Albenza vs. Vermox

• Are Albenza and Vermox the Same Thing?
• What Are Possible Side Effects of Albenza?
• What Are Possible Side Effects of Vermox?
• What Is Albenza?
• What Is Vermox?
• What Drugs Interact with Albenza?
• What Drugs Interact with Vermox?
• How Should Albenza Be Taken?
• How Should Vermox Be Taken?

Albenza (albendazole) and Vermox (mebendazole) are anthelmintics (anti-worm medications) used to treat certain infections caused by different types of worms.

Albenza is used to treat infections caused by worms such as pork tapeworm and dog tapeworm.

Vermox is used to treat infections caused by worms such as whipworm, pinworm, roundworm, and hookworm. Vermox is also used to treat infections caused by more than one of these worms at the same time.

The brand name Vermox is no longer available in the U.S. Generic versions may be available.

Common side effects of Albenza include:

• nausea,
• vomiting,
• stomach and abdominal pain,
• headache,
• dizziness, or
• temporary hair loss.

Tell your doctor if you have serious side effects of Albenza including:

• vision changes,
• yellowing eyes or skin,
• severe stomach or abdominal pain,
• dark urine,
• unusual tiredness,
• easy bruising or bleeding,
• signs of infection (e.g., fever, persistent sore throat),
• changes in the amount of urine,
• severe or persistent headache,
• seizures,
• confusion, or
• very stiff neck.

Common side effects of Vermox include:

• stomach/abdominal pain,
• vomiting,
• diarrhea,
• fever,
• headache,
• dizziness, or
• drowsiness.

Albenza (albendazole) is a broad spectrum anthelmintic, or anti-worm medication used to treat certain infections caused by worms such as pork tapeworm and dog tapeworm.

Vermox (mebendazole) is an "antihelmintic," or anti-worm, medication used to treat infections caused by worms such as whipworm, pinworm, roundworm, and hookworm. Vermox is also used to treat infections caused by more than one of these worms at the same time. The brand name Vermox is no longer available in the U.S.

Albenza may interact with other medications including antibiotics, cimetidine, dexamethasone, praziquantel, or theophylline. Tell your doctor all medications you are taking. During pregnancy, Albenza should be used only when prescribed. It may harm a fetus.

Mebendazole may interact with seizure medications. Tell your doctor all medications you use. During pregnancy, mebendazole should be used only when prescribed. It is unknown if this drug passes into breast milk.

Dosing of Albenza varies, depending upon which parasitic infection is being treated.

The dose of mebendazole for children and adults to treat whipworm, roundworm, and hookworm is 1 tablet taken morning and evening for 3 consecutive days. The dose to treat pinworm is 1 tablet, taken just once.