From the Research
The recommended dose of Mebendazole for most intestinal helminth infections is 100 mg twice daily for 3 days, as supported by the most recent and highest quality study 1. This dose has been shown to be effective against a variety of parasitic worms, including Ascaris lumbricoides, hookworm, and Trichuris trichiura. The medication works by inhibiting microtubule formation in parasitic worms, preventing glucose uptake and eventually causing their death.
Some key points to consider when prescribing Mebendazole include:
- The medication should be taken with food to enhance absorption
- Common side effects include abdominal pain, diarrhea, and nausea, which are usually mild and transient
- Mebendazole is contraindicated during pregnancy, especially in the first trimester, and caution should be used in children under 2 years of age
- For maximum effectiveness, all household members should be treated simultaneously when treating highly contagious infections like pinworms
It's worth noting that some studies have investigated the use of Mebendazole in different dosages and treatment regimens, such as a single dose of 500 mg 1 or a multiple dose regimen of 200 mg three times daily for 3 days 2. However, the most recent and highest quality study 1 supports the use of 100 mg twice daily for 3 days as the standard dose for most intestinal helminth infections.
In terms of specific infections, the following doses may be considered:
- For pinworm (enterobiasis) infections, a single 100 mg dose may be sufficient, though it may need to be repeated after 2-3 weeks to prevent reinfection
- For more severe infections like echinococcosis or hydatid disease, higher doses of 400-600 mg three times daily for several months may be required under medical supervision
- For taeniasis solium and taeniasis saginata, a dose of 300 mg twice daily for 3 days may be effective 3