Mebendazole
FDA Drug Information • Also known as: Vermox
- Brand Names
- Vermox
- Dosage Form
- POWDER
- Product Type
- BULK INGREDIENT
Description
11 DESCRIPTION VERMOX™ CHEWABLE (mebendazole chewable tablets) is an orally administered anthelmintic. Chemically, it is methyl 5-benzoylbenzimidazole-2-carbamate. Its molecular formula is C 16 H 13 N 3 O 3. Its molecular weight is 295.30. It has the following chemical structure: Mebendazole exhibits polymorphism. The polymorph used in VERMOX™ CHEWABLE is polymorph form C. Mebendazole is a white to almost white powder. It is practically insoluble in water, in ethanol (96%) and in methylene chloride. Each round, flat radius-edged white to yellowish chewable tablet contains 500 mg of mebendazole and is debossed with "M/500" on one side and "J" on the other side. Inactive ingredients consist of: crospovidone, magnesium stearate, microcrystalline cellulose, povidone, purified water, strawberry flavor and sucralose. Chemical Structure
What Is Mebendazole Used For?
1 INDICATIONS AND USAGE VERMOX™ CHEWABLE is indicated for the treatment of patients one year of age and older with gastrointestinal infections caused by Ascaris lumbricoides (roundworm) and Trichuris trichiura (whipworm). VERMOX™ CHEWABLE is an anthelmintic indicated for the treatment of patients one year of age and older with gastrointestinal infections caused by: Ascaris lumbricoides (roundworm) and Trichuris trichiura (whipworm) ( 1 ).
Dosage and Administration
2 DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION The recommended dosage in patients one year of age and older is one VERMOX™ CHEWABLE 500 mg tablet taken as a single dose. Chew VERMOX™ CHEWABLE 500 mg tablet completely before swallowing. Do not swallow the tablet whole. For patients who have difficulty chewing the tablet, approximately 2 mL to 3 mL of drinking water can be added to a suitably sized spoon and the VERMOX™ CHEWABLE 500 mg tablet placed into the water. Within 2 minutes, the tablet absorbs the water and turns into a soft mass with semi-solid consistency, which can then be swallowed. VERMOX™ CHEWABLE 500 mg tablet can be taken without regard to food intake [see Clinical Pharmacology (12.3) ]. The recommended dosage in patients one year of age and older is one single tablet of VERMOX™ CHEWABLE 500 mg taken as a single dose, chewed completely before swallowing ( 2 ). See Full Prescribing Information for administration instructions for patients who have difficulty chewing the tablets ( 2 )
Side Effects (Adverse Reactions)
6 ADVERSE REACTIONS Adverse reactions reported in clinical trials were anorexia, abdominal pain, diarrhea, flatulence, nausea, vomiting and rash. ( 6.1 ). To report SUSPECTED ADVERSE REACTIONS, contact Janssen Pharmaceuticals, Inc. at 1-800-JANSSEN (1-800-526-7736) or FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or www.fda.gov/medwatch. 6.1 Clinical Studies Because clinical trials are conducted under widely varying conditions, adverse reaction rates observed in the clinical trials of a drug cannot be directly compared to rates in the clinical trials of another drug and may not reflect the rates observed in practice. The safety of mebendazole was evaluated in 6276 adult and pediatric subjects one year of age and older who participated in 39 clinical trials for treatment of single or mixed parasitic infections of the gastrointestinal tract. In these trials, the formulations, dosages and duration of mebendazole treatment varied. Adverse reactions reported in mebendazole-treated subjects from the 39 clinical trials are shown in Table 1 below. Table 1: Adverse Reactions Reported in Mebendazole-Treated Subjects from 39 Clinical Trials Includes mebendazole formulations, dosages and treatment duration other than VERMOX™ CHEWABLE 500 mg tablet Adverse Reaction(s) Gastrointestinal Disorders Anorexia Abdominal Pain Diarrhea Flatulence Nausea Vomiting Skin and Subcutaneous Tissue Disorders Rash Clinical Studies with Mebendazole Chewable 500 mg Tablet The safety profile of mebendazole chewable 500 mg tablets administered as a single dose was evaluated in 677 pediatric subjects aged 1 to 16 years and in 34 adults. The safety profile was consistent with the known safety profile of mebendazole. 6.2 Postmarketing Experience The following adverse reactions have been identified in adult and pediatric patients postmarketing with mebendazole formulations and dosages other than the VERMOX™ CHEWABLE 500 mg tablet. Because these reactions are reported voluntarily from a population of uncertain size, it is not always possible to reliably estimate their frequency or establish a causal relationship to drug exposure. Table 2: Adverse Reactions Identified During Postmarketing Experience with Mebendazole Includes mebendazole formulations, dosages and treatment durations other than VERMOX™ CHEWABLE 500 mg tablet Adverse Reaction(s) Blood and Lymphatic System Disorders Agranulocytosis, Neutropenia Immune System Disorders Hypersensitivity including anaphylactic reactions Nervous System Disorders Convulsions, Dizziness Hepatobiliary Disorders Hepatitis, Abnormal liver tests Renal and Urinary Disorders Glomerulonephritis Skin and Subcutaneous Tissue Disorders Toxic epidermal necrolysis, Stevens-Johnson syndrome, Exanthema, Angioedema, Urticaria, Alopecia
Drug Interactions
7 DRUG INTERACTIONS Concomitant use of mebendazole and metronidazole should be avoided [see Warnings and Precautions (5.3) ] .
