Mebendazole Side Effects

Please note - some side effects for Mebendazole may not be reported. Always consult your doctor or healthcare specialist for medical advice. You may also report side effects to the FDA at http://www.fda.gov/medwatch/ or 1-800-FDA-1088 (1-800-332-1088).

Side Effects of Mebendazole - for the Consumer

Mebendazole

All medicines may cause side effects, but many people have no, or minor, side effects. Check with your doctor if any of these most COMMON side effects persist or become bothersome when using Mebendazole:

Diarrhea; stomach pain.

Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; itching; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue); fever, chills, or persistent sore throat; hoarseness; seizures; yellowing of the eyes or skin.

Mebendazole Side Effects - for the Professional

Mebendazole

Gastrointestinal

Transient symptoms of abdominal pain and diarrhea in cases of massive infection and expulsion of worms.

Hypersensitivity

Rash, urticaria and angioedema have been observed on rare occasions.

Central Nervous System

Very rare cases of convulsions have been reported.

Liver

There have been liver function test elevations [AST (SGOT), ALT (SGPT), and GGT] and rare reports of hepatitis when Mebendazole was taken for prolonged periods and at dosages substantially above those recommended.

Hematologic

Neutropenia and agranulocytosis..

Side Effects by Body System

General

Since mebendazole is not well absorbed, few systemic side effects are reported. Side effects may be more likely and more severe in patients with underlying liver disease.

Gastrointestinal

Gastrointestinal side effects have included nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal pain, especially when the intestinal parasite burden is great.

Hepatic

Increased liver function tests have been associated with mebendazole in patients with hepatic hydatid cysts.

Hepatic side effects have included transient changes in liver function tests and granulomatous hepatitis. These side effects have been reported when mebendazole was taken for prolonged periods and at dosages substantially above those recommended.

Hematologic

Bone marrow biopsy results during mebendazole-associated leukopenia or pancytopenia have revealed hypocellularity. These effects reverse upon drug discontinuation.

Hematologic side effects are unusual and reversible, but may be severe. Profound leukopenia, often accompanied by anemia and thrombocytopenia, has been reported. Pancytopenia and neutropenia have also been reported.

Dermatologic

Dermatologic side effects have included rare reports of alopecia and angioedema. Rash, pruritus, urticaria, and flushing have also been reported.

Other

No evidence of hypersensitivity (eosinophilia, rash, leukocytosis) accompanied the rare reports of drug fever. The fever may have been idiosyncratic or evidence of a reaction to drug-induced tissue necrosis in hydatid cysts.

Other side effects have included chills and drug fever.

Nervous system

Nervous system side effects have been reported rarely. These have included weakness, drowsiness, and seizures.

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