Wormstop 100 mg/5 ml Suspension

The name of your medicine is WORMSTOP® SUSPENSION or WORMSTOP® 100 (referred to as WORMSTOP® in this leaflet). WORMSTOP® contains a medicine called mebendazole. It is one of a group of medicines called ‘anthelmintics’. WORMSTOP® is used to treat worm infections of the gut such as:

• threadworms (pinworms)
• other common worm infections (such as whipworm, roundworm, hookworm, tapeworm)

This medicine is for use in adults and children over 1 year. You or your child has been advised to take WORMSTOP® because you have a worm infection. Worms can infect anyone. It does not necessarily mean that your hygiene is poor.

Do not take WORMSTOP®

• If you are hypersensitive (allergic) to mebendazole or any of the other ingredients of WORMSTOP® (listed in section 6)
• If your child is under the age of 1 year
• If you are pregnant
• If you are taking metronidazole used for certain infections.

Warnings and precautions

Take special care with WORMSTOP®:

• If you have inflammation of the liver
• If you have changes in liver enzymes (shown in blood tests)
• If you have inflammation of the kidneys
• If you have a reduction in white blood cells (shown in blood tests). You may get more infections.
• If your child has convulsions (seizures). WORMSTOP® should only be given to children under 1 year of age if your doctor has specifically prescribed it.

Other medicines and WORMSTOP®

Always tell your health care provider if you are taking any other medicine. (This includes complementary or traditional medicines). If you are taking WORMSTOP® do not take following medicines:

• Metronidazole - for certain infections
• Cimetidine - for excess stomach acidity

Ask your doctor for advice before taking any medicine.

Pregnancy and breast-feeding

If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, think you may be pregnant or are planning to have a baby, please consult your doctor, pharmacist or other health care provider for advice before taking this medicine. Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you are breast-feeding.

Driving and using machines

This medicine is not likely to affect you being able to drive or use any tools or machines. WORMSTOP® contains a sugar: sorbitol 70% solution. This may cause gastrointestinal discomfort and have a mild laxative effect.

Do not share medicines prescribed for you with any other person. Always take WORMSTOP® exactly as prescribed in this leaflet or as your doctor or pharmacist or nurse has told you. Check with your doctor or pharmacist or nurse if you are not sure.

The usual dose is:

Whipworm; Hookworm; Large Round Worm; Pinworm; Ternidens Deminutus; Infestations by Moniliformis moniliformis:

Tablets: One tablet (100 mg) twice daily (morning and evening) for three consecutive days. This standard dosage applies to adults, children and infants over the age of 1 year.

Suspension: One medicine measure (5 ml) twice daily (morning and evening) for three consecutive days. This standard dosage applies to adults, children and infants over the age of 1 year.

Tapeworm (Taenia spp):

Tablets: One tablet (100 mg) twice daily (morning and evening) for six consecutive days. This standard dosage applies to adults, children and infants.

Suspension: One medicine measure (5 ml) twice daily (morning and evening) for six consecutive days. This standard dosage applies to adults, children and infants.

Threadworm (Strongyloides stercoralis):

Adults: Two tablets (200 mg) twice daily (morning and evening) for three consecutive days. Children: One tablet (100 mg) twice daily (morning and evening) for three consecutive days.

Suspension: Adults: Two medicine measures (10 ml) twice daily (morning and evening) for three consecutive days. Children: One medicine measure (5 ml) twice daily (morning and evening) for three consecutive days.

Tablets: WORMSTOP® is easily accepted even by children but may be crushed and given with some liquid.

If you take more WORMSTOP® than you should

In the event of overdosage, consult your doctor or pharmacist. If neither is available, contact the nearest hospital or poison centre.

If you forget to take WORMSTOP®

• 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 stop taking WORMSTOP®

Do not stop taking your medicine without consulting your doctor.

WORMSTOP® can have side effects. Not all side effects reported for WORMSTOP® are included in this leaflet. Should your general health worsen or if you experience any untoward effects while taking WORMSTOP®, please consult your health care provider for advice.

If any of the following happens, stop taking WORMSTOP® and tell your doctor immediately or go to the casualty department at your nearest hospital:

• 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)

These are all very serious side effects. If you have them, you may have had a serious reaction to WORMSTOP®. You may need urgent medical attention or hospitalisation.

Tell your doctor immediately or go to the casualty department at your nearest hospital if you notice any of the following:

• Palpitations
• Increased heart rate

These are all serious side effects. You may need urgent medical attention.

Tell your doctor if you notice any of the following:

Frequent side effects:

• Stomach pain

Less frequent side effects:

• Stomach discomfort
• Diarrhoea
• Wind
• Feeling sick (nausea) or being sick (vomiting)
• Rash
• Inflammation of the liver
• Changes in liver enzymes (shown in blood tests)
• Inflammation of the kidneys
• Reduction in white blood cells (shown in blood tests). You may get more infections
• Unusual hair loss
• Dizziness

If you notice any side effects not mentioned in this leaflet, please inform your doctor or pharmacist.

Reporting of side effects

If you get side effects, talk to your doctor or pharmacist or nurse. You can also report side effects to SAHPRA via the “6.04 Adverse Drug Reaction Reporting Form”, found online under SAHPRA’s publications: https://www.sahpra.org.za/Publications/Index/8. By reporting side effects, you can help provide more information on the safety of WORMSTOP®.

• Store all medicines out of reach of children.
• Do not use this medicine after the expiry date which is stated on the label, carton and blister. The expiry date refers to the last day of that month.
• Store at or below 25 ⁰C.
• WORMSTOP® 100 (TABLETS): Keep the blisters in the outer carton in order to protect from light.
• Do not throw away any medicines via wastewater or household waste. Ask your pharmacist how to throw away medicines you no longer use. These measures will help protect the environment.