What is Mebendazole?

Mebendazole (MBZ) came into use in 1971, after it was developed by Janssen Pharmaceutica in Belgium. It is on the World Health Organization's List of Essential Medicines, the most effective and safe medicines needed in a health system and mebendazole is available as a generic medication [1]. 

Mebendazole is a broad-spectrum anthelmintic that is active against both larval and adult stages of nematodes selectively binding the β-subunit of tubulin, thereby inhibiting intestinal microtubule synthesis in the parasite (IC50 = 0.19 µM for Giardia in vitro). As a tubulin-binding agent, mebendazole also possesses antitumor properties, inducing apoptosis of various human carcinomas both in vitro and in vivo, thus preventing their growth and migration. Furthermore, mebendazole has been used to inhibit the hedgehog signaling in cancer cells via suppression of the formation of the primary cilium, a microtubule-based organelle that functions as a signaling hub for hedgehog pathway activation. Additionally, mebendazole has been shown to stabilize the transcriptional activator HIF-1α and its downstream targets, abrogating oxidative neuronal death in primary neurons [2].

Along with its needed effects, mebendazole may cause some unwanted effects. Such as diarrhea, abdominal pain, and elevated liver enzymes. In rare cases, it has been associated with a dangerously low white blood cell count, low platelet count, and hair loss, with a risk of agranulocytosis in rare cases. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention. Some side effects of mebendazole may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine [3].

Additionally, carbamazepine and phenytoin lower serum levels of mebendazole. Cimetidine does not appreciably raise serum mebendazole (in contrast to the similar drug Albendazole), consistent with its poor systemic absorption. Stevens–Johnson syndrome and the more severe toxic epidermal necrolysis can occur when mebendazole is combined with high doses of metronidazole [1].

Reference

[1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mebendazole
[2] https://www.caymanchem.com/product/18872/mebendazole
[3] https://www.drugs.com/sfx/mebendazole-side-effects.html
[4] https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/compound/403

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