Mebendazole Dosage for a 14 kg Child
For a 14 kg child, the recommended dose of mebendazole is 100 mg twice daily for 3 days. 1
Dosing Recommendations by Parasite Type
General Helminth Infections
- For most helminth infections in children, mebendazole is administered at 100 mg twice daily for 3 days 2
- For children weighing less than 20 kg (which includes a 14 kg child), the appropriate dose remains 100 mg twice daily 1, 2
Specific Parasitic Infections
- Whipworm (Trichuris trichiura): 100 mg twice daily for 3 days, often combined with ivermectin for better efficacy 1
- Hookworm infections: 100 mg twice daily for 3 days, though a multiple-dose regimen shows significantly higher cure rates (98%) compared to single-dose regimens (13%) 3
- Ascariasis (Ascaris lumbricoides): Can be treated with either 100 mg twice daily for 3 days or a single 500 mg dose 1
Administration Considerations
- Mebendazole can be given with or without food 2
- For young children who cannot swallow tablets, the tablets can be chewed or crushed and mixed with food 2
- The full course of treatment should be completed even if symptoms improve before completion 1
Monitoring and Safety
- Mebendazole is generally well-tolerated in children 4, 2
- Common mild adverse events include abdominal pain, headache, and diarrhea 3
- No significant laboratory monitoring is required for short-course therapy in otherwise healthy children 2
Alternative Options
- Albendazole: 400 mg as a single dose can be an alternative for Ascaris infections 1, 5
- Praziquantel: For certain tapeworm infections at 10-25 mg/kg as a single dose 1
- Ivermectin: Often used in combination with mebendazole for certain infections 1
Important Clinical Considerations
- For heavy infections or mixed parasitic infections, the full 3-day course is preferred over single-dose regimens 3, 6
- Treatment efficacy should be confirmed with follow-up stool examination 2-3 weeks after treatment completion 3
- Re-treatment may be necessary in areas with high reinfection rates 1
Remember that the appropriate dose of mebendazole for a 14 kg child is 100 mg twice daily for 3 days, which provides the optimal balance of efficacy and safety for most helminth infections.