Patient Medication Information: uses, side effects, how to take - Vermox
What is Vermox used for?
Vermox is used to treat infestations of one or several of the following parasitic worms:
- pinworm;
- roundworm;
- whipworm;
- hookworm;
- threadworm;
- large tapeworm.
How does Vermox work?
Vermox stops parasitic worms from using sugar to live. This kills the worms.
What are the ingredients in Vermox?
Medicinal ingredient is: Mebendazole
Non-medicinal ingredients are: Colloidal anhydrous silica, cottonseed oil hydrogenated, magnesium stearate, maize starch, microcrystalline cellulose, orange flavour, orange yellow S (E110), saccharin sodium, sodium lauryl sulphate, sodium starch glycolate and talc.
Vermox comes in the following dosage forms:
Tablets, 100 mg
Do not use Vermox if:
- you are allergic to mebendazole
- you are allergic to any of the non-medicinal ingredients in Vermox
Vermox should not be given to children under the age of 1 years.
To help avoid side effects and ensure proper use, talk to your healthcare professional before you take Vermox. Talk about any health conditions or problems you may have, including if you:
- have problems with your gut such as the conditions Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis
are pregnant, think you may be pregnant or are planning to become pregnant
- are breast-feeding or are planning to breastfeed
- are taking cimetidine, a medicine used to treat heartburn and other conditions that cause too much stomach acid
- are taking metronidazole, an antibiotic medicine used to treat various infections
Tell your healthcare professional about all the medicines you take, including any drugs, vitamins, minerals, natural supplements or alternative medicines.
The following may interact with Vermox:
- Cimetidine, a medicine used to treat heartburn and other conditions that cause too much stomach acid. Your healthcare professional may need to change how much Vermox you take
- Metronidazole, an antibiotic medicine used to treat various infections. Vermox and metronidazole should not be taken together.
How to take Vermox:
- Always take Vermox exactly as your healthcare professional tells you to.
- Swallow tablets whole with water. Tablets may also be chewed.
- Tablets can be crushed before giving to children 1 to 6 years old who have trouble swallowing tablets.
You can take Vermox with or without food.
- The amount of Vermox you take will depend on the type of worm that you are infested with.
- Check with your healthcare professional if you are not sure how to take Vermox.
Usual dose (Adults and Children over 2 years of age):
Infestation with pinworm: Take 1 tablet as a single dose. After 2 and 4 weeks, take 1 tablet again. This is necessary to completely get rid of the infestation.
Infestation with roundworm, whipworm, hookworm, threadworm, large tapeworms and with several kinds of worms: Take 1 tablet two times a day (in the morning and in the evening) for 3 days in a row.
Overdose:
If you have taken too much Vermox you might get stomach cramps, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea.
| If you think you, or a person you are caring for, have taken too much Vermox, contact a healthcare professional, hospital emergency department, or regional poison control centre immediately, even if there are no symptoms. |
|---|
What are possible side effects from using Vermox?
These are not all the possible side effects you may have when taking Vermox. If you experience any side effects not listed here, tell your healthcare professional.
Side effects may include:
- dizziness
- stomach aches and pains, gas, abdominal pain, diarrhea, nausea and vomiting
- skin rash
- hives
- hair loss, which in some cases may be permanent
- drowsiness
- itching
- headache
| Serious side effects and what to do about them | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Symptom / effect | Talk to your healthcare professional | Stop taking drug and get immediate medical help | |
| Only if severe | In all cases | ||
| VERY RARE | |||
| Liver Problems: upper abdominal pain, nausea or loss of appetite, extreme tiredness, fever, dark urine, skin and the white part of eyes to turn yellow | ✓ | ||
| Neutropenia (decrease in white blood cells): infections, fatigue, fever, aches, pains and flu-like symptoms, sore throat, swollen lymph nodes, ulcers in mouth or around anus | ✓ | ||
| Agranulocytosis (severe decrease in white blood cells): fever, tiredness, faster breathing, dizziness, increased heart rate, sore throat | ✓ | ||
| Glomerulonephritis (kidney disease): swelling, blood in the urine, urinating less than usual, urinating at night, lack of appetite, nausea, vomiting, tiredness | ✓ | ||
| Allergic reaction: swollen mouth, throat, extremities, difficulty breathing, shortness of breath, skin rash, itching, hives, flushing or fainting | ✓ | ||
| Convulsions (seizures): uncontrollable jerking movements of the arms and legs, loss of consciousness, uncontrollable shaking | ✓ | ||
| Toxic epidermal necrolysis (severe skin reaction): widespread skin pain, spreading rash, blisters and large areas of peeling skin | ✓ | ||
| Stevens-Johnson syndrome (severe skin rash): redness, blistering and/or | ✓ | ||
peeling of the skin and/or inside of the lips, eyes, mouth, nasal passages or genitals, accompanied by fever, chills, headache, cough, body aches or swollen glands | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Angioedema (swelling of tissues under the skin): swollen face, eyes, lips, tongue, throat or airway that may make it harder to breathe and talk, swollen hands or feet, dizziness, nausea, vomiting | ✓ | ||
| UNKNOWN FREQUENCY | |||
| Abnormal liver test results: extreme tiredness, dark urine, abdominal pain | ✓ | ||
| Abnormal kidney function: extreme tiredness, swelling, changes in urination, skin and the white part of eyes to turn yellow | ✓ | ||
| Hematuria (blood in urine): red or cola-colored urine, passing blood clots in urine, frequent or painful urination | ✓ | ||
| Cylindruria (casts in urine): urine appears milky white, pain while urinating, pain in the loin region, weight loss | ✓ | ||
This is not a complete list of side effects. For any unexpected effects while taking Vermox, contact your healthcare professional.
Reporting Side Effects
You can report any suspected side effects associated with the use of health products to Health Canada by:
NOTE: Contact your health professional if you need information about how to manage your side effects. The Canada Vigilance Program does not provide medical advice. |
Storage:
Store at room temperature (15 – 30°C). Protect from light.
Keep out of the sight and reach of children.
If you want more information about Vermox:
- Talk to your healthcare professional
- Find the full product monograph that is prepared for healthcare professionals and includes this Patient Medication Information by visiting the Health Canada website: https://www.canada.ca/en/health-canada/services/drugs-health-products/drug-products/drug-product-database.html; the manufacturer’s website https://www.janssen.com/canada/, or by calling 1-800-567-3331 or 1-800-387-8781.
Toronto, Ontario M3C 1L9