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Vermox

mebendazole
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.

Reviewed by:
reviewer
Robert Chad Hakim, PharmD, BCCCP
reviewer
Kristianne Hannemann, PharmD
Last reviewed on February 15, 2024
BasicsSide effectsPros & consPharmacist tipsFAQsWarningsDosageInteractionsAlternativesLatest newsReferencesPricesMedicare
basics-icon

What is Vermox (mebendazole)?

What is Vermox (mebendazole) used for?

Treatment of stomach infections in people ages 1 year and older due to:

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.

Are you looking for information on Emverm (mebendazole) instead?

Drug Facts

Common BrandsVermox (brand name no longer available)
Drug ClassAntiparasitic
Controlled Substance ClassificationNot a controlled medication
Generic StatusNo lower-cost generic available
AvailabilityDiscontinued
basics-icon

What are the 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

Other Side Effects

  • Dizziness
  • Severe skin reactions
  • Hair loss
  • Swelling

Source: DailyMed

The following 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

nausea and vomiting

painful or difficult urination

pale skin

redness of the skin

sore throat

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

diarrhea

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

Incidence not known

Bloated

excess air or gas in the stomach or intestines

full feeling

hair loss or thinning of the hair

loss of appetite

passing gas

weight loss

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

Pros and cons of Vermox (mebendazole)

thumbs-up

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

thumbs-down

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

Pharmacist tips for Vermox (mebendazole)

pharmacist

  • 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.

        • 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.

          faqs

          Frequently asked questions about Vermox (mebendazole)

          Is Vermox (mebendazole) still available?
          No. Vermox (mebendazole) is no longer available in the United States. A brand-name medication called Emverm, which contains mebendazole (the same medication in Vermox) is still currently available and approved for people ages 2 years and older.
          Why was Vermox (mebendazole) discontinued?
          It's unknown why Vermox (mebendazole) was discontinued. According to the FDA, Vermox (mebendazole) wasn't discontinued because it was unsafe or didn't work well. Currently, the manufacturer is only supplying Vermox (mebendazole) to countries with people at higher risk for intestinal worms through a donation program until 2025; they don't plan to make this medication commercially available.
          Can I take Vermox (mebendazole) to prevent an infection?
          You shouldn't take Vermox (mebendazole) just in case to prevent an infection. This medication is only approved to treat infections caused by certain types of intestinal worms, after proper diagnosis by a healthcare professional (HCP). But currently, this medication isn't available in the United States. If you're concerned about possible intestinal worm infections, talk with your HCP about prevention and treatment options.
          How long does Vermox (mebendazole) stay in your system?
          It takes about 15 to 30 hours for most of Vermox (mebendazole) to leave your body after a single dose. This time frame is estimated based on the half-life of Vermox (mebendazole).
          Is Vermox (mebendazole) over the counter?
          No, Vermox (mebendazole) was only available by a prescription from a healthcare professional. But it's no longer available in the United States.
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          What are the 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.

          risk-warning

          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.

          dosage

          Vermox (mebendazole) dosage forms

          Typical dosing for Vermox (mebendazole)

          The typical dose is 500 mg that's chewed and swallowed as a single dose.

          interactions

          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.

          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.

          alternatives

          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:

          View Prices
          Emverm (mebendazole)
          Used for:
          $1448.54 Lowest GoodRx priceView Prices

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          References

          Best studies we found

          Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2024). About ascariasis.

          Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2024). About whipworms.

          Drugs@FDA: FDA-Approved Drugs. (n.d.). Vermox. U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

          View All References (2)

          Janssen Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (2021). Vermox- mebendazole tablet, chewable [package insert]. DailyMed.

          Johnson & Johnson. (2019). Johnson & Johnson extends long-standing donation program to support global effort to tackle intestinal worms.

          GoodRx Health has strict sourcing policies and relies on primary sources such as medical organizations, governmental agencies, academic institutions, and peer-reviewed scientific journals. Learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate, thorough, and unbiased by reading our editorial guidelines.
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