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Vermox Side Effects

Generic name: mebendazole

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Jun 1, 2023.

Note: This document contains side effect information about mebendazole. Some dosage forms listed on this page may not apply to the brand name Vermox.

Applies to mebendazole: oral chewable tablets.

Side effects include:

Nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, anorexia, diarrhea, flatulence, headache, rash, tinnitus, numbness, dizziness, fever, abnormal liver function tests.

For Healthcare Professionals

Applies to mebendazole: compounding powder, oral tablet chewable.

General

At the recommended dose, this drug was generally well tolerated; however, patients with high parasitic burdens reported diarrhea and abdominal pain.[Ref]

Gastrointestinal

Common (1% to 10%): Abdominal pain

Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Abdominal discomfort, diarrhea, flatulence

Frequency not reported: Nausea, vomiting[Ref]

Dermatologic

Rare (0.01% to 0.1%): Rash

Frequency not reported: Pruritus

Postmarketing reports: Toxic epidermal necrolysis, Stevens-Johnson syndrome, exanthema, alopecia, angioedema, urticaria[Ref]

Metabolic

Frequency not reported: Anorexia[Ref]

Hepatic

Frequency not reported: Transient changes in liver function tests, granulomatous hepatitis

Postmarketing reports: Hepatitis, abnormal liver function tests[Ref]

Hematologic

Frequency not reported: Profound leukopenia, anemia, thrombocytopenia, pancytopenia

Postmarketing reports: Agranulocytosis, neutropenia[Ref]

Nervous system

Frequency not reported: Weakness, drowsiness

Postmarketing reports: Convulsions/seizures, dizziness[Ref]

Renal

Postmarketing reports: Glomerulonephritis[Ref]

Other

Frequency not reported: Chills, drug fever, flushing[Ref]

Hypersensitivity

Postmarketing reports: Hypersensitivity (including anaphylactic reaction, anaphylactoid reaction)[Ref]

References

1. Barrett-Connor E. Drugs for the treatment of parasitic infection. Med Clin North Am. 1982;66:245-55.

2. Cerner Multum, Inc. UK Summary of Product Characteristics.

3. Miskovitz PF, Javitt NB. Leukopenia associated with mebendazole therapy of hydatid disease. Am J Trop Med Hyg. 1980;29:1356-8.

4. Kammerer WS, Schantz PM. Long term follow-up of human hydatid disease (echinococcus granulosus) treated with a high-dose mebendazole regimen. Am J Trop Med Hyg. 1984;33:132-7.

5. Bekhti A, Pirotte J. Hepatotoxicity of mebendazole: relationship with serum concentrations of the drug. Gastroenterol Clin Biol. 1987;11:701-3.

6. Witassek F, Bircher. Chemotherapy of larval echinococcosis with mebendazole: microsomal liver function and cholestasis as determinants of plasma drug level. Eur J Clin Pharmacol. 1983;25:85-90.

7. Product Information. Vermox (mebendazole). Janssen Pharmaceuticals. 2002.

8. Cerner Multum, Inc. Australian Product Information.

9. Braithwaite PA, Thomas RJ, Thompson RC. Hydatid disease, the alveolar variety in australia: a case report with comment on the toxicity of mebendazole. Aust N Z J Surg. 1985;55:519-23.

10. Colle I, Naegels S, Hoorens A, Hautekeete M. Granulomatous hepatitis due to mebendazole. J Clin Gastroenterol. 1999;28:44-5.

11. Levin MH, Weinstein RA, Axelrod JL, Schantz PM. Severe, reversible neutropenia during high-dose mebendazole therapy for echinococcosis. JAMA. 1983;249:2929-31.

12. Fernandez-Banares F, Gonzalez-Huix F, Xiol X, et al. Marrow aplasia during high dose mebendazole treatment. Am J Trop Med Hyg. 1986;35:350-1.

13. Murray-Lyon IM, Reynolds KW. Complication of mebendazole treatment for hydatid disease. Br Med J. 1979;2:1111-2.

Further information

Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.

Some side effects may not be reported. You may report them to the FDA.

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