Mebendazole
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| Clinical data | |
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| Trade names | Vermox |
| AHFS/Drugs.com | Monograph |
| MedlinePlus | a682315 |
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| Routes of administration |
By mouth |
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| Pharmacokinetic data | |
| Bioavailability | 2–10% |
| Protein binding | 95% |
| Metabolism | Extensive liver |
| Biological half-life | 3–6 hours |
| Excretion | Faeces, urine (5–10%) |
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| ChEMBL | |
| ECHA InfoCard | 100.046.017 |
| Chemical and physical data | |
| Formula | C16H13N3O3 |
| Molar mass | 295.293 g/mol |
| 3D model (Jmol) | |
| Melting point | 288.5 °C (551.3 °F) |
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Mebendazole (MBZ) is a medication used to treat a number of parasitic worm infestations. This includes ascariasis, pinworm disease, hookworm infections, guinea worm infections, hydatid disease, and giardia, among others. It is taken by mouth.
Mebendazole is usually well tolerated. Common side effects include headache, vomiting, and ringing in the ears. If used at large doses it may cause bone marrow suppression. It is unclear if it is safe in pregnancy. Mebendazole is a broad-spectrum antihelminthic agent of the benzimidazole type.
Mebendazole came into use in 1971, after it was developed in Belgium. It is on the World Health Organization's List of Essential Medicines, the most effective and safe medicines needed in a health system. Mebendazole is available as a generic medication. The wholesale cost in the developing world is between 0.004 and 0.04 USD per dose. In the United States a single dose is about 884.00 USD as of 2016.
Mebendazole is a highly effective, broad-spectrum antihelmintic indicated for the treatment of nematode infestations, including roundworm, hookworm, whipworm, threadworm, pinworm, and the intestinal form of trichinosis prior to its spread into the tissues beyond the digestive tract. Other drugs are used to treat worm infections outside the digestive tract, as mebendazole is poorly absorbed into the bloodstream. Mebendazole is used alone in those with mild to moderate infestations. It kills parasites relatively slowly, and in those with very heavy infestations, it can cause some parasites to migrate out of the digestive system, leading to appendicitis, bile duct problems, or intestinal perforation. To avoid this, heavily infested patients may be treated with piperazine, either before or instead of mebendazole. Piperazine paralyses the parasites, causing them to pass in the feces. It is also used rarely in the treatment of hydatid disease. Evidence for effectiveness for this disease, however, is poor.
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Wikipedia