mebendazole
Last reviewed 03/2021
Mebendazole is a potent, broad-spectrum antihelmintic drug. It has a low solubility and is poorly absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract.
Mebendazole prevents the formation of the parasite cytoskeletal protein via the inhibition of beta-tubulin polymerisation; also impairs glucose uptake. The selective action on parasitic, rather than mamalian tubulin, results in the low toxicity of mebendazole and related drugs in humans.
Mebendazole is used to treat threadworm, whipworm, roundworm and hookworm infections.
Cautions include pregnancy, and a contra-indication is children under 2 years old.
Side-effects are rare, and are as follows:
- abdominal pain
- diarrhoea
It is administered orally as tablets or in suspension.