Thiabendazole (Systemic)

Brand Names : Mintezol

Proper Use of This Medicine

No special preparations (for example, special diets, fasting, other medicines, laxatives, or enemas) are necessary before, during, or immediately after treatment with thiabendazole.

Thiabendazole is best taken after meals (breakfast and evening meal). This helps to prevent some common side effects such as nausea, vomiting, dizziness, or loss of appetite.

Doctors may also prescribe a corticosteroid (a cortisone-like medicine) for certain patients with pork worms (trichinosis) , especially for those with severe symptoms. This is to help reduce the inflammation caused by the pork worm larvae. If your doctor prescribes these 2 medicines together, it is important to take the corticosteroid along with thiabendazole. Take them exactly as directed by your doctor. Do not miss any doses.

For patients taking the oral liquid form of thiabendazole:

• Use a specially marked measuring spoon or other device to measure each dose accurately. The average household teaspoon may not hold the right amount of liquid.

For patients taking the chewable tablet form of thiabendazole:

• Tablets should be chewed or crushed before they are swallowed.

To help clear up your infection completely, take this medicine exactly as directed by your doctor for the full time of treatment . In some patients a second course of this medicine may be required to clear up the infection completely. Do not miss any doses .

Dosing - The dose of thiabendazole will be different for different patients. Follow your doctor's orders or the directions on the label . The following information includes only the average doses of thiabendazole. If your dose is different, do not change it unless your doctor tells you to do so.

The number of tablets or teaspoonfuls of suspension that you take depends on the strength of the medicine. Also, the number of doses you take each day, the time allowed between doses, and the length of time you take the medicine depend on the medical problem for which you are taking thiabendazole .

• For oral dosage forms (oral suspension or tablets):
  • Adults and children over 13.6 kilograms (30 pounds) of body weight:
    • For cutaneous larva migrans and strongyloidiasis : Dose is based on body weight and will be determined by your doctor. The dose is taken two times a day for two days.
    • For trichinosis : Dose is based on body weight and will be determined by your doctor. The dose is taken two times a day for two to four days.
    • For visceral larva migrans : Dose is based on body weight and will be determined by your doctor. The dose is taken two times a day for seven days.
  • Children up to 13.6 kilograms (30 pounds) of body weight: Dose must be determined by the doctor.

Missed dose - If you do miss a dose of this medicine, take it as soon as possible. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not double doses.

Storage - To store this medicine:

• Keep out of the reach of children.
• Store away from heat and direct light.
• Do not store the chewable tablet form of this medicine in the bathroom, near the kitchen sink, or in other damp places. Heat or moisture may cause the medicine to break down.
• Keep the oral liquid form of this medicine from freezing.
• Do not keep outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed. Be sure that any discarded medicine is out of the reach of children.