Mebendazole
Definition
A medication for parasitic worm infestations - Ascaris lumbricoides, Trichuris trichura, hookworm, guinea worm, hydatid disease, giardia
A broad spectrum antihelminthic agent
Uses
A highly effective broad spectrum antihelmintic for the treatment of nematodes mentioned above.
Mechanism of Action & Effect
Poorly absorbed into the blood sream hence for infestations outside the GIT other drugs used
Used alone in mild to moderate infestations
Mebendazole is effective against both larval and adult stages of nematodes and in the case of roundworms and whipworm kills the eggs also
It kills the worms slowly, so a few of the worms may migrate to appendix - appendicitis, bile duct problems
Hence in heavy infestations piperazine is used either before or instead of mebendazole
Piperazine paralyses the parasites and causes them to pass in the stools.
Adverse Effects
Headache, vomiting, ringing sound in the ears, in large doses bone marrow depression
Pharmokinetics
Absorbed easily from the GIT
Well tolerated
