What mebendazole brands are available in the Philippines and what are the recommended dosing regimens for individuals aged ≥2 years, including children who cannot swallow tablets?

Mebendazole Availability and Dosing in the Philippines

Mebendazole is widely available in the Philippines under multiple brand names, with the most common being Vermox® (the original brand) and various generic equivalents including X-WORM®, both available as 500 mg chewable tablets and 100 mg solid tablets in local pharmacies and through public health deworming programs. 1

Available Formulations in the Philippines

Brand Names and Formulations

• Vermox® (original brand by Johnson & Johnson): Available as 500 mg chewable tablets and 100 mg solid tablets 1
• X-WORM®: Generic equivalent available as 500 mg chewable tablets and 100 mg solid tablets 1
• Multiple other generic brands are available in Philippine pharmacies with similar formulations

Chewable Formulation for Young Children

• The 500 mg chewable tablet is specifically designed for children who cannot swallow solid tablets and has been proven safe and well-tolerated in children as young as 2 years old 2
• The chewable formulation should be chewed for optimal absorption 3
• This formulation is particularly important for preventive chemotherapy programs targeting preschool-age children 2

Recommended Dosing Regimens

For Children ≥2 Years and Adults

Ascariasis (Ascaris lumbricoides):

• Single dose: 500 mg as a single dose (cure rate 92.6%, egg reduction rate 97.9%) 4
• Alternative: 100 mg twice daily for 3 days 3, 5

Whipworm (Trichuris trichiura):

• 100 mg twice daily for 3 days (more effective than single dose for this parasite) 3
• Single 500 mg dose is less effective for whipworm (cure rate only 27.6%) 4

Hookworm infections:

• Single dose: 500 mg as a single dose (egg reduction rate 72.0%, though cure rate is lower at 25.5%) 4, 6
• Alternative: 100 mg twice daily for 3 days 3

Special Populations

Children who cannot swallow tablets:

• Use the 500 mg chewable formulation, which must be chewed rather than swallowed whole 3, 2
• Safe for children as young as 2 years old 2

Infants <12 months:

• Mebendazole is contraindicated in infants under 12 months of age 3

Pregnant women:

• Mebendazole is contraindicated during pregnancy 3

Efficacy Comparison Between Brands

Recent evidence from Ethiopia comparing Vermox® and X-WORM® (both brands available in the Philippines) showed:

• No significant difference in efficacy between brands 1
• Against Ascaris: Vermox® ERR 97.63% vs X-WORM® 95.87% 1
• Against hookworm: Vermox® ERR 74.96% vs X-WORM® 71.5% 1
• Both brands showed satisfactory efficacy based on egg reduction rates 1

Critical Clinical Considerations

Treatment Completion

• Complete the full course even if symptoms improve before completion 3
• Re-treatment may be necessary in areas with high reinfection rates (common in the Philippines) 3

Common Pitfalls

• Do not use single-dose 500 mg for whipworm infections—the 3-day regimen (100 mg twice daily) is significantly more effective 3, 4
• For hookworm, while egg reduction is substantial, cure rates remain modest even with appropriate treatment, so follow-up may be needed 1, 6
• Ensure chewable tablets are actually chewed, not swallowed whole, for optimal absorption 3

Adverse Events

• Mebendazole is generally safe and well-tolerated in children aged 2-10 years 2
• Most common adverse events are mild: diarrhea (primarily in younger children aged 2-5 years), nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, headache 2, 5
• No serious adverse events have been reported in clinical trials 5