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Prescription medication · Antiparasitic (Benzimidazole)

mebendazole

Also sold as Emverm. Emverm treats infections in your stomach and intestines caused by roundworm and whipworm.

Data updated 2026-05-15

762
FDA reportsRarely reported
2
InteractionsFew interactions
$650.38
Generic price (NADAC)

What the data shows

mebendazole (Emverm) is a prescription Antiparasitic (Benzimidazole), among the least-reported drugs the FDA tracks (762 FDA reports), with 2 documented drug interactions.

Reporting volume reflects how widely a drug is used and studied, not how dangerous it is, a FAERS report documents a temporal association, never proof of cause.

mebendazole (Emverm) is a prescription Antiparasitic (Benzimidazole). Emverm treats infections in your stomach and intestines caused by roundworm and whipworm.

Emverm is a medicine used to treat worm infections in your gut. It kills the worms so your body can get rid of them.

Drug Pricing (NADAC)

Generic Price

$650.38/unit

Generic Available

Yes (0 manufacturers)

Pricing data from NADAC (CMS), effective December 18, 2024. Compare all drug costs →

View Alternatives → Compare with Another Drug → Full Side Effects Report →

What it does

Emverm treats infections in your stomach and intestines caused by roundworm and whipworm.

Common side effects

Loss of appetite, Stomach pain, Diarrhea

Key warnings

In rare cases, infants under 1 year old have had seizures while taking this medicine.

The sections below are summarized in plain English from mebendazole's FDA-approved prescribing information. They describe what the official label says, and are not personal medical advice.

How It Works

Emverm stops the worms from using sugar. Without sugar, the worms die. Then your body can get rid of the dead worms.

How to Take It

Take one 500 mg Emverm tablet as a single dose. Chew the tablet completely before you swallow it. If you have trouble chewing, mix the tablet with 2-3 mL of water in a spoon. The tablet will soften in about 2 minutes and can then be swallowed. You can take this medicine with or without food.

This is a plain-language summary of mebendazole's FDA labeling, not individualized dosing advice. Ask a pharmacist or prescriber before changing how you take this medication.

Pregnancy & Breastfeeding

Talk to your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. Although studies haven't shown clear harm to the baby, it's important to discuss the risks and benefits. It is not known if this medicine passes into breast milk, so talk to your doctor if you are breastfeeding.

This is a plain-language summary of mebendazole's FDA labeling, not individualized advice. Ask a pharmacist or prescriber about pregnancy or breastfeeding on this medication.

Missed Dose

Since Emverm is taken as a single dose, you don't have to worry about missing a dose.

This is a plain-language summary of mebendazole's FDA labeling, not individualized advice. Ask a pharmacist or prescriber what to do about your specific missed dose.

Storage

Store below 30°C (86°F). Keep the bottle closed tightly and throw away any unused tablets 1 month after opening the bottle.

Side Effects (from patient reports)

Based on 762 FDA adverse event reports.

Most-reported reactions

Adverse reactions in FAERS for mebendazole, by number of reports

reports

What this shows Bars show how often each reaction was reported, not how likely it is to happen, a report records a temporal association, never proof that the drug caused it.

Source FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS) As of 2025

Reports over time

Adverse-event reports filed for mebendazole each year to the FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS).

020406080 20042007201020132016201920222025 36

Year-to-year volume tracks usage, prescribing, and scrutiny, not a change in per-patient risk. Source: FDA FAERS.

Where mebendazole sits

mebendazole has more FDA adverse-event reports than 5% of the drugs FAERS tracks. A high position reflects how widely a drug is used and watched, not how dangerous it is.

fewest reports most reports

Percentile across all drugs PlainMeds tracks by FAERS report volume. The dot is mebendazole; the line is the median (50th percentile).

FDA Adverse Event Report Analysis

Detailed analysis of 762 reports from the FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS). Reports span 2004–2025.

Total Reports

762

Reports Mentioning Death

54

7.1% of reports — not proof of cause

Hospitalization Reports

181

Top Indication

Product Used For Unknown Indication

Gender Distribution

Female 389 (58%)
Male 258 (39%)

Age Distribution

0–17 182
18–44 167
45–64 85
65–74 34
75+ 18

Most Reported Adverse Reactions (FAERS)

# Reaction Reports
1 FOETAL EXPOSURE DURING PREGNANCY 56
2 NAUSEA 48
3 VOMITING 43
5 ABDOMINAL PAIN 41
7 DIZZINESS 36
8 FATIGUE 32
9 DRUG EXPOSURE DURING PREGNANCY 30
10 ASTHENIA 29
11 DIARRHOEA 29
12 PYREXIA 29
13 HEADACHE 28
14 PRURITUS 24
15 EXPOSURE DURING PREGNANCY 22
16 ABORTION SPONTANEOUS 21
17 MALAISE 21

Reactions in Death Reports

FOETAL EXPOSURE DURING PREGNANCY 15
DEATH 11
EXOMPHALOS 7
DEHYDRATION 6
FOETAL MEGACYSTIS 6
SEPSIS NEONATAL 5
DISEASE PROGRESSION 4
PNEUMONIA 4
PYREXIA 4
ABDOMINAL TENDERNESS 3

Reactions in Hospitalization Reports

NAUSEA 23
ABDOMINAL PAIN 21
VOMITING 17
PYREXIA 15
DIZZINESS 12
ASTHENIA 11
PAIN IN EXTREMITY 10
PRURITUS 10
DYSPNOEA 9
FATIGUE 9

Source: FDA FAERS (Adverse Event Reporting System) FDA FAERS (Adverse Event Reporting System) Reports are voluntary and do not establish causation

Serious Warnings

In rare cases, infants under 1 year old have had seizures while taking this medicine. If you take high doses of this medicine for a long time, it can lower your blood cell counts. If you take metronidazole with this medicine, you could get a severe skin reaction. Do not take Emverm if you are allergic to any of its ingredients.

