Vermox

• For worm infections of the gut
• Tablet or oral solution
• Also suitable for use in children

Vermox is an anthelmintic or anti-worm medication. It contains the active ingredient mebendazole. Mebendazole kills parasites – worms, worm eggs and larvae – in the body. Vermox is used to treat worm infections of the gut such as:

• Seatworm (Enterobius vermicularis).
• Roundworm (Ascaris lumbricoides).
• Whipworm (Trichuris trichiura).
• Hookworm (Ancylostoma duodenale, Necator americanus).
• Tapeworm (Taenia spp.).
• Threadworm (Strongyloides stercoralis).

Vermox is available as tablets or oral suspension. The suspension can be used by children who have difficulty swallowing the tablets.

Ask your doctor for advice before giving this medicine to children. There is little information on the efficacy and safety of Vermox in children aged 2 to 16 years. They only should use Vermox if there is no other alternative available.

Vermox tablets should be taken with some water. The oral solution comes with a measuring cup for measuring the proper amount. Shake the bottle before use.

Dosage

The dose will depend on which type of worm you have. Always use Vermox exactly as your doctor has told you or follow the instructions in the package leaflet. The general dosage guidelines are as follows:

For seatworms:

• Adults and children aged two and above:

One 5-mg tablet or one 5-ml measuring cup of suspension. All family members must be treated simultaneously and treatment must be repeated after two to four weeks (again, one 5-mg tablet or one 5-ml measuring cup of suspension for all family members). This is to stop you and your family infecting others or re-infecting yourselves, because the first round of medication kills all the worms but not the eggs.

For roundworms, whipworms, hookworms or mixed infections:

• Adults and children aged two and above:

One tablet or one 5-ml measuring cup (or spoonful) of suspension in the morning and evening for three consecutive days.

For tapeworms and threadworms:

• Adults and children aged 16 and above:

Two or three tablets or 10 to 15 ml of suspension (two or three spoonfuls) in the morning and evening for three consecutive days.

• Children aged 2 to 16 years:

One tablet or one 5-ml measuring cup (or spoonful) of suspension in the morning and evening for three consecutive days.

Alcohol/driving

This medicine does not interact with alcohol. Vermox is unlikely to affect your ability to drive or operate machinery.

If you use more/forget to use Vermox

If you take more Vermox than you were told to, consult your doctor or pharmacist.

If you forget to take a dose of Vermox, skip the missed dose. Do not take a double dose to make up for the forgotten one.

Vermox is not suitable for everyone. Do not use this medicine:

• If you are allergic to any of the other ingredients in this medicine (see section 'What Vermox contains').
• In children under 12 months of age.

When should this medicine be used with caution?

Special care should be taken with this medicine in children under the age of two. Since Vermox has come onto the market, convulsions (seizures) have been reported in rare cases, including in infants. This medicine has not been studied in children under the age of two. Vermox should only be given to children between 12 months and two years if the benefits outweigh the risks.

Pregnancy and breastfeeding

Consult a doctor before using Vermox if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.

Other medicines and Vermox

Tell your doctor if you are taking, have recently taken or might take any other medicines. This includes medicines obtained without a prescription and herbal medicines.

• In particular tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking cimetidine (for excess stomach acidity). The doctor will prescribe an adjusted dose.
• Taking Vermox and metronidazole (for certain bacterial infections) at the same time should be avoided. Ask your doctor for advice before taking this medicine.

Like all medicines, this medicine can cause side effects, although some people may not experience any. The side effects that are known to be associated with Vermox include:

Uncommon:

• Short bouts of stomach pain or diarrhoea (especially with severe worm infections). Continue to use this medication as directed.

Very rare:

• Allergic reaction to Vermox. Symptoms can include skin rash, itching, shortness of breath and sudden swelling of your face. Stop taking Vermox and tell your doctor straight away if you notice any of these symptoms.
• Severe skin irritation, blistering of your skin, mouth, eyes and genitals, accompanied by fever. These may be signs of a severe allergic reaction. Stop taking Vermox and tell your doctor straight away if you notice these symptoms.
• Fits (convulsions) in infants. Vermox should only be given to children under 12 months of age if your doctor has specifically prescribed it.
• Liver, blood or kidney problems with prolonged use and in doses that exceed the recommended dose (amounts that are much higher than what has been prescribed).

Consult a doctor if the side effects are severe or if you experience side effects that are not listed in the package leaflet.

The active substance is mebendazole. Each tablet contains 100 mg mebendazole.

Suspension for oral use:
The active substance is mebendazole. Each ml suspension contains 20 mg mebendazole.

Read the package leaflet before use. The official package leaflet of Vermox is available for download here.