Vermox Tablets
VERMOX® TABLETS / MEBENDAZOLE 100mg TABLETS
(mebendazole)
PACKAGE LEAFLET: INFORMATION FOR THE USER
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 Tablets are and what they are used for
2. Before you use Vermox Tablets
3. How to use Vermox Tablets
4. Possible side effects
5. How to store Vermox Tablets
6. Further information
7. Further advice regarding worms
1. What Vermox Tablets are and what they are used for
The name of your medicine is Vermox 100mg Tablets / Mebendazole 100mg Tablets (referred to as Vermox Tablets in this leaflet). Vermox Tablets contain a medicine called mebendazole. It is one of a group of medicines called 'anthelmintics'.
Vermox Tablets are used to treat worm infections of the gut such as:
■ threadworms (pinworms)
■ other common worm infections (such as whipworm, roundworm, hookworm)
You or your child has been advised to take Vermox Tablets because you have a worm infection. Worms can infect anyone. It does not necessarily mean that your hygiene is poor.
2. Before you use Vermox Tablets Do not use Vermox Tablets if:
■ You are allergic to anything in Vermox Tablets (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 Tablets.
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 Tablets if you are taking any of these medicines.
Pregnancy and breast-feeding
■ Do not take Vermox Tablets if you are pregnant, think you may be pregnant or might become pregnant
■ Ask your doctor or pharmacist for advice if you are breastfeeding
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 Tablets
This medicine contains 0.06mg of sunset yellow (E110). This ingredient may cause allergic reactions.
3. How to use Vermox Tablets
Always use Vermox Tablets exactly as your doctor has told you. You should check with your doctor or pharmacist if you are not sure.
Taking this medicine
■ Take this medicine by mouth
■ The dose will depend on which type of worm you have
■ Crush the tablet before giving it to your child. Always
supervise a child if they are taking this medicine
■ Chew the tablets or swallow them whole
■ 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 tablet
A single Vermox Tablet will kill threadworms. Your doctor may tell you to take a second tablet after two weeks in case of re-infection.
For other common worm infections:
■ one tablet two times a day (morning and evening) for three consecutive days or as directed by your doctor.
If you take more Vermox Tablets than you should
If you take more Vermox Tablets than you should, talk to a doctor or go to the nearest hospital casualty department straight away.
If you forget to take Vermox Tablets
■ 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 Tablets can cause side effects, although not everybody gets them.
Stop using Vermox Tablets 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 Tablets
■ Do not use after the expiry date printed on the carton label or blister label.
■ Vermox Tablets should be stored at room temperature (below 30°C).
■ Keep all medicines in their original packaging in a dry place.
■ KEEP OUT OF THE SIGHT AND REACH OF CHILDREN.
■ If your doctor tells you to stop taking the tablets, please take them back to the pharmacist for safe disposal. Only keep the tablets if your doctor tells you to.
■ If the tablets become discoloured or show signs of any deterioration, you should seek the advice of your pharmacist who will advise you what to do.
6. Further information
What Vermox Tablets contain
The active ingredient in Vermox Tablets is mebendazole. Each tablet contains lOOmg of the active ingredient mebendazole.
Vermox Tablets also contain the following inactive ingredients: microcrystalline cellulose, sodium starch glycollate, talc, maize starch, sodium saccharine, magnesium stearate, hydrogenated vegetable oil, orange flavour, colloidal silica, sodium lauryl sulphate and sunset yellow (E110).
What Vermox Tablets look like and contents of the pack
Each pale orange tablet is coded 'JANSSEN' on one side and 'Me breakline 100' on the other.
Vermox Tablets are available as blister packs of 6 tablets.
Manufacturer
Vermox Tablets are manufactured by: Famar ABE, Anthousa, Greece.
Procured from within the EU and repackaged by the Product Licence holder: Doncaster Pharmaceuticals Group Ltd.,
Kirk Sandall Industrial Estate, Doncaster, DN3 1QR.
PL No: 04423/0259
For information in large print, tape, CD or Braille, telephone 01302 554841
Vermox® is a registered trademark of Johnson & Johnson. Leaflet revision and issue date (Ref): 14.01.15
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.
To stop you and your family infecting others or re-infecting yourselves, follow the advice below for at least 6 weeks:
■ Keep nails short
■ Discourage nail biting or finger sucking
■ Wear pyjamas or underclothes in bed
■ Each morning, 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.
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