Emverm, Vermox vs. Stromectol

Emverm and Vermox (mebendazole) and Stromectol (ivermectin) are anthelmintics (anti-parasite, or anti-worm) medications used to treat infections caused by certain parasites such as whipworm and pinworm.

Emverm and Vermox are also used to treat roundworm and hookworm.

Stromectol is also used to treat threadworm.

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

Side effects of Emverm and Vermox and Stromectol that are similar include diarrhea, headache, and dizziness.

Side effects of Emverm and Vermox that are different from Stromectol include stomach/abdominal pain, vomiting, fever, and drowsiness.

Side effects of Stromectol that are different from Emverm and Vermox include muscle pain, nausea, swelling of hands/ankles/feet, swelling or tenderness of your lymph nodes, itching, skin rash, and feeling something is in your eye(s).

Emverm and Vermox may interact with seizure medications.

Stromectol may interact with alcohol and other drugs.

Side effects of Emverm, Vermox include:

• abdominal pain,
• diarrhea,
• rash,
• hives,
• skin swelling,
• elevated liver function tests, and
• hepatitis (rare).

Common side effects of Stromectol include:

• headache,
• dizziness,
• muscle pain,
• nausea,
• diarrhea,
• swelling of hands/ankles/feet,
• swelling or tenderness of your lymph nodes,
• itching,
• skin rash, or
• feeling something is in your eye(s).

If you are being treated for "river blindness" (onchocerciasis), you may experience reactions to the dying parasites during the first 4 days of treatment, including joint pain, tender or swollen lymph nodes, eye swelling/redness/pain, weakness, vision changes, itching, rash, and fever. Tell your doctor if you have rare but very serious side effects of Stromectol including:

• neck or back pain,
• swelling face/arms/hands/feet,
• chest pain,
• fast heartbeat,
• confusion,
• seizures, or
• loss of consciousness.

Emverm (mebendazole) Chewable Tablet is a broad-spectrum anthelmintic indicated for the treatment of Enterobius vermicularis (pinworm), Trichuris trichiura (whipworm), Ascaris lumbricoides (common roundworm), Ancylostoma duodenale (common hookworm), Necator americanus (American hookworm) in single or mixed infections.

There may be other drugs that can affect Stromectol. Tell your doctor all prescription and over-the-counter medications and supplements you use. During pregnancy, Stromectol should be used only when prescribed. This medication passes into breast milk. Though there have been no reports of harm to nursing infants, consult your doctor before breastfeeding.

Emverm may interact with cimetidine. Tell your doctor all medications and supplements you use. Emverm is not recommended for use during pregnancy; it may harm a fetus. It is unknown if Emverm passes into breast milk. Consult your doctor before breastfeeding.

Stromectol may interact with cold or allergy medicines, sedatives, narcotic pain medicine, sleeping pills, muscle relaxers, and medicine for seizures, depression or anxiety, other medicines for Parkinson's disease, medicine to prevent or treat nausea and vomiting, or medicine to treat psychiatric disorders.

Stromectol may also interact with amantadine, cimetidine, diltiazem, ranitidine, quinidine, quinine, triamterene, verapamil, promethazine, and levodopa.

The dose of Emverm for adults and children to treat pinworm is one tablet, taken once. The dose of Emverm for adults and children to treat whipworm, common roundworm, or hookworm, is one tablet, taken morning and evening for 3 consecutive days.

The recommended dosage of Stromectol for the treatment of strongyloidiasis is a single oral dose that provides approximately 200 mcg per kg of body weight. The recommended dosage for the treatment of onchocerciasis is a single oral dose that provides approximately 150 mcg per kg of body weight. Patients should take tablets on an empty stomach with water.