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

Vermox 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.

Vermox 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.

Do not take Vermox if you are taking metronidazole (Flagyl) as the combination could cause a severe skin reaction that includes fevers, blistering red or purple rash, skin peeling.

Take Vermox exactly as directed by 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 Vermox 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. Vermox 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 Vermox 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 Vermox at room temperature away from moisture and heat.

You should not use Vermox if you are allergic to mebendazole.

Before you use Vermox, tell your doctor if you have ever had;

• liver disease;
• inflammatory bowel disease (including Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis);
• kidney disease; or
• neutropenia (low white blood cells).

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

It is not known whether Vermox will harm an unborn baby. Animal studies have shown that it could cause harm in the first trimester. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant before using Vermox.

It is not known whether mebendazole passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. Tell your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

Vermox should not be used in children less than 1 year of age.

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 this medicine.

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

Overdose symptoms may include ongoing stomach pain or vomiting. Hair loss can also occur, which may be permanent.

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 to Vermox: hives; difficult breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Call your doctor at once if you have:

• seizures or convulsions; or

• sudden weakness or ill feeling, fever, chills, sore throat, mouth sores, red or swollen gums, trouble swallowing, easy bruising or bleeding (these can be signs of a bone marrow problem);

• nausea, upper stomach pain, itching, tired feeling, loss of appetite, dark urine, clay-colored stools, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes).

• purple or red skin rash with blisters of skin and mouth; fevers, and weakness.

Common Vermox side effects may include:

• diarrhea, vomiting, stomach pain; or

• decreased appetite; 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.

Do not use metronidazole (Flagyl) while taking Vermox.

Other drugs may interact with Vermox, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Tell each of your health care providers about all medicines you use now and any medicine you start or stop using.