MEBENDAZOLE

(me-ben'da-zole)

Classifications: anthelmintic;
Therapeutic: anthelmintic
Pregnancy Category: C

Availability

100 mg tablets

Action

Carbamate with unusually broad spectrum of anthelmintic activity. Inhibits formation of worm's microtubules and inhibits glucose and other nutrient uptake by susceptible helminths.

Therapeutic Effect

Effective against susceptible helminths (nematodes) by interfering with their survival.

Uses

Treatment of Trichuris trichiura (whipworm), Enterobius vermicularis (pinworm), Ascaris lumbricoides (roundworm), Ancylostoma duodenale (common hookworm), Necator americanus (American hookworm) in single or mixed infections.

Unlabeled Uses

Beef, dwarf, and pork tapeworm and threadworm infections.

Contraindications

Safety during pregnancy (category C), or in children <2 y is not established.

Cautious Use

Inflammatory bowel disease, ulcerative colitis, Crohn's disease; hepatic disease; lactation.

Route & Dosage

Enterobiasis
Adult: PO 100 mg as single dose
Child: PO 100 mg as single dose

Other Infestations
Adult: PO 100 mg b.i.d. x 3 d
Child: PO 100 mg b.i.d. x 3 d

Administration

Oral

Allow tablets to be chewed and swallowed, or crushed and mixed with food if needed.

Adverse Effects (≥1%)

GI: Transient abdominal pain, diarrhea. Body as a Whole: Dizziness, fever (possibly due to tissue necrosis in cysts).

Interactions

Drug: Carbamazepine, phenytoin can increase metabolism of mebendazole.

Pharmacokinetics

Absorption: Minimal from GI tract (2–10% of dose). Metabolism: Metabolized to inactive metabolite. Elimination: Primarily in feces. Half-Life: 3–9 h.

Nursing Implications

Assessment & Drug Effects

Initiate second course of treatment if cure does not occur within 3 wk.
Examine and treat all family members simultaneously because pinworms are readily transmitted from person to person.

Patient & Family Education

Practice thorough hand washing after touching any potentially contaminated item.
Change underclothing, bedclothes, towels, and facecloths daily; bathe frequently, preferably by showering. Infected person should sleep alone.

Common adverse effects in italic, life-threatening effects underlined; generic names in bold; classifications in SMALL CAPS; Canadian drug name; Prototype drug

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