Mebendazole Drug Classification
Mebendazole is classified as a synthetic broad-spectrum anthelmintic medication. 1
Pharmacological Properties
- Mebendazole is a benzimidazole derivative with the chemical name methyl 5-benzoylbenzimidazole-2-carbamate 1, 2
- It has poor absorption from the gastrointestinal tract, which is advantageous for treating intestinal helminth infections but may limit efficacy in systemic infections 2
- The mechanism of action involves microtubular destruction in parasites, inhibiting glucose uptake into susceptible helminths, leading to their death 2
- Mebendazole has a molecular weight of 295.29 and is poorly soluble in water, dilute mineral acid solutions, alcohol, ether, and chloroform, but is soluble in formic acid 1
Clinical Applications
- Mebendazole is effective against multiple helminth infections, making it particularly valuable for patients with mixed nematode infections 3
- It is considered a drug of choice for treating:
- It is also effective against ascariasis, though there may be preferable alternatives 2, 3
- For pinworm infections, the recommended dosage is 100 mg as a single dose, repeated after 2 weeks 6, 5
Dosing Considerations
- Standard adult dosing for most helminth infections is 100 mg twice daily for 3 days 3
- For children with pinworm infections, mebendazole 100 mg as a single dose is recommended, with a repeat dose in 2 weeks 6, 5
- For trichinellosis, mebendazole is considered an alternative to albendazole 7
Efficacy and Safety
- Clinical studies have demonstrated high cure rates for various helminth infections:
- Mebendazole is generally well-tolerated with minimal side effects 8, 3
- Its safety profile makes it suitable for use in both adults and children 9, 8
Clinical Considerations
- The poor absorption of mebendazole makes it ideal for treating intestinal parasites but may limit its effectiveness for systemic helminth infections 2
- For mixed helminth infections, mebendazole offers the advantage of broad-spectrum activity 9, 3
- In some cases, combining mebendazole with an antidiarrheal agent may enhance its efficacy 8