THIABENDAZOLE
| THIABENDAZOLE (thye-a-ben'da-zole) Mintezol Classifications: anthelmintic; Therapeutic: anthelmintic Prototype: Mebendazole Pregnancy Category: C |
Availability
500 mg chewable tablets
Action
Has a wide spectrum of anthelmintic activity. Inhibits helminth-specific enzyme fumarate reductase.
Therapeutic Effect
Suppresses production of eggs or larvae by some parasites and may inhibit subsequent development of eggs or larvae passed in feces. Demonstrates antiinflammatory, antipyretic, and analgesic effects.
Uses
Enterobiasis (pinworm infestation), ascariasis (roundworm), strongyloidiasis (threadworm), cutaneous larva migrans (creeping eruption), and hookworm infestations caused by Ancyclostoma duodenale or Necator americanus. Used during invasive stage of trichinosis to relieve symptoms and for mixed helminthic infestations.
Contraindications
Hypersensivity to thiabendazole; pregnancy (category C); lactation.
Cautious Use
Liver or kidney dysfunction; when vomiting can be dangerous, severe dehydration or malnutrition; anemia; children weighing <15 kg.
Route & Dosage
| Enterobiasis, Ascariasis, Strongyloidiasis, Hookworm Adult: PO <70 kg, 25 mg/kg b.i.d. x 2 d; >70 kg, 1.5 g b.i.d. (max: 3 g/d) x 2 d Child (14–70 kg): PO 25 mg/kg b.i.d. x 2 d |
Administration
Oral- Give after meals. Chewable tablets must be chewed thoroughly before swallowing.
- Shake suspension well before pouring.
Adverse Effects (≥1%)
CNS: Weariness, dizziness, drowsiness, headache. CV: Hypotension, bradycardia. GI: Anorexia, nausea, vomiting, epigastric distress, jaundice, cholestasis, parenchymal liver damage, diarrhea, perianal rash. Urogenital: Malodor of urine, crystalluria, hematuria, nephrotoxicity, enuresis. Metabolic: Transient rise in AST, transient leukopenia, hypersensitivity, hyperglycemia. Skin: Pruritus.Pharmacokinetics
Absorption: Readily from GI tract. Peak: 1–2 h. Metabolism: In liver. Elimination: >90% in urine; 5% in feces.Nursing Implications
Assessment & Drug Effects
- Provide supportive treatment prior to therapy if patient is anemic, dehydrated, or malnourished.
- Adverse effects generally occur 3–4 h after administration, are mild, and last for 2–8 h. Incidence tends to be related to dose and duration of treatment.
- Discontinued immediately with S&S of hypersensitivity: Fever, facial flush, chills, conjunctival infection, skin rashes, or erythema multiforme (including Stevens-Johnson syndrome), which can be fatal.
Patient & Family Education
- Do not drive or engage in potentially hazardous activities until response to drug is known. CNS adverse effects occur frequently.
Common adverse effects in italic, life-threatening effects underlined; generic names in bold; classifications in SMALL CAPS; 
Canadian drug name; 
Prototype drug