Health Centres - Vermox
How does it work?
Vermox tablets and suspension contain the active ingredient mebendazole, which is a type of medicine called an anthelmintic. It is used to treat certain types of worm infections of the gut.
Mebendazole works by preventing worms from being able to absorb sugars that are essential for their survival. This depletes the energy stores of the worms, leading to their eventual death within a few days. The dead worms are then excreted from the gut in the stools.
Mebendazole is used mainly in the treatment of threadworm, however is also used to treat infections of roundworm, whipworm and hookworm.
A single dose is effective for treating threadworm infections, but a second dose may be needed after two weeks if the infection comes back. It is recommended that the whole family are treated.
For treating roundworm, hookworm or whipworm infections, one dose is needed twice a day for three days.
What is it used for?
-
Threadworm (pinworm) infections
- Roundworm infections (ascariasis)
- Hookworm infections
- Whipworm infections (trichuriasis).
Warning!
- Vermox suspension should be shaken well before giving a dose.
- If symptoms do not disappear within a few days after taking the medicine, consult your doctor.
Not to be used in
- Children under 2 years of age
-
Pregnancy.
This medicine should not be used if you are allergic to one or any of its ingredients. Please inform your doctor or pharmacist if you have previously experienced such an allergy.
Pregnancy and Breastfeeding
Certain medicines should not be used during pregnancy or breastfeeding. However, other medicines may be safely used in pregnancy or breastfeeding providing the benefits to the mother outweigh the risks to the unborn baby. Always inform your doctor if you are pregnant or planning a pregnancy, before using any medicine.
- The safety of this medicine for use during pregnancy has not been established. The manufacturer states that it should not be taken by women who are or think they could be pregnant. Seek further medical advice from your doctor.
- This medicine passes into breast milk, but only in amounts that appear to be insignificant. However, the manufacturer recommends that breastfeeding should be avoided after treatment. Seek medical advice from your doctor before taking this medicine if you are breastfeeding.
Side effects
Medicines and their possible side effects can affect individual people in different ways. The following are some of the side effects that are known to be associated with this medicine. Because a side effect is stated here, it does not mean that all people using this medicine will experience that or any side effect.
- Diarrhoea
- Abdominal pain
- Rash
- Allergic reactions such as severe swelling of lips, face or tongue (angioedema)
The side effects listed above may not include all of the side effects reported by the drug's manufacturer.
How can this medicine affect other medicines?
Cimetidine may decrease the breakdown of mebendazole by the liver and so increase the amount of mebendazole in the blood.
The manufacturer recommends that the antibiotic metronidazole should not be used in combination with mebendazole.
You should tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are already taking any medicines, including those bought without a prescription and herbal medicines, before you take this medicine. Similarly, check with your doctor or pharmacist before taking any new medicines in combination with this one, to ensure that the combination is safe.
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