Vermox Description

Vermox or generic Mebendazole is a prescription strength medication for treating roundworm infections in adults and children aged two and older. This includes tapeworms, hookworms, whipworms, thread worms, and pinworms. Once diagnosed with roundworms, your doctor may recommend that the entire family be treated as worms can be contagious and can pass from person to person through contact with contaminated surfaces or direct contact with bed sheets, towels, etc. Vermox is also available as chewable pills to make dosing children 2 years and older much easier.

How Vermox Kills and Eliminates the Parasites

When taken as directed, Vermox or generic Mebendazole will inhibit the parasites’ ability to absorb food. This includes sugar (glucose) and undigested food from the host or blood from the walls of your small intestine. As the worms die, they will be carried out of your body in your stool. If reinfestation occurs, you will have to take another round of Vermox. The generic alternative is not manufactured by the company that makes the brand product.

What Are Roundworms and How Do We Become Infected?

Roundworms are a parasite, meaning one organism that requires another organism (host) in order to thrive. Once in your body, they feed and multiply and rob the host of their nutrients. This can cause abdominal pain, nausea or diarrhea, and weight loss, among other signs. The most telling sign is visual detection in your stool.

Common ways that roundworm infections occur are from undercooked meat, through an infected mosquito bite, or consuming food grown in contaminated soil and not washed thoroughly. Children are not known for proper hygiene and ingest the larvae when eating or putting their hands in their mouths without washing them first. A stool, urine, or blood test may be performed before you start taking Vermox to confirm you have any type of roundworms in your body. Some worms can be passed on from your pets as well.

Before You Take Vermox

Ask your doctor if Vermox is safe to take during a pregnancy, if you are trying to conceive, or you are breast feeding. Vermox should not be used with Flagyl (Metronidazole) due to the increased risk of rare but serious life threatening skin conditions. Advise your doctor of all Rx drugs and over the counter medications you currently take or use to avoid any possible serious interaction with Vermox.

Proper Use of Vermox

Ask your veterinarian about treating your pets and do not try to self-medicate them with Vermox. You should treat the whole family and close contacts at the same time! Do not treat any child less than 1 year of age without doctor recommendation.

Possible Side Effects of Vermox

• Fever
• Skin rash/itching
• Diarrhea
• Sore throat and Fever
• Abdominal pain

Drugs Similar to Vermox

• Albenza
• Biltricide
• Humatin