MEBENDAZOLE, AN EFFECTIVE BROAD-SPECTRUM ANTHELMINTIC

Abstract

Mebendazole a drug formulated to treat intestinal helminthiasis was administered to 108 pediatric and adult Costa Ricans who suffered from single or mixed infections with trichurids ascarids and hookworms. 61 males and 47 females were in the age range from 2-24 years with 79 children 31 teenagers and the remainder adults. Mebendazole (methyl-5-benziylbenzamidizole-2-carbamate) was administered in a variety of dose regimens in tablet form: 1) 200-mg single dose; 2) 300-mg single dose; 3) 100 mg 2 times/day for 2 days; 4) 100 mg 2 times/day for 3 days; and 5) 100 mg 2 times/day for 4 days. The drug effectively curbed all 3 parasitic infections on all dose schedules. A 2-4 day course reduced egg rates by 99-100% for all 3 species of parasites. Maximum cure rates (95.2% for hookworm 100% for A. lumbricoides and 88.8% for T. trichiura) were achieved in terms of all species with the 4-day schedule. However A. lumbricoides killing ranged from 90-100% at all dosage levels whereas T. trichiura showed more variability (44.4% with regimen 2 vs. 90% with regimen 3). Hookworms were killed at a rate of 44.4% with regimen 2 to 95.2% with regimens 4 and 5. Medendazole was well accepted by all patients; children chewed the tablets and reported good taste. The drug also had marked therapeutic effect against strongyloidiasis.