Mebendazole, Oral

________________________________________________________________________

KEY POINTS

• This medicine is taken by mouth to treat worm infections.
• Keep all appointments for tests to see how this medicine affects you.
• This medicine may cause severe blood or liver problems if taken for a long time or at high doses. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any side effects that are serious, continue, or get worse.
• Tell all healthcare providers who treat you about all the prescription medicines, nonprescription medicines, supplements, natural remedies, and vitamins that you take.

________________________________________________________________________

What are other names for this medicine?

Type of medicine: anthelmintic (antiworm)

Generic and brand names: mebendazole, oral; Emverm

What is this medicine used for?

This medicine is taken by mouth to treat several types of worm infections.

This medicine may be used to treat other conditions as determined by your healthcare provider.

What should my healthcare provider know before I take this medicine?

Before taking this medicine, tell your healthcare provider if you have ever had:

• An allergic reaction to any medicine
• Anemia or other blood disorder
• Liver disease

Females of childbearing age: Talk with your healthcare provider if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. It is not known whether this medicine will harm an unborn baby. Do not breast-feed while taking this medicine without your healthcare provider's approval.

How do I take it?

Check the label on the medicine for directions about your specific dose. Take this medicine exactly as your healthcare provider prescribes. Do not take more or less or take it longer than prescribed. Do not stop taking this medicine without your healthcare provider's approval even if you start to feel better.

Check with your healthcare provider before using this medicine in children under age 2.

The tablet may be chewed, swallowed, or crushed and mixed with food.

What if I miss a dose?

If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember unless it is almost time for the next scheduled dose. In that case, skip the missed dose and take the next one as directed. Do not take double doses. If you are not sure of what to do if you miss a dose, or if you miss more than one dose, contact your healthcare provider.

What if I overdose?

Symptoms of an acute overdose have not been reported.

What should I watch out for?

You may get infections more easily or bleed more easily during treatment with this medicine. You will need blood tests regularly to find out how this medicine may be affecting your liver or bone marrow. Keep all appointments for these tests.

Because worms may be passed from person to person, your healthcare provider may want to treat all family members at the same time.

Practice good hygiene to avoid spreading or getting worms again. Wash hands with soap often during the day, especially before eating and after using the toilet. Change undergarments, bed linens, nightclothes, and towels daily, and wash them in very hot water. Disinfect toilets daily. Do not shake clothing because the eggs are very light and can be spread in the air. Keep everything very clean to get rid of worms.

Contact your healthcare provider if your condition does not improve or if it gets worse.

If you need emergency care, surgery, or dental work, tell the healthcare provider or dentist you are taking this medicine.

What are the possible side effects?

Along with its needed effects, your medicine may cause some unwanted side effects. Some side effects may be very serious. Some side effects may go away as your body adjusts to the medicine. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any side effects that continue or get worse.

Life-threatening (Report these to your healthcare provider right away. If you cannot reach your healthcare provider right away, get emergency medical care or call 911 for help.): Allergic reaction (hives; itching; rash; trouble breathing; tightness in your chest; swelling of your lips, tongue, and throat).

Serious (Report these to your healthcare provider right away.): Any signs of an infection (sore throat, cough, fever); yellowing of your skin or eyes; dark urine; light-colored bowel movements; unusual bruising or bleeding; unusual tiredness or weakness; severe stomach pain and diarrhea; severe nausea or vomiting; seizures; severe skin rash, peeling, or blisters.

Other: Mild stomach pain, diarrhea, nausea, or vomiting; headache.

What products might interact with this medicine?

When you take this medicine with other medicines, it can change the way this or any of the other medicines work. Nonprescription medicines, vitamins, natural remedies, and certain foods may also interact. Using these products together might cause harmful side effects. Talk to your healthcare provider if you are taking:

• Antiseizure medicines such as carbamazepine (Carbatrol, Epitol, Equetro, Tegretol), fosphenytoin (Cerebyx), and phenytoin (Dilantin, Phenytek)
• Cimetidine (Tagamet)
• Malaria medicines such as chloroquine, hydroxychloroquine (Plaquenil), and primaquine
• Metronidazole

If you are not sure if your medicines might interact, ask your pharmacist or healthcare provider. Keep a list of all your medicines with you. List all the prescription medicines, nonprescription medicines, supplements, natural remedies, and vitamins that you take. Be sure that you tell all healthcare providers who treat you about all the products you are taking.

How should I store this medicine?

Store this medicine at room temperature. Keep the container tightly closed. Protect it from heat, high humidity, and bright light.

---

This advisory includes selected information only and may not include all side effects of this medicine or interactions with other medicines. Ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist for more information or if you have any questions.

Ask your pharmacist for the best way to dispose of outdated medicine or medicine you have not used. Do not throw medicine in the trash.

Keep all medicines out of the reach of children.

Do not share medicines with other people.