ANTI-INFECTIVES Anthelmintics (worm medicine) Benzimidazoles

AMH 2022 section 5.8.1

Active ingredients (generic names)

ALBENDAZOLE (al-ben-da-zole)

Capsules and tablets

Other benzimidazoles

Not included in this monograph — see AMH for information:

  • Mebendazole
What it is used for
How it works
  • Stops worms from growing
Side effects
  • Usually none with short treatment

Nausea and vomiting

Headache

Warnings

Pregnant

Tell the patient
  • May need to be treated again after 1 week
  • Keep fingernails short if scratching

Take on empty stomach
(hookworm, pinworm, whipworm, strongyloides)

Wash hands

Treat everyone living in house

Check

Blood test

If using for more than 6 weeks — liver function tests (LFT), FBC