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Drugs and Medicinal Substances

Mebendazole

Antiparasitic Agents

Mebendazole is a medication of the benzimidazole family used to treat a number of parasitic worm infestations, including ascariasis, pinworm infection, hookworm infections, guinea worm infections and hydatid disease, taken orally. It works by binding to the colchicine binding site of beta-tubulin in the parasite's intestinal cells, blocking the polymerization of tubulin into microtubules and gradually immobilizing and killing the worm. The Belgian pharmaceutical company Janssen Pharmaceutica developed mebendazole, which entered medical use in 1971; it is now available as a generic medication and appears on the World Health Organization's List of Essential Medicines.

Facts
Drug Class
Anthelmintic 5
Mechanism of Action
Inhibits microtubule formation by binding the colchicine binding site of beta-tubulin, blocking polymerization of tubulin dimers in the intestinal cells of parasites 1
Approved Use
Treatment of a number of parasitic worm infestations 1
First Approved / Isolated Year
1971 1
Significant Risk
In rare cases a dangerously low white blood cell count (risk of agranulocytosis), low platelet count and hair loss 1
Classification
Approval Status
Approved 1
ATC ClassSourced to the subject's own account
P: Antiparasitic Products, Insecticides and Repellents 2
Route of Administration
Oral 3
WHO Essential MedicineSourced to the subject's own account
Core List 4
Sources
1. Mebendazole - Wikipedia
  • Article body, sentence beginning 'Mebendazole works by effectively inhibiting the formation of microtubules'
    via binding to the colchicine binding site of β-tubulin, thereby blocking polymerization of tubulin dimers in intestinal cells of parasites
  • Lead section, first sentence
    is a medication used to treat a number of parasitic worm infestations
  • Article body, sentence beginning 'Mebendazole came into use in 1971'
    Mebendazole came into use in 1971, after it was developed by Janssen Pharmaceutica in Belgium.
  • Article body, sentence beginning 'In rare cases, it has been associated with'
    In rare cases, it has been associated with a dangerously low white blood cell count, low platelet count, and hair loss, with a risk of agranulocytosis in rare cases.
  • https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mebendazole, lead section
    ent of giardiasis but is not a preferred agent. It is taken by mouth.
  • Regulatory approval status
View the Source
2. Anatomical Therapeutic Chemical Classification System (Wikipedia)
WikipediaFirst-level anatomical group codes, Code P
Quote, First-level anatomical group codes, Code P
Antiparasitic products, insecticides and repellents
View the Source
3. Wikipedia
Wikipedia contributors, Wikimedia Foundation
4. WHO Model List of Essential Medicines (Wikipedia)
WikipediaWHO Model List of Essential Medicines, Intestinal anthelminthics section
Quote, WHO Model List of Essential Medicines, Intestinal anthelminthics section
Mebendazole
View the Source
5. Mebendazole - Columbia Doctors Health Library
Drug information, opening description of the medication
Quote, Drug information, opening description of the medication
a class of medications called anthelmintics
View the Source
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