Mebendazole for the Treatment of Pinworms
Examples
Mebendazole is available
by prescription only. It is a chewable tablet given in two doses about 2 weeks
apart. The second treatment is needed to kill any
pinworms that have hatched after the first
treatment.
How It Works
Mebendazole kills both immature worms and
adult pinworms over a period of 2 to 3 days. It does not kill pinworm
eggs.
Why It Is Used
Mebendazole is used to treat pinworm
infections. It may also be used when infection persists after using pyrantel
pamoate (a nonprescription medicine).
Mebendazole should not be
taken by pregnant women, breast-feeding women, or children younger than 2 years
of age.
How Well It Works
Mebendazole is highly effective and
cures pinworm infections more than 90% of the time.1
Side Effects
Side effects are rare but may
include:
- Diarrhea.
- Abdominal pain.
See Drug Reference for a full list of side effects. (Drug
Reference is not available in all systems.)
What To Think About
Children younger than age 2 should
only take this medicine on the advice of a doctor.
Pregnant women
and breast-feeding women should not take mebendazole without first consulting a
doctor.
Complete the new medication information form (PDF)(What is a PDF document?) to help you understand this medication.
References
Citations
-
Dent AE, Kazura JW (2007). Enterobiasis (Enterobius vermicularis). In RM Kliegman et al., eds.,
Nelson Textbook of Pediatrics, 18th ed., pp. 1500–1501.
Philadelphia: Saunders Elsevier.
Credits
|
By
|
Healthwise Staff |
|
Primary Medical Reviewer
|
Kathleen Romito, MD - Family Medicine |
|
Specialist Medical Reviewer
|
Susan C. Kim, MD - Pediatrics |
|
Last Revised
|
September 2, 2010 |
Last Revised:
September 2, 2010
Dent AE, Kazura JW (2007). Enterobiasis (Enterobius vermicularis). In RM Kliegman et al., eds.,
Nelson Textbook of Pediatrics, 18th ed., pp. 1500–1501.
Philadelphia: Saunders Elsevier.
