The broad-spectrum of activity and safety of mebendazole remain, after 5 years of clinical experience, unique features of this anthelmintic. Through microtubular destruction, mebendazole kills helminths by inhibiting glucose uptake into susceptible parasites. The drug's poor absorption does not appear to affect clinical efficacy except, perhaps, in the treatment of systemic helminth infections. Mebendazole is generally considered the drug of choice for trichuriasis and has therapeutic advantages over other anthelmintics in the treatment of enterobiasis and hookworm infections. Although mebendazole is an effective agent against ascariasis, there are preferable alternatives. Among its nonapproved uses, mebendazole shows great promise in the treatment of capillariasis and hydatid disease. Further investigation is needed to establish its role in the treatment of taeniasis, Hymenolepsis nana, strongyloidiasis, trichinosis, and Dipetalonema perstans. Undoubtedly, mebendazole will find its greatest value in the treatment of patients with multiple helminth infections.
PIP: This paper focuses on recent developments in the areas of mode of action and clinical efficacy of mebendazole use since its introduction in 1974. Mebendazole blocks glucose uptake by adult intestinal-dwelling nematodes and cestodes and their tissue-dwelling larvae. The drug's poor absorption does not appear to affect clinical efficacy except in the treatment of systemic helminth infections. Mebendazole has been found to be ovicidal for the eggs of roundworm, hookworm, and whipworm with the disadvantages of cost and long duration of therapy; it is also considered the best drug for the treatment of trichuriasis. Among its nonapproved uses, it shows promise in the treatment of capillariasis and hydatid disease. Further investigation is needed to establish its role in the treatment of taeniasis, Hymenolepsis nana, Strongyloidiasis, Trichinosis, and Dipetalonema perstans. Side effects such as diarrhea, abdominal pain, headache, and dizziness have been reported on rare occasions.