Mebendazole

Indications

Mebendazole is used for: Enterobiasis, Hookworm infections, Filariasis, Toxocariasis, Ascarisis, Trichuriasis, Trichostrongyliasis, Trichinellosis, Dracunculiasis

Adult Dose

Oral Adults: Enterobiasis : A single tablet( 100 mg) or 1 teaspoonful (5 ml) of the suspension. If cure is not achieved 3 wk after treatment, a second course of treatment is advised Ascariasis, Ancylostomiasis, Trichuriasis : 100 mg bid for 3 consecutive days or 500 mg as single dose or 1 teaspoonful (5 ml) bid for 3 consecutive days. If cure is not achieved 3 wk after treatment, a second course of treatment is advised Taeniasis & strongyloidiasis : 100 mg bid for 3 consecutive days If cure is not achieved 3 wk after treatment, a second course of treatment is advised

Child Dose

Oral Enterobiasis Child: >2 A single tablet( 100 mg) or 1 teaspoonful (5 ml) of the suspension. If cure is not achieved 3 wk after treatment, a second course of treatment is advised Ascariasis, Ancylostomiasis, Trichuriasis : Child: >1 yr 100 mg bid for 3 consecutive days or 500 mg as single dose or 1 teaspoonful (5 ml) bid for 3 consecutive days. If cure is not achieved 3 wk after treatment, a second course of treatment is advised Taeniasis & strongyloidiasis : 100 mg bid for 3 consecutive days If cure is not achieved 3 wk after treatment, a second course of treatment is advised

Renal Dose

Administration

May be taken with or without food. May be swallowed whole, chewed, or crushed and mixed with food

Contra Indications

Hypersensitivity. Infants and children <2 yr.

Precautions

Hepatic impairment. Childn. Pregnancy and lactation. Monitoring Parameters Periodic assessment of haematologic, hepatic, and renal function; check for helminth ova in faeces w/in 3-4 wk following the initial therapy. Lactation: Excretion in breast milk unknown; use caution

Pregnancy-Lactation

Pregnancy category: C Lactation: Excretion in breast milk unknown; use caution

Interactions

Decreased plasma concentrations w/ carbamazepine and phenytoin. Increased plasma concentrations w/ cimetidine.

Side Effects

Side effects of Mebendazole : Transient diarrhoea, abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, headache, tinnitus, numbness, fever, alopecia, rash, pruritus, urticaria, angioedema, flushing, hiccups, cough, weakness, drowsiness, chills, hypotension, seizures, transient abnormalities in LFT (e.g. increased serum concentrations of aminotransferases, glutamyltransferase alkaline phosphatase, and/or bilirubin), hepatitis, increased BUN, decreased Hb concentration and/or hematocrit, leucopenia, eosinophilia, haematuria, cylindruria, migration of roundworms through the mouth and nose. Potentially Fatal: Myelosuppression, manifested as neutropenia (including agranulocytosis) and/or thrombocytopenia.

Mode of Action

Mebendazole inhibits formation of helminth microtubules. It selectively and irreversibly blocks the uptake of glucose and other nutrients in susceptible helminths, resulting in endogenous depletion of glycogen stores in the helminth.