6 Emverm Side Effects and How to Manage Them
Emverm (mebendazole) is used to treat worm infections. Mild Emverm side effects include nausea and appetite changes, though more serious issues are possible.
Vermox
Used for Parasitic Infection
Used for Parasitic Infection
Vermox (mebendazole) is an antiparasite medication. It's used to treat roundworm and whipworm intestinal infections in adults and children ages 1 year and older. This medication is available as a chewable tablet that's taken by mouth as a single dose. Some side effects of Vermox (mebendazole) include stomach upset and rash.
Please note: Vermox (mebendazole) has been discontinued and is no longer available in the United States. Ask your primary care provider about other options to treat intestinal worm infections.
What is Vermox (mebendazole)?
What is Vermox (mebendazole) used for?
How Vermox (mebendazole) works
Vermox (mebendazole) is an antiparasitic. It kills intestinal worms by preventing them from being able to use sugar for energy to survive.
Drug facts
| Common Brands | Vermox |
|---|---|
| Drug Class | Antiparasitic |
| Controlled Substance Classification | Not a controlled medication |
| Generic Status | No lower-cost generic available |
| Availability | Discontinued |
Side effects of Vermox (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
- Low appetite
- Stomach pain
- Diarrhea
- Gas
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Rash
Less Common Side Effects
- Dizziness
- Severe skin reactions
- Hair loss
- Swelling
The following Vermox (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.
Pros and cons of Vermox (mebendazole)
Pros
- Works well to treat stomach infections caused by certain worms
- Taken as a single dose
- Can be used in children as young as 1 year of age
Cons
- Only used for infections in the stomach due to Ascaris lumbricoide and Trichuris trichiura worms
- Safety in pregnancy isn't clear
- No longer available
Pharmacist tips for Vermox (mebendazole)
- Chew the Vermox (mebendazole) tablet completely before swallowing; don't swallow the tablet whole.
- If you or your child is having trouble chewing Vermox (mebendazole), you can add about 2 mL to 3 mL (about half a teaspoon) of water to a spoon and place the Vermox (mebendazole) tablet in the water. It'll absorb the water and turn soft, which can be easily swallowed.
- You can take Vermox (mebendazole) with or without food. But taking it with food might help prevent any stomach upset.
- Don't take Vermox (mebendazole) and metronidazole (Flagyl) together. Doing so raises the risk of serious skin reactions, such as Stevens-Johnson syndrome (SJS) or toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN).
- The safety of Vermox (mebendazole) during pregnancy or breastfeeding isn't completely clear. Don't use Vermox (mebendazole) if you're pregnant or breastfeeding without talking to your obstetrician-gynecologist (Ob-Gyn) first.
Risks and warnings for Vermox (mebendazole)
Vermox (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.
Medication interaction
Though rare, there have been reports of people who experienced serious skin reactions, such as Stevens-Johnson syndrome (SJS), after taking Vermox (mebendazole) with an antibiotic called metronidazole (Flagyl). You should not take these 2 medications together.
Vermox (mebendazole) dosage
Typical dosage for Vermox (mebendazole)
The typical dose is 500 mg that's chewed and swallowed as a single dose.
Interactions between Vermox (mebendazole) and other drugs
Vermox (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 Vermox (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.
What are alternatives to Vermox (mebendazole)?
There are a number of medications that your doctor can prescribe in place of Vermox (mebendazole). Compare a few possible alternatives below.
Vermox (mebendazole)
Used for:
Treatment of stomach infections in people ages 1 year and older due to:
