Mebendazole comes as a banana flavour liquid and orange flavour tablets. Always follow the instructions that come with your medicine.
Dosage
A doctor or pharmacist will tell you how much mebendazole to take, depending on the type of worms you have.
If you have threadworms (also called pinworms) you'll usually take a single dose. If you live with anyone else, they will need to be treated at the same time because threadworms can spread easily.
A doctor or pharmacist may suggest you repeat the dose after 2 weeks to stop you from getting threadworms again. This is because the medicine kills the worms but not their eggs.
For other worms such as whipworm, roundworm and hookworm, follow your doctor's instructions on how to take mebendazole. Usually you need to take a dose 2 times a day for 3 days.
How to take it
Chew the tablet or swallow it whole with a drink of water, juice or milk. You can take it with or without food.
If you're taking the liquid, it comes with a plastic spoon to measure the dose. If you do not have a spoon, ask your pharmacist for one. Do not use a kitchen teaspoon as it will not measure the right amount.
If you forget to take it
If you're taking mebendazole 2 times a day and you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember, if it's within 4 hours of when the dose was due. If you remember more than 4 hours after your dose was due, skip the missed dose and just take your next dose at the usual time.
Do not take 2 doses to make up for a forgotten one.
If you take too much
Taking an extra dose of mebendazole is unlikely to harm you.
However, you may get side effects such as:
- stomach cramps
- feeling or being sick (nausea or vomiting)
- diarrhoea
Urgent advice: Contact 111 for advice now if:
- your child is under 2 years old and takes an extra dose of mebendazole
- you've taken an extra dose of mebendazole and have side effects
- you've taken more than 1 extra dose
Go to 111.nhs.uk or call 111. Call 111 if you're asking about a child under the age of 5 years.
If you need to go to A&E, take the mebendazole packet or leaflet inside it and any remaining medicine with you.