What is the recommended dose of mebendazole (antiparasitic medication) for a child weighing 50 kilograms (kg)?

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Mebendazole Dosing for a 50 kg Child

For a child weighing 50 kg, administer mebendazole 100 mg twice daily for 3 consecutive days, regardless of the specific helminth infection being treated. 1

Standard Pediatric Dosing

  • The recommended dose is 100 mg twice daily for 3 days for all children, independent of weight or age, as this regimen has been validated across multiple studies and guideline recommendations 1, 2, 3

  • This dosing applies uniformly to common soil-transmitted helminth infections including:

    • Ascariasis (Ascaris lumbricoides): 100 mg twice daily for 3 days 1, 2, 3
    • Hookworm infections: 100 mg twice daily for 3 days 1, 2, 3, 4
    • Whipworm (Trichuris trichiura): 100 mg twice daily for 3 days 1, 2, 3

Critical Administration Details

  • Tablets should be chewed for optimal absorption, not swallowed whole 1

  • The full 3-day course must be completed even if symptoms improve before completion 1

Efficacy Considerations by Parasite Type

  • For hookworm infections specifically, the multiple-dose regimen (100 mg twice daily for 3 days) achieves 98% cure rates, vastly superior to single-dose therapy which only achieves 13% cure rates 4

  • For severe or symptomatic trichuriasis, some children may require a 6-day course (100 mg twice daily for 6 days) or repeat treatment cycles to achieve complete parasite eradication 5, 6

  • Ascariasis shows excellent response with standard 3-day therapy, achieving >99% egg reduction rates 2, 3

Re-treatment Protocol

  • Re-treatment may be necessary in areas with high reinfection rates, particularly for hookworm and whipworm infections 1

  • For treatment failures in trichuriasis, consider extending therapy to 6 days or administering a repeat 3-6 day course 5, 6

Safety Profile

  • Mebendazole is well-tolerated with minimal side effects in children 2, 3, 5

  • Common mild adverse events include abdominal pain, headache, and diarrhea, occurring at similar rates to placebo 4

  • Contraindicated in pregnancy and infants under 12 months of age 1

References

Guideline

Mebendazole Treatment Guidelines for Children

Praxis Medical Insights: Practical Summaries of Clinical Guidelines, 2025

Research

Mebendazole in the treatment of helminthiasis.

Canadian Medical Association journal, 1976

Research

Treatment of soil-transmitted nematode infections in children with mebendazole.

Annals of tropical medicine and parasitology, 1978

Research

Mebendazole in the treatment of severe symptomatic trichuriasis in children.

The American journal of tropical medicine and hygiene, 1977

Research

Further experience with mebendazole in the treatment of symptomatic trichuriasis in children.

The American journal of tropical medicine and hygiene, 1978

Professional Medical Disclaimer

This information is intended for healthcare professionals. Any medical decision-making should rely on clinical judgment and independently verified information. The content provided herein does not replace professional discretion and should be considered supplementary to established clinical guidelines. Healthcare providers should verify all information against primary literature and current practice standards before application in patient care. Dr.Oracle assumes no liability for clinical decisions based on this content.

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