Marketed in 36 countries across Europe, Asia, and the Americas, Vermox is a globally distributed brand of mebendazole, classified as an anthelmintic. For travellers and expatriates, it is one of the more recognisable brand names attached to this molecule, encountered everywhere from community pharmacies in Western Europe to clinics in Southeast Asia.
Vermox is prescribed for the treatment of a range of parasitic worm infections, including ascariasis caused by Ascaris lumbricoides, enterobiasis (commonly known as pinworm or threadworm infection), hookworm infections involving Ancylostoma and Necator species, trichinosis, strongyloidiasis, and cysticercosis. The structured indication block further down this page lists the full set of registered uses recognised by the national regulators in the markets where Vermox is sold.
Because the brand has such a broad footprint, travellers frequently encounter it abroad — sometimes labelled as Vermox, sometimes as a different mebendazole-containing product. Markets where the brand is registered include Canada, Germany, Indonesia, Iceland, and Hungary, but packaging, labelling language, and the rules around prescription versus over-the-counter status vary considerably between regulatory regimes. A pharmacist in the destination country can confirm whether a locally available mebendazole product corresponds to what a patient knows from home.
Other medications in the anthelmintic class are sold in many of the same markets under different active ingredients and brand names, and the choice between them depends on which parasite is involved and on patient-specific factors. Identifying a parasitic infection and selecting the right treatment is a clinical task — anyone considering Vermox, already taking it, or trying to find a local equivalent while abroad should bring that decision to a healthcare provider.
In patients treated at dosages substantially higher than recommended or for prolonged periods of time, the following adverse reactions have been reported rarely: alopecia, reversible liver function disturbances, hepatitis, agranulocytosis, neutropenia and glomerulonephritis. With the exception of agranulocytosis and glomerulonephritis, these also have been reported in patients who were treated with mebendazole at standard dosages.
Signs and symptoms
In the event of accidental overdosage, abdominal cramps, nausea, vomiting and diarrhoea may occur.
Treatment
There is no specific antidote. Activated charcoal may be given if considered appropriate.
3 years.
Not applicable.
Microcrystalline cellulose
Sodium starch glycolate
Talc
Maize starch
Sodium saccharin
Magnesium stearate
Cottonseed oil hydrogenated
Orange flavour
Colloidal anhydrous silica
Sodium lauril sulfate
Sunset yellow (E110)
Purified water*
2-propanol*
* Not present in the final product.
No relevant information additional to that contained elsewhere in the Summary of Product Characteristics.
Pharmacotherapeutic group: anthelmintic for oral administration, benzimidazole derivatives; ATC code: P02CA01.
In vitro and in vivo work suggests that mebendazole blocks the uptake of glucose by adult and larval forms of helminths, in a selective and irreversible manner. Inhibition of glucose uptake appears to lead to endogenous depletion of glycogen stores within the helminth. Lack of glycogen leads to decreased formation of ATP and ultrastructural changes in the cells.
There is no evidence that Vermox is effective in the treatment of cysticercosis.
Absorption
Following oral administration, < 10% of the dose reaches the systemic circulation, due to incomplete absorption and to extensive pre-systemic metabolism (first-pass effect). Maximum plasma concentrations are generally seen 2 to 4 hours after administration. Dosing with a high fat meal leads to a modest increase in the bioavailability of mebendazole.
Distribution
The plasma protein binding of mebendazole is 90 to 95%. The volume of distribution is 1 to 2 L/kg, indicating that mebendazole penetrates areas outside the vascular space. This is supported by data in patients on chronic mebendazole therapy (e.g., 40 mg/kg/day for 3-21 months) that show drug levels in tissue.
Metabolism
Orally administered mebendazole is extensively metabolised primarily by the liver. Plasma concentrations of its major metabolites (amino and hydroxylated amino forms of mebendazole) are substantially higher than those of mebendazole. Impaired hepatic function, impaired metabolism, or impaired biliary elimination may lead to higher plasma levels of mebendazole.
Elimination
Mebendazole, the conjugated forms of mebendazole, and its metabolites likely undergo some degree of enterohepatic recirculation and are excreted in the urine and bile. The apparent elimination half-life after an oral dose ranges from 3 to 6 hours in most patients.
Steady-state pharmacokinetics
During chronic dosing (e.g., 40 mg/kg/day for 3-21 months), plasma concentrations of mebendazole and its major metabolites increase, resulting in approximately 3-fold higher exposure at steady-state compared to single dosing.
19 November 2014
Janssen-Cilag Ltd
50-100 Holmers Farm Way
High Wycombe
Buckinghamshire
HP12 4EG
UK
This medicinal product does not require any special storage conditions..
Blister strips of PVC genotherm glass clear aluminium foil coated on the inside with a heat seal lacquer.
Pack sizes: 1 and 6 tablet packs.
Not all pack sizes may be marketed.
PL 00242/0011
No special requirements.
Date of First Authorisation: 9 April 1975
Date of Renewal of Authorisation: 30 September 2003
Vermox is prescribed for a range of parasitic worm infections, including ascariasis, enterobiasis (pinworm), hookworm infections caused by Ancylostoma and Necator species, trichinosis, strongyloidiasis, and cysticercosis. The active ingredient belongs to the anthelmintic class, which acts on intestinal and tissue-dwelling parasites. The structured indication section below this introduction details each registered use in the markets where Vermox is sold.
Vermox contains mebendazole, an anthelmintic agent. Mebendazole is the same molecule whether it is sold under the Vermox brand or under another commercial name — internationally, the same active ingredient circulates under multiple brand names, particularly in markets where multiple manufacturers produce mebendazole-containing products in parallel for the treatment of parasitic infections.
Vermox is registered in 36 countries, spanning Europe, parts of Asia, and North America. Examples include Canada, Germany, Indonesia, Greece, Iran, Hungary, and Hong Kong. If your country is not on this list, a local pharmacist can usually confirm whether mebendazole is available in that market under a different brand name or as a generic product.
Mebendazole is sold under several brand names internationally, particularly in markets where the original patent has long expired and multiple manufacturers produce mebendazole-containing products. Other medications in the broader anthelmintic class also exist, although they are not interchangeable — different molecules target different parasites. To identify a local mebendazole product, search the active ingredient on Pill2Trip or ask a pharmacist in your country.
Prescription status for Vermox varies by country: in some markets mebendazole is available over the counter for common indications such as pinworm, while in others it requires a prescription, particularly for tissue-dwelling parasites. Identifying the parasite involved and confirming that mebendazole is the appropriate treatment is a clinical decision, and travellers crossing between regulatory regimes should consult a healthcare provider rather than relying on familiarity with the brand.
