Vermox Suspension
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VERMOX® SUSPENSION T04637
(mebendazole)
Patient Information Leaflet
Read all of this leaflet carefully before you start using this medicine.
• Keep this leaflet. You may need to read it again
• If you have any further questions, ask your doctor or pharmacist
• This medicine has been prescribed for you. Do not pass it on to others. It may harm them, even if their symptoms are the same as yours
• If you get side effects and they become serious or if you notice any side effects not listed in this leaflet, please tell your doctor or pharmacist
In this leaflet
1. What Vermox suspension is and what it is used for
2. Before you use Vermox suspension
3. How to use Vermox suspension
4. Possible side effects
5. How to store Vermox suspension
6. Further information
7. Further advice regarding worms
1. What Vermox suspension is and what it is used for
The name of your medicine is Vermox suspension. It contains a medicine called mebendazole. It is one of a group of medicines called ‘anthelmintics'.
Vermox suspension is used to treat worm infections of the gut such as:
• threadworms (pinworms)
• other common worm infections (such as whipworm, roundworm, hookworm)
This medicine is for use in adults and children aged over 2 years.
You or your child has been advised to take Vermox suspension because you have a worm infection. Worms can infect anyone. It does not necessarily mean that your hygiene is poor.
To stop you and your family infecting others or re-infecting yourselves, follow the advice below for at least six weeks:
• Keep nails short
• Discourage nail biting or finger sucking
• Wear pyjamas or underclothes in bed
• In the mornings, wash your bottom thoroughly
• Use a separate towel for each person in the house
• Change clothes regularly
• Wash and iron bed linen regularly
• Wash hands and nails well after using the toilet and before meals
2. Before you use Vermox suspension
Do not use Vermox suspension if:
• You are allergic to anything in Vermox suspension (listed in section 6 below)
• Your child is under 2 years old
Do not use this medicine if any of the above applies to you. If you are not sure, talk to your doctor or pharmacist before using Vermox suspension.
Taking other medicines
Please tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking or have recently taken any other medicines. This includes medicines that you buy without a prescription, herbal medicines, dietary supplements or vitamins.
In particular tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking:
• Metronidazole - for certain infections
• Cimetidine - for excess stomach acidity
Talk to your doctor before using Vermox suspension if you are taking any of these medicines.
Pregnancy and breast-feeding
• Do not take Vermox suspension if you are pregnant, think you may be pregnant or might become pregnant
• Ask your doctor or pharmacist for advice if you are breast-feeding
Ask your doctor or pharmacist for advice before taking any medicine if you are pregnant or breast-feeding.
Driving and using machines
This medicine is not likely to affect you being able to drive or use any tools or machines.
Important information about some of the ingredients of Vermox suspension
Vermox suspension contains
• Sucrose. If your doctor has told you that you are intolerant of some sugars, contact them before taking this medicine
• Methyl parahydroxybenzoate (E218) and propyl parahydroxybenzoate (E216). This may cause an allergic reaction. This reaction may happen some time after you have taken Vermox suspension
3. How to use Vermox suspension
Always use Vermox suspension exactly as your doctor has told you. You should check with your doctor or pharmacist if you are not sure.
Using this medicine
• Take this medicine by mouth
• The dose will depend on which type of worm you have
• Always shake the bottle thoroughly before use
• Use the 5 ml cup in the pack to measure the dose
• Always supervise a child if they are taking this medicine
• You do not need to use a laxative or change your diet
How much you should take
Adults and children over 2 years old For threadworms (pinworms):
• one 5 ml measuring cup (or spoonful) of suspension
A single dose of Vermox suspension will kill threadworms. Your doctor may tell you to take a second dose after 2 weeks in case of re-infection.
For other common worm infections:
• one 5 ml measuring cup (or spoonful) of suspension two times a day (morning and evening) for three consecutive days or as directed by your doctor
If you take more Vermox suspension than you should
If you take more Vermox suspension than you should, talk to a doctor or go to the nearest hospital casualty department straight away.
If you forget to take Vermox suspension
• Do not take the missed dose
• Take your next dose at the usual time, and then keep taking your medicine as your doctor has told you
• Do not take a double dose to make up for a forgotten dose
If you have any further questions on the use of this product, ask your doctor or pharmacist.
4. Possible side effects
Like all medicines, Vermox suspension can cause side effects, although not everybody gets them.
Stop using Vermox suspension and tell your doctor straight away if you notice or suspect the following serious side effects. You may need urgent medical treatment.
• Sudden swelling of your face or throat. Hives (also known as nettle rash or urticaria), severe irritation, reddening or blistering of your skin. These may be signs of a severe allergic reaction
• Blistering of your skin, mouth, eyes and genitals
• Fits (convulsions)
Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you notice any of the following side effects:
Common (affects less than 1 in 10 people)
• Stomach pain
Uncommon (affects less than 1 in 100 people)
• Stomach discomfort
• Diarrhoea
• Wind
Rare (affects less than 1 in 1,000 people)
• Rash
• Inflammation of the liver
• Changes in liver enzymes (shown in blood tests)
• Reduction in white blood cells (shown in blood tests). You may get more infections
• Unusual hair loss
• Dizziness
Reporting of side effects
If you get any side effects, talk to your doctor, pharmacist or nurse. This includes any possible side effects not listed in this leaflet. You can also report side effects directly via the Yellow Card Scheme at: www.mhra.gov.uk/yellowcard.
By reporting side effects, you can help provide more information on the safety of this medicine.
5. How to store Vermox suspension
• Keep out of the sight and reach of children.
• Shake the bottle well before use.
• Do not use the medicine after the expiry date printed on the carton label or bottle label.
• Medicines should not be disposed of via wastewater or household waste. These measures will help protect the environment. Return any leftover Vermox suspension to your pharmacist
6. Further information
The active ingredient of Vermox Suspension is mebendazole, a medicine used to treat worm infections of the gut.
Other ingredients:
The suspension contains the following inactive ingredients: sucrose, microcrystalline cellulose, sodium carboxymethyl cellulose, methyl paraben, propyl paraben, sodium lauryl sulphate, banana flavour, citric acid and purified water.
What Vermox suspension looks like and contents of the pack
Each 5 millilitre (5 ml) spoonful of the white banana flavoured suspension also contains 100 mg of mebendazole, and is supplied to the pharmacist in bottles containing 30 ml and a dosing cup with markings for 2.5 ml and 5 ml.
Manufacturer and Product Licence Holder This product is manufactured by Famar ABE, Attikis, Greece. It is procured from within the EU by the Product Licence Holder: Swinghope Limited, Brandon House, Marlowe Way, Croydon CR0 4XS and repackaged by Interport Limited, Brandon House, Marlowe Way, Croydon CR0 4XS.
POM
PL No: 10380/1167
Leaflet revision date: 06/11/2013
7. Further advice regarding worms
Threadworms (pinworms) produce large numbers of tiny eggs. They may be present in house dust and can stick to clothing, carpets, towels and bed linen. They can also be picked up by contact with someone who already has worms. Because the eggs are so small, it is very easy for them to be swallowed. Then they pass into the bowel where they grow into worms. The female lays her eggs at night around the bottom. It is this that causes the "itchy bottom" and leads to scratching. The eggs are then transferred to the fingers and finger nails, and can easily get into the mouth by finger sucking or nail biting. The life cycle of an adult worm can be as long as six weeks.
Vermox® is a registered trademark of Johnson & Johnson.
T04637