Mebendazole

Class

Indications

Administration/Absorption

  • Oral

  • Poorly absorbed (approximately 5 to 10%) from gastrointestinal tract

    • Fatty food increases absorption

Dosage

  • Pinworms: 100 mg once

  • Whipworm, common roundworm and hookworm: 100 mg BD for 3 days

Distribution

  • 90-95% protein bound

Mechanism

  • Selectively inhibits the synthesis of microtubules in parasitic worms

    • => destroys extant cytoplasmic microtubes in their intestinal cells

  • Thereby blocks the uptake of glucose and other nutrients

  • Results in the gradual immobilization and eventual death of the helminths

Excretion

  • Primarily hepatic metabolism

  • Half life 2.5 to 5.5 hours

Side effects

  • Transient abdominal pain, diarrhea, slight headache, fever, dizziness, exanthema, urticaria and angioedema

Interactions

Contraindications

  • Pregnancy