Worms in Humans: What to Know About Mebendazole, Ivermectin, and 5 Other Anthelmintics
Learn about antiparasitic medications for treating worm infections in humans, how anthelmintic drugs work to kill worms, infections they treat, and more.
Emverm
Used for Parasitic Infection
Used for Parasitic Infection
Emverm (mebendazole) is an antiparasitic medication used to treat various worm infections of the intestine like pinworm, roundworm, whipworm, and hookworm. It comes as a chewable tablet that can be used in adults and children ages 2 years and older. It's only available as a brand-name medication since there is no generic. Common side effects include loss of appetite, stomach pain, and diarrhea.
What is Emverm (mebendazole)?
How Emverm (mebendazole) works
Emverm (mebendazole) is an antiparasitic. It kills intestinal worms by not allowing them to use energy for survival.
Drug facts
| Common Brands | Emverm |
|---|---|
| Drug Class | Antiparasitic |
| Controlled Substance Classification | Not a controlled medication |
| Generic Status | No lower-cost generic available |
| Availability | Prescription only |
Side effects of Emverm (mebendazole)
The following side effects may get better over time as your body gets used to the medication. Let your healthcare provider know immediately if you continue to experience these symptoms or if they worsen over time.
Common Side Effects
- Reduced appetite
- Stomach pain
- Diarrhea
- Passing gas
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Rash
Less Common Side Effects
- Dizziness
- Seizures
- Liver damage
- Kidney damage
- Hair loss
- Swelling
Emverm (mebendazole) serious side effects
Contact your healthcare provider immediately if you experience any of the following.
- Low white blood cell count: fever, infections, fatigue, sore throat
More on Emverm (mebendazole) side effects
The following Emverm (mebendazole) side effects have also been reported
Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.
Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur:
Rare
Black, tarry stools
chills
convulsions
cough or hoarseness
dark urine
fever with or without chills
general feeling of tiredness or weakness
hives or welts, itching, or skin rash
large, hive-like swelling on the face, eyelids, lips, tongue, throat, hands, legs, feet, or sex organs
light-colored stools
lower back or side pain
painful or difficult urination
pale skin
redness of the skin
sores, ulcers, or white spots on the lips or in the mouth
unusual bleeding or bruising
unusual tiredness or weakness
upper right abdominal or stomach pain
yellow eyes and skin
Incidence not known
Blistering, peeling, or loosening of the skin
difficulty with swallowing
dizziness
fast heartbeat
joint or muscle pain
red skin lesions, often with a purple center
red, irritated eyes
tightness in the chest
Some side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects. Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:
Rare
Abdominal or stomach pain or upset
Other side effects not listed may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your healthcare professional.
Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
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GoodRx discount
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Pros and cons of Emverm (mebendazole)
Pros
- Can be taken with or without food
- Safe to use in children 2 years and older
- Works well with a small number of doses
Cons
- Side effects include nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea
- Can cause a serious skin reaction if taken with metronidazole
- Can take up to 3 weeks for the infection to clear
Pharmacist tips for Emverm (mebendazole)
- Take Emverm (mebendazole) with or without meals. You can chew the tablet, swallow it whole, or crush and mix it with food.
- Be sure to finish all the Emverm (mebendazole) that was prescribed to you, even if you feel better. Stopping too early can cause your infection to return.
- Some people can still have lingering symptoms of their infections after finishing all their doses of Emverm (mebendazole). If you're still having symptoms more than 3 weeks after finishing the medication, contact your healthcare professional (HCP). You might need to take Emverm (mebendazole) again.
- If you're taking Emverm (mebendazole) for long periods of time or if you have to use it multiple times in a row, your HCP might ask you to get some blood tests done. Long-term use of the medication can lower the number of white blood cells in your body that fight infections.
Risks and warnings for Emverm (mebendazole)
Emverm (mebendazole) can cause some serious health issues. This risk may be even higher for certain groups. If this worries you, talk to your doctor or pharmacist about other options.
Seizures
- Risk factors: Children under age 1
Emverm (mebendazole) can cause seizures, particularly in children under 1 year old. That's why the medication shouldn't be used in children under 2 years of age. If you experience seizures while taking Emverm (mebendazole), contact your prescriber immediately.
Low white blood cell count
- Risk factors: High doses of Emverm (mebendazole) | Using Emverm (mebendazole) longer than usual
Emverm (mebendazole) can lower the number of white blood cells in your body. These are the cells that fight off infections; without the right amount of white blood cells, you can get sick easier and have a harder time getting better. This side effect is very rare when taken as prescribed for worm infections. It usually only happens if you have to take a very high dose of Emverm (mebendazole) or take Emverm (mebendazole) for long periods of time. If you need multiple courses of Emverm (mebendazole) to treat a stubborn infection, your HCP might ask you to have blood tests done to make sure your white blood cells are at a normal level.
Serious skin reactions
- Risk factors: Taking metronidazole with Emverm (mebendazole)
Don't take Emverm (mebendazole) with metronidazole (Flagyl) or any product that contains metronidazole. This combination can cause life-threatening skin rashes. These are allergic rashes that are painful and create blisters all over the body. Get medical attention right away if you notice a new or severe rash, a rash accompanied by a fever, unexplained blisters, or new sores inside your mouth. If you're currently taking or have recently finished taking metronidazole, ask your prescriber before starting Emverm (mebendazole) to determine a safe time to begin treatment and avoid this dangerous interaction.
Emverm (mebendazole) dosage
The average cost for 6 chewable tablets of 100mg of Emverm (mebendazole) is $3,904.78 with a free GoodRx coupon. This is 28.00% off the average retail price of $5,423.23. 
Chewable tablet
Chewable tablet| Dosage | Quantity | Price as low as | Price per unit |
|---|---|---|---|
| 100mg | 6 chewable tablets | $3,904.78 | $650.80 |
Typical dosage for Emverm (mebendazole)
- Pinworm: The typical dose is 100 mg by mouth one time only.
- Whipworm, roundworm, and hookworm: The typical dose is 100 mg by mouth in the morning and evening for 3 days in a row.
Interactions between Emverm (mebendazole) and other drugs
Emverm (mebendazole) may interact with certain medications or supplements. Always let your doctor and pharmacist know about any other medications or supplements (including prescribed and over-the-counter medications, vitamins, and dietary or herbal supplements) that you are currently taking. The list below does not include all possible drug interactions with Emverm (mebendazole). Please note that only the generic name of each medication is listed below.
Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. When you are taking this medicine, it is especially important that your healthcare professional know if you are taking any of the medicines listed below. The following interactions have been selected on the basis of their potential significance and are not necessarily all-inclusive.
Using this medicine with any of the following medicines is usually not recommended, but may be required in some cases. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.
How much does Emverm (mebendazole) cost?
To access savings, use a GoodRx coupon and pay just a fraction of the retail price.
Emverm (brand)
$3,904.78
What are alternatives to Emverm (mebendazole)?
There are a number of medications that your doctor can prescribe in place of Emverm (mebendazole). Compare a few possible alternatives below.
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