Mebendazole is an anthelmintic (an-thel-MIN-tik) or anti-worm medication. It prevents newly hatched insect larvae (worms) from growing or multiplying in your body.

Mebendazole is used to treat infections caused by worms such as whipworm, pinworm, roundworm, and hookworm. It is also used to treat infections caused by more than one of these worms at the same time.

Mebendazole may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

Follow all directions on your medicine label and package. Tell each of your healthcare providers about all your medical conditions, allergies, and all medicines you use.

Mebendazole comes as a chewable tablet. When mebendazole (Emverm) is used to treat whipworm, roundworm, and hookworm it is usually taken twice a day, in the morning and evening, for 3 days. When mebendazole (Emverm) is used to treat pinworm, it is usually taken as a single (one-time) dose. Mebendazole (Vermox) is usually taken as a single (one-time) dose. Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully, and ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any part you do not understand. Take mebendazole exactly as directed. Do not take more or less of it or take it more often than prescribed by your doctor.

If you are taking mebendazole (Emverm) chewable tablets, you may chew the tablets, swallow them whole, or crush and mix them with food.

You should thoroughly chew mebendazole (Vermox) chewable tablets; do not swallow the tablet whole. However, if you cannot chew the tablet, you may place the tablet on a spoon and add a small amount of water (2 to 3 mL) onto the tablet using a dosing syringe. After 2 minutes, the tablet will absorb the water and become a soft mass that should be swallowed.

If your condition does not improve or gets worse, call your doctor.

Follow all directions on your prescription label. Do not take this medicine in larger or smaller amounts or for longer than recommended.

A mebendazole tablet may be swallowed, chewed, or crushed and mixed with food.

Use this medicine for the full prescribed length of time. Your symptoms may improve before the infection is completely cleared. Skipping doses may also increase your risk of further infection that is resistant to antibiotics. Mebendazole will not treat a viral infection such as the flu or a common cold.

You may need to take this medicine for 1 to 3 days, depending on the condition you are treating. However, it could take as long as 3 weeks before the infection is completely cleared.

Wash your hands and fingernails often, especially before you eat or after using the bathroom.

If the infection does not clear up within 3 weeks, you may need a second treatment.

To prevent reinfection, follow your doctor's instructions about disinfecting your home and carefully washing all clothing, linens, and towels. Your family members or other people in your household may also need to be treated with mebendazole or other medicines. Pinworm infections can easily spread from one person to another.

You cannot cure a worm infection by fasting (starving), using laxatives, or forcing yourself to vomit. For best results, take this medicine as directed.

Store at room temperature away from moisture and heat.

You should not use mebendazole if you are allergic to it, or if you also take metronidazole (Flagyl).

Before you use mebendazole, tell your doctor about all your medical conditions or allergies.

It is not known whether mebendazole will harm an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant.

Mebendazole can pass into breast milk and may harm a nursing baby. You should not breast-feed while using this medicine.

Mebendazole is not approved for use by anyone younger than 2 years old.

Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. Skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next scheduled dose. Do not take extra medicine to make up the missed dose.

Call your doctor if you miss more than one dose of mebendazole.

Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222.

Overdose symptoms may include upper stomach pain, loss of appetite, dark urine, or jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes).

Keep this medication in the container it came in, tightly closed, and out of reach of children. Store it at room temperature and away from excess heat and moisture (not in the bathroom).

Unneeded medications should be disposed of in special ways to ensure that pets, children, and other people cannot consume them. However, you should not flush this medication down the toilet. Instead, the best way to dispose of your medication is through a medicine take-back program. Talk to your pharmacist or contact your local garbage/recycling department to learn about take-back programs in your community. See the FDA's Safe Disposal of Medicines website (http://goo.gl/c4Rm4p) for more information if you do not have access to a take-back program.

It is important to keep all medication out of sight and reach of children as many containers (such as weekly pill minders and those for eye drops, creams, patches, and inhalers) are not child-resistant and young children can open them easily. To protect young children from poisoning, always lock safety caps and immediately place the medication in a safe location – one that is up and away and out of their sight and reach. http://www.upandaway.org

Follow your doctor's instructions about any restrictions on food, beverages, or activity.

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficult breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Mebendazole may cause serious side effects. Call your doctor at once if you have:

• signs of bone marrow suppression--sudden weakness or ill feeling, fever, chills, sore throat, mouth sores, red or swollen gums, trouble swallowing, easy bruising or bleeding; or

• severe skin reaction--swelling in your face or tongue; sores around your eyes, nose, mouth, or genitals; hives or skin rash that spreads and causes blistering and peeling.

Common side effects of mebendazole may include:

• nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, diarrhea;

• stomach pain, gas; or

• rash.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Other drugs may interact with mebendazole, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Tell your doctor about all your current medicines and any medicine you start or stop using.

Keep all appointments with your doctor and the laboratory. Your doctor will order certain lab tests to check your response to mebendazole.

Do not let anyone else take your medication. Your prescription is probably not refillable. If you still have symptoms of infection after you finish the mebendazole, call your doctor.

It is important for you to keep a written list of all of the prescription and nonprescription (over-the-counter) medicines you are taking, as well as any products such as vitamins, minerals, or other dietary supplements. You should bring this list with you each time you visit a doctor or if you are admitted to a hospital. It is also important information to carry with you in case of emergencies.