Mebendazole

Mebendazole is a benzimidazole and a congener of thiabendazole. It is a broad-spectrum anthelmintic without the toxicity of its predecessor. The immobilizing and destructive action of the drug on worms is rather slow as it takes 2to 3 days to develop.

Indication.

• The drug produces a 100% cure rate/reduction in egg count in; √roundworm and hookworm.

√ Enterobius and Trichuris

• H. nana is relatively insensitive to the drug.
• The prolonged treatment causes the regression of hydatid cysts in the liver.
• Treatment of Guinea worms.

Mechanism of action.

• Inhibition of tubulin polymerization results in loss of cytoplasmic microtubules.
• It also blocks glucose uptake in the parasite and depletes its glycogen stores.
• It also impedes the hatching of nematode eggs and their larvae.

Adverse effects

• Diarrhoea and nausea
• Transient abdominal pain.
• Headache and dizziness
• Expulsion of Ascaris from mouth or nose has occurred. It could be due to the parasite’s starvation and slow death.
• Allergic reactions, granulocytopenia and loss of hair on high doses of the drug.

Contraindication

• Children under two years
• Pregnancy.

Dosage.

• MEBEX, WORMING 100 mg chewable tablet and 100 mg/5 ml suspension.
• MEBAZOLE 100 mg tablet.