It is an anthelmintic medicine that treats intestinal worm infections. It comes in two forms: a suspension 100 mg/5 ml and WORMSTOP® 100 tablets (100 mg). It is intended for adults and children older than 1 year and is registered in South Africa as Schedule 1 (S1) medicine, meaning you can buy it without a prescription for mild conditions, but you should still use it carefully and seek help if symptoms persist or worsen.

What it is and what it is used for

Mebendazole belongs to a group of medicines called anthelmintics, which get rid of worms living in the gut.

According to the source, WORMSTOP® is used to treat:

Threadworms (pinworms)
Other common intestinal worm infections, such as whipworm, roundworm, hookworm and tapeworm

How it works

Worms in the intestines need sugars to survive. Mebendazole prevents worms from using these nutrients by blocking the way they take up energy. As a result, the worms become weak and die. Your body then passes them out with normal bowel movements.

Who should NOT use this medicine

Do not use WORMSTOP® if any of the following apply:

You are allergic to mebendazole or any of the ingredients in WORMSTOP®.
Your child is under 1 year of age.
You are pregnant.
You are taking metronidazole (an antibiotic used for certain infections).

Important: The source also notes that WORMSTOP® should only be given to children under 1 year if a doctor has specifically prescribed it. For self-treatment, do not use it in this age group.

Warnings and precautions (Read before use)

Speak to your doctor or pharmacist before using WORMSTOP® if any of the following apply to you:

Liver concerns
- Current inflammation of the liver.
- Changes in liver enzymes (found on blood tests).
Kidney concerns
- Inflammation of the kidneys.
Blood concerns
- Low white blood cell count (shown on blood tests). This may increase your risk of infections.
Children with seizures
- If your child has a history of convulsions (seizures), discuss use with a doctor first. WORMSTOP® should not be used in under-1s unless specifically prescribed.

Driving and using machines

WORMSTOP® is not likely to affect your ability to drive or use machinery.

Allergy and severe skin reactions—know the signs

Warning: Stop the medicine and get urgent medical help if you develop swelling of the face or throat, hives, severe skin irritation, redness or blistering (including mouth, eyes, genitals), or fits (convulsions).

Pregnancy, planning pregnancy, and breastfeeding

Pregnancy: Do not use WORMSTOP® if you are pregnant.
Breastfeeding: Ask your doctor or pharmacist for advice before using WORMSTOP® while breastfeeding.

Interactions

Tell your healthcare provider about all medicines you are taking, including complementary or traditional remedies.

Do not take WORMSTOP® with:

Metronidazole (for certain infections).
Cimetidine (for excess stomach acid).

If you are taking any of these medicines, speak to your doctor or pharmacist for alternatives or timing advice.

How to take (Step-by-step)

Use WORMSTOP® exactly as directed in this guide or by your doctor, pharmacist, or nurse. If you are unsure, ask a healthcare professional.

General guidance

Age: For adults and children over 1 year.
Formulations:
- Tablets 100 mg: may be crushed and mixed with a little liquid if needed.
- Suspension 100 mg/5 ml: measure doses with a medicine measure (5 ml = 100 mg).

Standard dosing

Whipworm; hookworm; large roundworm; pinworm; Ternidens deminutus; infestations by Moniliformis moniliformis

Tablets: 100 mg (one tablet) twice daily (morning and evening) for 3 consecutive days.
Suspension: 5 ml (100 mg) twice daily (morning and evening) for 3 consecutive days.
Applies to adults, children, and infants over 1 year.

Tapeworm (Taenia spp.)

Tablets: 100 mg (one tablet) twice daily for 6 consecutive days.
Suspension: 5 ml (100 mg) twice daily for 6 consecutive days.
Applies to adults, children, and infants (per source dosing).

Threadworm (Strongyloides stercoralis)

Adults (tablets): 200 mg (two tablets) twice daily for 3 consecutive days.
Children (tablets): 100 mg (one tablet) twice daily for 3 consecutive days.
Adults (suspension): 10 ml (200 mg) twice daily for 3 consecutive days.
Children (suspension): 5 ml (100 mg) twice daily for 3 consecutive days.

If you take more than you should (overdose)

Seek immediate medical advice from your doctor or pharmacist. If unavailable, contact the nearest hospital or poison centre.

If you forget a dose

Do not take the missed dose.
Take your next dose at the usual time.
Do not take a double dose to make up for a missed one.

If you stop taking WORMSTOP®

Do not stop early without consulting your doctor, especially if you were advised to complete a multi-day course.

Practical tips for adherence

Tablets can be crushed and given with a little liquid to make swallowing easier.
Always use a proper medicine measure (not a kitchen spoon) for the suspension.
Do not share WORMSTOP® with others.

Food instructions

Not specified in the source.

