The active substance mebendazole is a drug belonging to the category of benzimidazoles. The drug was developed and launched on the market by the pharmaceutical manufacturer Janssen Pharmaceutica. The substance mebendazole is used in the majority of cases in the treatment of worm diseases. This is because the drug mebendazole is a so-called broad-spectrum anthelmintic, which is suitable, for example, for the treatment of ancylostomatidosis.
What is mebendazole?
In principle, the substance mebendazole is a drug with antiparasitic properties. Mebendazole belongs to the category of antihelminthics and is usually used to treat an infestation of the intestine with worms. The effect is due to the fact that the substance mebendazole binds to the substance tubulin and impairs the division of worm cells. To fight pinworms, one tablet is to be taken together with a meal. Two weeks later, another tablet is administered. Common side effects caused by the drug include diarrhea and other digestive disorders, pain in the abdominal area, and flatulence. The active substance mebendazole is a derivative of benzimidazole, and it is also a carbamate. The substance comes in the form of a powder, which has a white color. The substance is virtually insoluble in water.
Pharmacological effect
The action of the drug mebendazole is based on the fact that it attaches to the microtubules inside the intestine of worms. As a consequence, the uptake of glucose is blocked and degeneration occurs. However, mammalian cells are not affected by the substance mebendazole. After oral administration of the drug, the active substance is usually incompletely absorbed. In addition, the first-pass effect is relatively pronounced in the majority of cases, so that a considerable proportion of the drug is excreted again. For this reason, only a small portion of the originally ingested dose is available. Due to the strong first-pass effect, it acts primarily in the intestine. Basically, the drug mebendazole is characterized by strong antihelminthic effects. The effect of the drug is parasite-specific. It is a chemotherapeutic agent that affects microtubules, causing degeneration of intestinal cells of worms.
Medical application and use
The drug mebendazole is suitable for the medical treatment of intestinal infections with worms. Here, the drug is primarily effective against certain types of tapeworms as well as nematodes. It is also sometimes used in the treatment of cystic and alveolar echinococcosis and trichinosis. High doses of the active ingredient are necessary in these cases. In addition, the drug mebendazole is used in veterinary medicine, where it is also used to treat numerous worm diseases. The dosage of the drug mebendazole is always given in accordance with the enclosed specialist information. The type of treatment varies depending on the particular worm species. In most cases, one tablet is administered initially and the dose is repeated after two weeks. However, depending on the manufacturer, a therapy duration of three days may also be prescribed.
Risks and side effects
Before taking the drug mebendazole for the first time, various potential side effects must be considered, which are weighed by the attending physician after considering the individual case. Basically, undesirable side effects caused by the substance mebendazole do not occur in every patient and also differ in terms of their frequencies. Side effects also vary in their manifestation and severity in different individuals. Particularly common side effects resulting from the use of the drug mebendazole are, for example, dizzy spells, headaches and nausea. In some cases, there are also digestive disorders that manifest themselves in various ways. Thus, some patients suffer from vomiting or diarrhea. Pain in the area of the abdomen and flatulence are also possible. During therapy with the active substance mebendazole, not only various side effects must be taken into account, but also some contraindications. These must be followed urgently, otherwise there is a risk of serious complications.First of all, the drug mebendazole is contraindicated in the presence of hypersensitivity to the active substance. In addition, taking the drug during pregnancy is not indicated. In addition, simultaneous use of metronidazole and the drug mebendazole should be refrained from. When using the drug in veterinary medicine, it should also be noted that mebendazole has a teratogenic effect in rodents. The drug mebendazole is not suitable for children younger than one year. In children under two years of age, use is indicated only with reservations, and strict medical supervision is necessary. All indications regarding contraindications are listed in the technical information of the respective preparation. In addition, some interactions of the drug with other substances exist. For example, the concentration of the active substance mebendazole in the plasma of the blood is reduced if the substances phenytoin or carbamazepine are taken at the same time. These are so-called enzyme inducers. Simultaneous intake of metronidazole and insulins should also be avoided.