Contraindications
4 CONTRAINDICATIONS VERMOX™ CHEWABLE is contraindicated in persons with a known hypersensitivity to the drug or its excipients. Patients with a known hypersensitivity to the drug or its excipients ( 4 )
Pregnancy and Breastfeeding
8.1 Pregnancy Risk Summary The available published literature on mebendazole use in pregnant women has not reported a clear association between mebendazole and a potential risk of major birth defects or miscarriages [see Data ]. There are risks to the mother and fetus associated with untreated helminthic infection during pregnancy [see Clinical Considerations ] . In animal reproduction studies, adverse developmental effects (i.e., skeletal malformations, soft tissue malformations, decreased pup weight, embryolethality) were observed when mebendazole was administered to pregnant rats during the period of organogenesis at single oral doses as low as 10 mg/kg (approximately 0.2-fold the maximum recommended human dose (MRHD)). Maternal toxicity was present at the highest of these doses [see Data ]. The estimated background risk of major birth defects and miscarriage for the indicated populations is unknown. All pregnancies have a background risk of birth defect, loss, or other adverse outcomes. In the U.S. general population, the estimated background risk of major birth defects and miscarriage in clinically recognized pregnancies is 2–4% and 15–20%, respectively. Clinical Considerations Disease-Associated Maternal and/or Embryo/Fetal Risks Untreated soil-transmitted helminth infections in pregnancy are associated with adverse outcomes including maternal iron deficiency anemia, low birth weight, neonatal and maternal death. Data Human Data Several published studies, including prospective pregnancy registries, case-control, retrospective cohort, and randomized controlled studies, have reported no association between mebendazole use and a potential risk of major birth defects or miscarriage. Overall, these studies did not identify a specific pattern or frequency of major birth defects with mebendazole use. However, these studies cannot definitely establish the absence of any mebendazole-associated risk because of methodological limitations, including recall bias,...
Overdosage
10 OVERDOSAGE In patients treated at dosages substantially higher than recommended or for prolonged periods of time, the following adverse reactions have been reported: alopecia, reversible transaminase elevations, hepatitis, agranulocytosis, neutropenia, and glomerulonephritis. Symptoms and signs In the event of accidental overdose, gastrointestinal signs/symptoms may occur. Treatment There is no specific antidote.
How Supplied
16 HOW SUPPLIED/STORAGE AND HANDLING VERMOX™ CHEWABLE tablets are supplied as 500 mg, round, flat radius-edged white to yellowish chewable tablets that are debossed with "M/500" on one side and "J" on the other side. They are supplied as follows: Bottles of 200 tablets NDC 50458-675-20 Store below 30°C. Keep container tightly closed. Unused tablets should be discarded 1 month after the bottle is first opened. When the bottle is first opened this Discard After date should be written on the bottle label in the place provided.
About This Information
This drug information is sourced from FDA-approved labeling via the openFDA database. It is intended for educational and reference purposes only. This is not medical advice. Always consult your healthcare provider before making decisions about medication. Drug information may be updated by the FDA; check with your pharmacist for the most current information.
What are side effects?
Side effects are unwanted reactions that can occur when taking a medication. They range from mild (headache, nausea) to severe (allergic reactions, organ damage). Not everyone experiences side effects, and severity varies. Report any concerning side effects to your doctor.
What are drug interactions?
Drug interactions occur when a medication is affected by another drug, food, or supplement. Interactions can make medications less effective or cause dangerous side effects. Always tell your doctor about all medications and supplements you take.