Known Drug Interactions

albuterol, systemic and inhaled mebendazole amoxicillin medroxyprogesterone ampicillin, with or without sulbactam methylprednisolone atenolol metronidazole azithromycin metoprolol caffeine, dietary ingestion nadolol cefaclor nifedipine co-trimoxazole (trimethoprim and sulfamethoxazole) nizatidine diltiazem norfloxacin dirithromycin ofloxacin enflurane omeprazole famotidine prednisone, prednisolone felodipine ranitidine finasteride rifabutin hydrocortisone roxithromycin isoflurane Sorbitol (purgative doses do not inhibit theophylline absorption) isoniazid sucralfate isradipine terbutaline,...

Mechanism: This medicine does not interfere with the body's ability to process and remove theophylline from your system.

What to do: Your doctor does not need to adjust your theophylline dose, but you should still watch for any signs that your levels are too high.

7 DRUG INTERACTIONS Concomitant use of mebendazole and metronidazole should be avoided [see Warnings and Precautions (5.3) ] .

Mechanism: Using these two drugs together is linked to a higher risk of serious health problems.

What to do: Avoid taking these two medications at the same time.

This is a plain-language summary of interactions documented in FDA labeling, not individualized advice. Ask a pharmacist or prescriber before combining medications.

Common Questions

Can I give this medicine to my baby?
This medicine is for people one year of age and older.
What if I can't chew the tablet?
You can mix the tablet with a little water to soften it.
How long does it take for the medicine to work?
Emverm is a single-dose treatment, so it starts working right away.
Can I take this medicine with other medicines?
Talk to your doctor about all the medicines you take, especially metronidazole.
What should I do if I get a rash?
Tell your doctor if you get a rash or any other side effects.
How do I know if the medicine is working?
Your symptoms should get better after taking the medicine.
Can I drink alcohol while taking this medicine?
There are no known interactions between alcohol and this medicine.
What if I accidentally swallow the tablet whole?
The tablet should be chewed for best results, but swallowing it whole should still be effective.
Can I get worms again after taking this medicine?
Yes, you can get worms again. Practice good hygiene to prevent reinfection.
Is there a generic version of this medicine?
Yes, mebendazole is the generic name for Emverm.
What are the common side effects of mebendazole?
The most commonly reported side effects of mebendazole include Loss of appetite, Stomach pain, Diarrhea, Gas, Feeling sick to your stomach. Based on 762 FDA adverse event reports. Always consult your healthcare provider about potential side effects.
Does mebendazole interact with other medications?
Yes, mebendazole has 2 known drug interactions. Notable interactions include theophylline, metronidazole. Always inform your doctor about all medications you are taking.
What drug class is mebendazole?
mebendazole belongs to the Antiparasitic (Benzimidazole) drug class. It requires a prescription (Rx). Emverm treats infections in your stomach and intestines caused by roundworm and whipworm.
Is mebendazole safe during pregnancy?
Talk to your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. Although studies haven't shown clear harm to the baby, it's important to discuss the risks and benefits. Always consult your healthcare provider before using any medication during pregnancy or breastfeeding.

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What the FDA Data Shows for mebendazole

The FDA label for mebendazole (sold under brand names such as Emverm) classifies it as a prescription-only medication in the Antiparasitic (Benzimidazole) class. Emverm treats infections in your stomach and intestines caused by roundworm and whipworm. Official labeling lists 7 commonly reported side effects, including Loss of appetite, Stomach pain, Diarrhea.

Post-market surveillance from the FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS) captures real-world experience. For this drug, FAERS contains 762 voluntary reports. The database also lists 2 documented drug interactions derived from FDA labeling, with the top-flagged interaction rated major severity. NADAC pricing from CMS shows a generic unit cost of $650.38.

Report counts do not establish causation, a FAERS entry documents a temporal association, not proof that the drug produced the outcome. Widely prescribed medications naturally accumulate more reports than niche therapies, so raw totals must be interpreted alongside total exposure. Shortage status, recall history, and patent information further shape supply and switching decisions. This page summarizes public FDA data for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, always consult a licensed healthcare provider before starting, stopping, or changing any medication.

Data Sources

Drug labeling: FDA Drug Labels (SPL/DailyMed). Adverse events: FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS). Pricing: CMS National Average Drug Acquisition Cost (NADAC).

FAERS reports are voluntary and do not establish causation. Drug interactions are derived from FDA labeling and clinical references. Always consult a healthcare professional before making medication decisions.

Last updated: October 5, 2021

Data currency: FDA FAERS adverse-event reports through 2025, CMS NADAC acquisition-cost pricing effective December 2024, compiled and last refreshed May 2026. See our methodology for per-source dates and refresh cadence. Spot a figure that looks wrong? Report a correction.

All federal data sources used on this page