Last update Jan. 8, 2022

Mebendazole

Compatible

Safe product and/or breastfeeding is the best option.

Broad spectrum anthelmintic. Indicated in the treatment of intestinal infestations by pinworms, ascaris and other nematodes. Oral administration.

Their pharmacokinetic data (high volume of distribution and high percentage of plasma protein binding) probably explain the null or negligible passage to breast milk observed. (Kurzel 1994, Stoukides 1994)

No side effects in breastfed infants from treated mothers have been found.(Kuemmerle 2020, Karra 2016, Schmid 2012)

Based on a low oral bioavailability, concentration in the infant's plasma should be nil or low, except in premature and newborn infants with a increased intestinal absorption capacity.

Reportedly, one case of inhibition of mother's milk production was found (Rao 1983) that was not confirmed in later reports. (Karra 2016, Kurzel 1994, Stoukides 1994)

Expert authors and the WHO consider its use during breastfeeding to be probably safe. (Hale, LactMed, Briggs 2015, Schaefer 2015) 

WHO's Eleventh Model List of Essential Drugs 2002: Compatible with breastfeeding. (WHO 2002)

Alternatives

  • Albendazole (Safe product and/or breastfeeding is the best option.)
  • Pyrantel Embonate (Safe product and/or breastfeeding is the best option.)

Suggestions made at e-lactancia are done by APILAM team of health professionals, and are based on updated scientific publications. It is not intended to replace the relationship you have with your doctor but to compound it. The pharmaceutical industry contraindicates breastfeeding, mistakenly and without scientific reasons, in most of the drug data sheets.

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Other names

Mebendazole in other languages or writings:

Group

Mebendazole belongs to this group or family:

Tradenames

Main tradenames from several countries containing Mebendazole in its composition:

List of 106 tradenames

Pharmacokinetics

Variable Value Unit
Oral Bioavail. 5 - 10 %
Molecular weight 295 daltons
Protein Binding 90 - 95 %
VD 1 - 2 l/Kg
pKa 8.44 -
Tmax 2 - 4 hours
T½ 2.5 - 5.5 hours
Theoretical Dose 0.001 mg/Kg/d
Relative Dose 0.06 %

References

  1. LactMed. Drugs and Lactation Database (LactMed). Internet. Bethesda (MD): National Library of Medicine (US); 2006-. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK501922/ 2006 - Consulted on April 16, 2024 Full text (link to original source)
  2. Hale TW. Medications & Mothers' Milk. 1991- . Springer Publishing Company. Available from https://www.halesmeds.com Consulted on April 10, 2024 Full text (link to original source)
  3. Kuemmerle A, Schmid C, Kande V, Mutombo W, Ilunga M, Lumpungu I, Mutanda S, Nganzobo P, Ngolo D, Kisala M, Valverde Mordt O. Prescription of concomitant medications in patients treated with Nifurtimox Eflornithine Combination Therapy (NECT) for T.b. gambiense second stage sleeping sickness in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. PLoS Negl Trop Dis. 2020 Jan 27;14(1):e0008028. Abstract Full text (link to original source)
  4. Karra N, Cohen R, Berlin M, Dinavitser N, Koren G, Berkovitch M. Safety of Mebendazole Use During Lactation: A Case Series Report. Drugs R D. 2016 Sep;16(3):251-254. Abstract
  5. Schaefer C, Peters P, Miller RK. Drugs During Pregnancy and Lactation. Treatment options and risk assessment. Elsevier, Third Edition. 2015
  6. Briggs GG, Freeman RK, Towers CV, Forinash AB. Drugs in Pregnancy and Lactation: A Reference Guide to Fetal and Neonatal Risk. Wolters Kluwer Health. Tenth edition (acces on line) 2015
  7. Valeant Pharmaceuticals New Zealand Ltd. Mebendazole. Drug Summary 2014 Full text (in our servers)
  8. Schmid C, Kuemmerle A, Blum J, Ghabri S, Kande V, Mutombo W, Ilunga M, Lumpungu I, Mutanda S, Nganzobo P, Tete D, Mubwa N, Kisala M, Blesson S, Mordt OV. In-hospital safety in field conditions of nifurtimox eflornithine combination therapy (NECT) for T. b. gambiense sleeping sickness. PLoS Negl Trop Dis. 2012 Abstract Full text (link to original source)
  9. MSyC-AgEspMed. Mebendazol. Ficha técnica 2011 Full text (in our servers)
  10. Pérez JL, Carranza C, Mateos F. Antiparasitarios. Revisión de los fármacos útiles en el tratamiento de parasitosis clásicas y emergentes. \ [Antiparasitic drugs. Review of the useful drugs in the treatment of classic and emergent parasitic diseases]. Rev Esp Quimioter. 2009 Jun;22(2):93-105. Review. Spanish. Abstract Full text (link to original source) Full text (in our servers)
  11. Porto I. Antiparasitic drugs and lactation: focus on anthelmintics, scabicides, and pediculicides. J Hum Lact. 2003 Abstract
  12. WHO / UNICEF. BREASTFEEDING AND MATERNAL MEDICATION Recommendations for Drugs in the Eleventh WHO Model List of Essential Drugs. Department of Child and Adolescent Health and Development (WHO/UNICEF) 2002 Abstract Full text (link to original source) Full text (in our servers)
  13. Stoukides C. Can a mother safely breastfeed while on mebendazole (Vermox)? J Hum Lact. 1994 Abstract
  14. Kurzel RB, Toot PJ, Lambert LV, Mihelcic AS. Mebendazole and postpartum lactation. N Z Med J. 1994 Abstract
  15. Rao TS. Does mebendazole inhibit lactation? N Z Med J. 1983 Abstract

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