Dosing table

Condition (as per source)	Age group	Form	Single dose	Frequency	Duration
Whipworm; hookworm; large roundworm; pinworm; Ternidens deminutus; infestations by Moniliformis moniliformis	Adults & children >1 year	Tablets	100 mg (1 tablet)	Twice daily (morning & evening)	3 days
Same as above	Adults & children >1 year	Suspension	5 ml (100 mg)	Twice daily (morning & evening)	3 days
Tapeworm (Taenia spp.)	Adults & children (per source)	Tablets	100 mg (1 tablet)	Twice daily	6 days
Tapeworm (Taenia spp.)	Adults & children (per source)	Suspension	5 ml (100 mg)	Twice daily	6 days
Threadworm (Strongyloides stercoralis)	Adults	Tablets	200 mg (2 tablets)	Twice daily	3 days
Threadworm (Strongyloides stercoralis)	Children	Tablets	100 mg (1 tablet)	Twice daily	3 days
Threadworm (Strongyloides stercoralis)	Adults	Suspension	10 ml (200 mg)	Twice daily	3 days
Threadworm (Strongyloides stercoralis)	Children	Suspension	5 ml (100 mg)	Twice daily	3 days

Note: Use only for adults and children over 1 year unless a doctor has specifically prescribed otherwise.

Possible side effects

Like all medicines, WORMSTOP® can cause side effects, although not everybody gets them. The source lists the following:

Serious—seek urgent help and stop the medicine

Allergic reactions: sudden swelling of the face or throat, hives (nettle rash), severe skin irritation/redness/blistering.
Severe skin reactions: blistering of the skin, mouth, eyes, genitals.
Fits (convulsions).
Heart symptoms: palpitations or increased heart rate.

What to do: Stop taking WORMSTOP® and seek medical help immediately or go to your nearest hospital casualty department.

Common

Stomach pain.

Less common

Stomach discomfort, diarrhoea, wind, nausea or vomiting.
Rash.
Liver inflammation; changes in liver enzymes (found on blood tests).
Kidney inflammation.
Reduced white blood cell count (may make infections more likely).
Unusual hair loss.
Dizziness.

What to do: If these effects are troublesome, persistent, or worry you, speak to your doctor or pharmacist.

Storage and disposal

Keep out of the reach of children.
Store at or below 25 °C.
Do not use after the expiry date shown on the label/carton/blister (the date refers to the last day of that month).
Tablets: keep blisters in the outer carton to protect from light.
Do not throw away medicines in household waste or wastewater. Ask your pharmacist how to dispose of medicines you no longer use to help protect the environment.

What the medicine contains

Active substance: mebendazole.

WORMSTOP® SUSPENSION (100 mg/5 ml)

Each 5 ml contains mebendazole 100 mg.
Other ingredients: citric acid monohydrate; methyl hydroxybenzoate; propylene glycol; propyl hydroxybenzoate; polyoxyl 40 hydrogenated castor oil; mixed fruit flavour (BUS29900S); polysorbate 80; simethicone; sodium benzoate; sodium citrate; sorbitol solution 70% (2 g per 5 ml); xanthan gum.
Preservatives (concentrations from source): methylparaben 0,18% m/v; propylparaben 0,02% m/v; sodium benzoate 0,2% m/v.

WORMSTOP® 100 TABLETS (100 mg)

Each tablet contains mebendazole 100 mg.
Other ingredients: calcium hydrogen phosphate; gelatin; maize starch; magnesium stearate; orange DC116 flavour; purified talc; sodium lauryl sulphate; sodium saccharin; sunset yellow (colour index no. 15985); vanillin.
Sugar information: sugar-free; artificially sweetened (sodium saccharin 2 mg/tablet).

Sugar note for users

The suspension contains sorbitol, which may cause gastrointestinal discomfort and has a mild laxative effect in some people.

Pack information and appearance

Appearance

Suspension: white to off-white, opaque, viscous liquid with a characteristic fruit smell.
Tablets: light orange, orange-flavoured, smooth, round, flat, uncoated tablets with bevelled edges on both sides.

Pack sizes

WORMSTOP® SUSPENSION: 30 ml in amber glass bottles.
WORMSTOP® 100 TABLETS: blister packs of 6, 10 × 6, 24 × 6, and 40 × 6 tablets.

Holder of certificate of registration: Ranbaxy Pharmaceuticals (Pty) Ltd.

Practical FAQs

Can I use WORMSTOP® if I am pregnant?
No. Do not use WORMSTOP® during pregnancy. Speak to your doctor for advice.

Can I take WORMSTOP® while breastfeeding?
Ask your doctor or pharmacist before use.

Can my child under 1 year take WORMSTOP®?
For self-treatment, no. The source states it should only be given to children under 1 year if a doctor has specifically prescribed it.

Can I use WORMSTOP® with my current medicines?
Do not use it with metronidazole or cimetidine. Tell your healthcare provider about all other medicines you take, including complementary or traditional medicines.

Does WORMSTOP® affect driving or using machines?
It is not likely to affect your ability to drive or use tools or machines.

Do the tablets contain sugar?
No. The tablets are sugar-free and artificially sweetened (sodium saccharin). The suspension contains sorbitol 2 g per 5 ml.

Can the tablets be crushed?
Yes. The tablets may be crushed and given with a little liquid.

What should I do if I miss a dose?
Do not take the missed dose. Take the next dose at the usual time. Do not double up.

How long should I take WORMSTOP®?
The course depends on the worm being treated—3 days for many common worms, 6 days for tapeworm, and 3 days for strongyloides (with different adult/child doses). See the Dosing table above.

Who should I contact if I experience side effects?
Speak to your doctor, pharmacist, or nurse. You can also report side effects to SAHPRA using its Adverse Drug Reaction Reporting Form on the SAHPRA website.

Militian Inessa Mesropovna

Education:
Sochi Medical College 2014 – 2017

Work experience:
2017 – to date Sochi Pharmacy – Pharmacist