Mebendazole
Consumer Medicine Information
What is in this leaflet?
This leaflet answers some common questions about Combantrin-1 with Mebendazole.
It does not contain all the available information.
It does not take the place of talking to your pharmacist.
All medicines have risks and benefits.
Your pharmacist has weighed the risks of you taking Combantrin-1 with Mebendazole against the benefits it is expected to have for you.
If you have any concerns about taking this medicine, ask your pharmacist.
Keep this leaflet with the medicine. You may need to read it again.
What Combantrin-1 with Mebendazole is used for
Combantrin-1 with Mebendazole is a single dose treatment for threadworm in adults and children of 2 years and over.
It is also effective against other worm infections such as roundworm, hookworm and whipworm. If infection with other worms is suspected, consult your doctor for positive worm identification
Combantrin-1 with Mebendazole is available without a prescription. However, your doctor may have special instructions on its use.
Before you take Combantrin-1 with Mebendazole
When you must not take it
Do not take Combantrin-1 with Mebendazole if:
- you are allergic to:
- Combantrin-1 with Mebendazole or similar medicines
- any of the ingredients listed at the end of this leaflet
- the foil packaging has been broken or damaged
- the expiry date on the packaging has passed
If you take Combantrin-1 with Mebendazole after the expiry date has passed, it may not work as well.
Do not give Combantrin-1 with Mebendazole to children under 2 years of age.
Before you start to take it
Tell your doctor or pharmacist if:
- you have any allergies to any other medicines or any other substances such as foods, preservatives or dyes
- you have any medical or health problems.
Do not take Combantrin-1 with Mebendazole if you are pregnant or breast feeding unless advised by your doctor.
If you have not told your doctor or pharmacist about any of the above, tell them before you start taking Combantrin-1 with Mebendazole.
Taking other medicines
Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking any other medicines, including medicines you buy without a prescription from a pharmacy, supermarket or health food shop.
How to take Combantrin-1 with Mebendazole
To help clear up your infection completely, take this medicine exactly as directed by your doctor or pharmacist.
In some people, a second course of this medicine may be needed to clear up the infection completely.
How much to take
Threadworm:
Adults and children of 2 years and over: 1 chocolate square (100mg) as a single dose
A repeat dose is recommended after 2 to 4 weeks if reinfestation occurs.
Roundworm, whipworm & hookworm:
Adults and children of 2 years and over : 1 chocolate square (100mg) twice each day for 3 consecutive days.
Combantrin-1 with Mebendazole chocolate squares may be taken with or without food.
If you forget to take it
If you miss a dose of this medicine, take it as soon as possible. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule.
Do not double dose.
If you take too much (overdose)
Telephone the Poisons Information Centre (Australia 13 1126; New Zealand 03 4747000) straight away for advice if you or anyone else may have swallowed much Combantrin-1 with Mebendazole. Do this even if there are no signs of discomfort or poisoning.
If you take too much Combantrin-1 with Mebendazole, you may get stomach pains, diarrhoea, feel sick or vomit.
While you are using it
Things you must do
Treat all household members at the same time with Combantrin-1 with Mebendazole. Threadworms and other worm infections can be easily passed from one person to another, especially in a household. Treating all household members at the same time will help prevent infection and reinfection. All household members may have to be treated again in 2 to 4 weeks time to clear the infection up completely.
To reduce the risk of reinfection, make sure you and other members of your family:
- wear shoes
- wash your hands with soap and clean under your finger nails often during the day, especially before eating and after using the toilet
- wash all fruits and vegetables thoroughly before using them
If you become pregnant while taking Combantrin-1 with Mebendazole, tell your doctor.
If your symptoms do not improve within a few days, or if they become worse, check with your doctor. In some people, worm infections may return after treatment with Combantrin-1 with Mebendazole. Washing (not shaking) all bedding and night clothes (pyjamas) after treatment may help prevent this.
Side effects
Check with your doctor or pharmacist as soon as possible if you have any problems while taking Combantrin-1 with Mebendazole, even if you do not think the problems are connected with the medicine or are not listed in this leaflet. Like other medicines, Combantrin-1 with Mebendazole can cause some side effects. If they occur, most are likely to be minor and temporary.
Ask your doctor or pharmacist to answer any questions you may have.
Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you notice any of the following and they worry you:
- stomach pain or upset
- diarrhoea
- feeling sick (nausea) or vomiting
After using Combantrin-1 with Mebendazole
Storage
Keep this medicine where young children cannot reach it. A locked cupboard at least 11/2 metres above the ground is a good place to store medicines.
Keep Combantrin-1 with Mebendazole in a cool, dry place where the temperature stays below 25°C. Do not store it or any other medicine in the bathroom or near a sink.
Do not leave it in the car or on window sills. Heat can destroy some medicines.
Disposal
If the expiry date on the packaging has passed, ask your pharmacist what to do with the chocolate squares.
Product description
What it looks like
Brown chocolate block consisting of four scored squares, each imprinted with the Pfizer.
Ingredients
Active ingredients:
Each chocolate square contains 100mg Mebendazole.
Other ingredients:
- compounded chocolate
- palm kernel oil
Manufacturer
Combantrin-1 with Mebendazole is supplied in Australia by:
Pfizer Pty Limited
(ACN 008 422 348)
38-42 Wharf Road
West Ryde NSW 2114
Pfizer Laboratories Ltd
Auckland New Zealand
Australian Registration Number: AUST R 72602.
This leaflet was revised on 9 December 1999.
TGA Approval Date: 6 January 2000.
Published by MIMS February 2001
