Fenbendazole is a prescription medication that eliminates a variety of parasites in dogs/puppies, cats/kittens, goats, sheep, cattle and fur animals. It is also used as a treatment for nematodes in pets.
It blocks the ability of worms to produce energy, which ultimately starves and kills them. It is a potent antihelmintic.
What is Fenbendazole Capsules?
Fenbendazole (methyl N-(6-phenylsulfanyl-1H-benzimidazole-2-yl) carbamate) is a broad-spectrum anthelmintic medication that has been found to be effective against numerous intestinal parasites. It is most often used to treat or prevent intestinal worms in puppies, but can also be employed off-label to protect against giardia and lungworm in dogs. This moderate-acting drug is easy to administer and can be given orally, once per day for 3 consecutive days. It is recommended that fecal examinations be done after treatment to confirm that the parasites are dead and that the medication has been effectively administered.
Fenbendazole can be purchased through your veterinarian or compounded by a licensed pharmacy such as SVPMEDS using USP 795> guidelines. Typically, this medication comes in granules or a liquid suspension and is given by mouth. When administered correctly, fenbendazole is generally well tolerated. However, in rare instances higher doses of this medication may cause an allergic reaction known as anaphylaxis. Signs of anaphylaxis include hives, facial swelling and lethargy.
Dosage
Fenbendazole is a broad-spectrum benzimidazole anthelmintic that treats and prevents intestinal parasites in a variety of domestic food animals. It is effective in the treatment of giardia, roundworms, hookworms, whipworms, the tapeworm genus Taenia (but not against Dipylidium caninum, the common dog tapeworm), lungworms, and pinworms. It also is used extra-label as a treatment for nematodes, including the pheasant nematode Syngamus trachea, which is a significant problem in commercial pheasant farms.
In three experiments examining the effect of fenbendazole on EMT6 tumor growth, the animals were stratified by tumor volume and treated with a fenbendazole regimen (Table I). After treatment, the time required for each tumor to grow from its initial volume to four-fold that volume was determined. The results showed that fenbendazole did not affect the growth of unirradiated tumors or affect the radiation response of irradiated tumors.
These unexpected results in tumor models have prompted further preclinical and clinical studies of the role of benzimidazole anthelmintics. It is critical that the research veterinary community acknowledge these potential effects so that they can best advise their colleagues, especially when facility treatments are required for an entire population of animals.
Side Effects
Fenbendazole has been used extensively to deworm animals with a high level of success. More recently, research has shown that it also can prevent cancer cells from dividing and growing. It acts as a moderate microtubule destabilizer and causes cancer cell death through multiple pathways.
In humans, doses up to 2,000 mg per day for ten days have been well tolerated. However, some people may experience higher liver enzyme levels while taking this medication.
Do not give fenbendazole to pregnant women or children. It can cause serious side effects in these groups. It is also important to avoid using fenbendazole preparations designed for dogs in cats. This can lead to an overdose and unwanted side effects. It can also be toxic to aquatic life. It is advisable to consult your veterinarian about the correct dosage and schedule for your pet. They can help you avoid any potential complications or side effects. They can also advise you on other medications and supplements that you should not use with fenbendazole.
Precautions
Fenbendazole is a powerful antiparasitic medication. When prescribed and administered by a veterinarian, it is relatively safe and effective for most pets. However, it can cause side effects, including vomiting and the presence of dead worms in the stool. It is also important to follow a veterinarian’s dosing instructions and those printed on the drug’s label.
It is a member of the benzimidazole group of anthelmintics, and is typically used to remove roundworms, hookworms, whipworms, lungworms (Ancylostoma canis, Uncinaria stenocephala), some tapeworms, and Giardia. It is not effective against dipylidium tapeworms, which are spread by fleas.
Fenbendazole works by interrupting the energy metabolism of parasites, causing them to die. It has been shown to be particularly efficacious against the nematode Aelurostrongylus abstrusus, as well as the cestodes Mesocestoides spp and Heterobilharzia americana, and the trematodes Eucoleus spp and Pearsonema spp. Veterinary medicine compounding allows a veterinarian to prescribe medications tailored specifically for the needs of each patient, which reduces the risk of adverse reactions and improves outcomes.fenbendazole capsules
