Mebendazole 200mg vs 400mg: Strengths, Prices & How to Choose

This page lists mebendazole in two capsule strengths: 200mg and 400mg. The appropriate strength depends on the type of infection being treated, your medical history, and your provider's clinical judgment. You do not need to know which strength is right for you before ordering — the licensed provider who reviews your health intake will confirm whether mebendazole is suitable and which strength matches your needs. If a different strength or medication is more appropriate, the provider will let you know before anything is dispensed. Prices shown reflect the medication as listed; add your selection to the cart to begin the intake process.

What is Mebendazole?

Mebendazole is a prescription antiparasitic medication in the anthelmintic class and the active ingredient in FDA-approved Vermox; this compounded 200mg capsule is not Vermox and is not FDA-approved. It treats intestinal infections caused by parasitic worms such as pinworm, whipworm, roundworm, and hookworm. Mebendazole works by blocking the worms' ability to absorb glucose, which they need for energy, causing them to die and pass from the body. It is taken by mouth and is generally used as a short course, with the exact regimen depending on the type of infection.

What it treats

• Pinworm infection (enterobiasis)
• Whipworm infection (trichuriasis)
• Common roundworm infection (ascariasis)
• Hookworm infection (Ancylostoma duodenale)
• Hookworm infection (Necator americanus)
• Mixed intestinal worm infections

• Pinworm: 100 mg by mouth as a single dose; may repeat in 3 weeks if needed
• Whipworm, roundworm, hookworm: 100 mg by mouth twice daily for 3 days
• Take exactly as prescribed; your prescriber will confirm the appropriate regimen for your product strength

Your prescriber will determine the dose and duration that are right for you. Always follow the directions on your prescription label.

Dosing shown is for Mebendazole 200mg. Each strength has its own directions in the comparison above and on its product page.

Common side effects

• Abdominal pain
• Diarrhea
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Flatulence (gas)
• Decreased appetite
• Rash
• Headache

• Do not use if you are allergic to mebendazole or any component of the product
• Avoid taking with metronidazole — serious skin reactions have been reported with the combination
• May lower white blood cell counts (neutropenia); report fever or signs of infection
• Tell your prescriber if you are pregnant, planning pregnancy, or breastfeeding
• Cimetidine may increase mebendazole levels; review all medications with your prescriber
• Not recommended for children under 2 years unless directed by a provider
• Complete the full course as prescribed; household members may also need treatment for pinworm

Tell your prescriber about all medications, supplements, and health conditions before starting mebendazole.

No — mebendazole is not available over the counter in the United States. It is a prescription-only medication, which means a licensed provider must evaluate you before it can be dispensed. That said, you don't need to visit a doctor's office to get it through our pharmacy.

Here's how it works: select the mebendazole product your provider recommended (or the one you'd like reviewed), add it to your cart, and complete a confidential health intake. A licensed U.S. provider reviews your information, and if mebendazole is appropriate for you, a prescription is issued and our pharmacy fills and ships your order. If the provider has questions or determines mebendazole isn't suitable, you'll be contacted before anything is charged for the medication.

Mebendazole and albendazole are both benzimidazole-class anthelmintics, but they are not interchangeable. Mebendazole and albendazole are both approved in the U.S. as brand-name products (Emverm and Albenza), though they treat somewhat different infections and are absorbed by the body differently — your provider will determine which is appropriate if an anti-parasitic is needed.

If you're searching for mebendazole, the safe route is a prescription product dispensed by a licensed pharmacy after a provider review.

Sources

1. DailyMed – Mebendazole
2. MedlinePlus – Mebendazole
3. FDA Drug Databases (Drugs@FDA)

Full dosing, side effects, warnings and sources for each strength are on its own product page.