice daily for 3 days; repeat in 3 weeks if not cured with initial treatment.
Taeniasis (tapeworm): Canadian labeling (not in US labeling): Oral: 100 mg twice daily for 3 days; repeat in 3 weeks if not cured with initial treatment.
Off-label dosing:
Ancylostoma duodenale (hookworm), Ascaris lumbricoides (roundworm), Necator americanus (hookworm), Trichuris trichiura (whipworm): Oral: 500 mg as a single dose (Med Lett 2007)
Off-label uses:
Ancylostoma caninum (eosinophilic enterocolitis): Oral: 100 mg twice daily for 3 days (Med Lett 2007)
Capillaria philippinensis (capillariasis): Oral: 200 mg twice daily for 20 days (Med Lett 2007)
Giardia duodenalis (giardiasis): Oral: 200 mg 3 times daily for 5 days (Canete 2006; Chandy 2009)
Mansonella perstans (filariasis): Oral: 100 mg twice daily for 30 days (Med Lett 2007)
Visceral larva migrans (toxocariasis): Oral: 100 to 200 mg twice daily for 5 days (Med Lett 2007)
Refer to adult dosing.
Intestinal nematode infection: Children ≥2 years and Adolescents: Refer to adult dosing.
There are no dosage adjustments provided in the manufacturers labeling.
There are no dosage adjustments provided in the manufacturers labeling; however, undergoes extensive hepatic metabolism; use with caution as systemic exposure may be increased.
Oral: Administer with or without food. Tablets may be chewed, swallowed whole, or crushed and mixed with food.
Store at 20 ‚ °C to 25 ‚ °C (68 ‚ °F to 77 ‚ °F). Canadian labeling recommends protecting tablets from light.
Excipient information presented when available (limited, particularly for generics); consult specific product labeling.
Tablet Chewable, Oral:
Emverm: 100 mg [contains fd&c yellow #6 (sunset yellow), saccharin sodium]
Aminoquinolines (Antimalarial): May decrease the serum concentration of Anthelmintics. Monitor therapy
CarBAMazepine: May decrease the serum concentration of Mebendazole. Monitor therapy
Cimetidine: May increase the serum concentration of Mebendazole. Monitor therapy
Fosphenytoin: May decrease the serum concentration of Mebendazole. Monitor therapy
MetroNIDAZOLE (Systemic): Mebendazole may enhance the adverse/toxic effect of MetroNIDAZOLE (Systemic). Particularly the risk for Stevens-Johnson syndrome or toxic epidermal necrolysis may be increased. Avoid combination
Phenytoin: May decrease the serum concentration of Mebendazole. Monitor therapy
Periodic hematologic, hepatic, and renal function; check for helminth ova in feces within 3-4 weeks following the initial therapy
Frequency not defined. Adverse reactions listed below are reflective of both the US and Canadian product information.
Central nervous system: Convulsions, dizziness, drowsiness, headache, seizure
Dermatologic: Alopecia, pruritus, skin rash, Stevens-Johnson syndrome, toxic epidermal necrolysis, urticaria
Gastrointestinal: Abdominal pain, diarrhea, vomiting
Genitourinary: Casts in urine, hematuria
Hematologic & oncologic: Agranulocytosis, decreased hemoglobin, eosinophilia, leukopenia, neutropenia
Hepatic: Hepatitis, increased gamma-glutamyl transferase, increased serum alanine aminotransferase, increased serum alkaline phosphatase, increased serum aspartate aminotransferase
Hypersensitivity: Angioedema, hypersensitivity reaction (including anaphylactic, anaphylactoid)
Renal: Glomerulonephritis, increased blood urea nitrogen
Plasma levels may be increased.
Concerns related to adverse effects:
- Bone marrow suppression: Neutropenia and agranulocytosis have been reported rarely with high doses and prolonged use.
Disease-related concerns:
- Hepatic impairment: Use with caution; systemic exposure may be increased with hepatic impairment.
- Hydatid disease: Not effective for hydatid disease.
Concurrent drug therapy issues:
- Drug-drug interactions: Potentially significant interactions may exist, requiring dose or frequency adjustment, additional monitoring, and/or selection of alternative therapy. Consult drug interactions database for more detailed information.
Special populations:
- Pediatric: Experience with use in children <2 years of age is limited; convulsions in infants <1 year have been reported (rare) postmarketing in Canadian labeling.
C
Adverse events have been observed in animal reproduction studies. Based on available data, adverse pregnancy outcomes have not been observed following use in pregnancy (Diav-Citrin 2003; Gyorkos 2006). Treatment of pinworm in pregnancy may be considered; however, the CDC suggests postponing therapy until the third trimester when possible (CDC 2016).
Inhibits the formation of helminth microtubules; selectively and irreversibly blocks glucose uptake and other nutrients in susceptible adult intestine-dwelling helminths
Oral: 2% to 10%
Vd: 1 to 2 L/kg; to liver, fat, muscle, plasma, and hepatic cysts
Extensively hepatic
Primarily feces (as unchanged drug and primary metabolite); urine (5% to 10%)
Serum: Variable (0.5 to 7 hours)
2.8 to 9 hours
90% to 95%
- Discuss specific use of drug and side effects with patient as it relates to treatment. (HCAHPS: During this hospital stay, were you given any medicine that you had not taken before? Before giving you any new medicine, how often did hospital staff tell you what the medicine was for? How often did hospital staff describe possible side effects in a way you could understand?)
- Patient may experience abdominal pain or diarrhea (HCAHPS).
- Educate patient about signs of a significant reaction (eg, wheezing; chest tightness; fever; itching; bad cough; blue skin color; seizures; or swelling of face, lips, tongue, or throat). Note: This is not a comprehensive list of all side effects. Patient should consult prescriber for additional questions.
Intended Use and Disclaimer: Should not be printed and given to patients. This information is intended to serve as a concise initial reference for healthcare professionals to use when discussing medications with a patient. You must ultimately rely on your own discretion, experience, and judgment in diagnosing, treating, and advising patients.