Mebendazole is a prescription anthelmintic (anti-worm) medication. Its prescribing information covers certain intestinal worm infections: pinworm, roundworm, whipworm, and hookworm. Mebendazole has been in clinical use since the 1970s, and a licensed provider decides whether it is appropriate for you.

Labeled uses

The prescribing information for the brand-name mebendazole chewable tablet covers infections caused by:

• Pinworm (Enterobius vermicularis)
• Roundworm (Ascaris lumbricoides); see roundworm in humans
• Whipworm (Trichuris trichiura); see whipworm in humans
• Hookworm (Ancylostoma duodenale and Necator americanus); see hookworm in humans

A licensed provider confirms which, if any, of these apply to you before prescribing.

How Mebendazole works

Mebendazole interferes with the parasite's microtubules, structures the worm needs to absorb glucose. It acts mainly within the intestine, and only a small amount is absorbed into the rest of the body. The prescribing information and MedlinePlus describe how the medicine acts, its side effects and its precautions in more detail. For a plain-language summary, see mebendazole side effects.

What to expect

Timeline

Your provider will explain what to expect for your specific infection type, including whether any follow-up is needed.

Household considerations

Because pinworm infections spread easily between household members, your provider may discuss whether other members of your household should also be evaluated. If you are an adult who caught pinworm from a child or partner, see pinworm treatment for adults.

Formulation and cost

Through Get It Prescribed, mebendazole is supplied as a 222mg capsule priced at $3.50 per capsule. The same one-time $50 provider consultation fee that applies to ivermectin also covers a mebendazole prescription, so there is no separate visit charge if your provider determines it is the right option.

| Detail | Mebendazole | | --- | --- | | Formulation | 222mg capsule | | Price | $3.50 per capsule | | Consultation fee | $50 one-time (covers ivermectin and mebendazole) | | Prescription required | Yes |

Safety and monitoring

• Your provider reviews your medical history, current medications, and allergies before prescribing.
• If you have liver disease or are pregnant or breastfeeding, tell your provider, as this may affect whether mebendazole is appropriate.
• Dosing schedules are determined by your prescriber based on the specific infection.
• Mild digestive symptoms are the most commonly reported effects; anything more significant should be reported to your provider promptly.
• Mebendazole is available in all 50 US states and the District of Columbia — see state availability.

To understand how the consultation and prescribing process works from start to finish, visit how it works, or compare mebendazole with ivermectin if you're deciding between the two. If your question is whether it is a human medicine at all, see is mebendazole a human medicine. If you are wondering whether it covers every kind of parasite, see which parasites mebendazole's labeling covers. You can also review pricing in advance so there are no surprises about total cost.

Related questions

How long does mebendazole treatment take?

Treatment length depends on the type of parasite being treated and is set by your prescribing provider, who will give you a schedule tailored to your diagnosis. We do not publish doses or schedules on this site.

Can children take mebendazole?

Get It Prescribed's telehealth service is intended for adult patients. If a child in your household may need treatment, your provider can advise on appropriate next steps, which may include an in-person pediatric evaluation.

Will I need a follow-up test after treatment?

Your provider decides whether any follow-up testing is needed. This is discussed on a case-by-case basis during your consultation.

Is mebendazole available without a prescription?

No. Mebendazole is a prescription-only medication in the United States. A licensed provider must evaluate you before it can be prescribed and dispensed. If you are weighing it against a pharmacy-shelf option for pinworm, see pinworm medicine: OTC or prescription?

When you are ready to start, you can get ivermectin prescribed online — an independent licensed provider reviews every request and prescribes only when it is clinically appropriate. Prescriptions are not guaranteed.

Sources

• DailyMed: mebendazole chewable tablet prescribing information — official prescribing information.
• MedlinePlus: Mebendazole — consumer-facing drug information from the National Library of Medicine.
• CDC: Pinworm infection — background on a common labeled indication.
• CDC: Hookworm infection — background on another labeled indication.