Fenbendazole is a commonly prescribed antiparasitic medication for dogs and cats. It is also compounded into a variety of dosage forms for human cancer patients.
This medication has been shown to have cytotoxic activity against EMT6 tumor cells. In combination regimens, it also increases the cytotoxicity of hypoxia-selective nitroheterocyclic cytotoxins/radiosensitizers and taxanes.
What is fenbendazole?
Fenbendazole is an antiparasitic agent that acts by binding to b-tubulin and disrupting its polymerization. It also has cytostatic and antitumor activity in in vitro assays.
This benzimidazole dewormer is commonly used to treat and prevent intestinal parasites in dogs, including roundworms, hookworms, whipworms, giardia, and lungworms. It is often prescribed for puppies, as it is a slow-kill drug that allows the intestinal tract to adjust and eliminate the worms.
A video was posted on Facebook and TikTok in February 2023 by an unlicensed veterinarian from British Columbia who claimed that a deworming medication used to treat dogs cured him of small-cell lung cancer. While some studies have found that animal anthelmintics could potentially cure cancer in humans, no peer-reviewed study has yet confirmed this claim. However, research is ongoing into this possibility.
How does fenbendazole work?
Fenbendazole works by preventing the parasite from building up energy, thus inhibiting their growth. It is also thought to interfere with glucose metabolism, which the parasites use for cell division.
The most common use for fenbendazole is to treat gastrointestinal helminth (worm) infestations in dogs and cats. It is effective against roundworms, hookworms, whipworms, and certain types of tapeworms, including the Taenia species. It is also a good treatment for Giardia, an intestinal protozoan that can cause diarrhea in humans and pets. It is not, however, effective against heartworms, which are transmitted by mosquitoes and dwell in the major blood vessels surrounding the heart as well as the hearts themselves.
Some cats may experience temporary diarrhea after a course of fenbendazole, but this is usually due to the presence of dead worms in the stool. In general, fenbendazole is very well tolerated by most pets and can be administered with food to minimize any possible adverse reactions, such as vomiting or drooling.
What are the side effects of fenbendazole?
Fenbendazole is well tolerated by most pets and typically doesn’t cause any significant side effects. It’s an effective dewormer that’s commonly used in dogs to treat various parasites, including roundworms, hookworms, whipworms, lungworm, flukes and Giardia. It can be given to cats for a variety of gastrointestinal parasites as well, though this is off label and should only be done under the supervision of your veterinarian.
This medication can be found in powder, tablet, chew and liquid suspension forms, and it’s usually prescribed to be administered orally. It’s best to give it with food to reduce gastrointestinal upset.
A compounding pharmacy may make a custom formulation of fenbendazole for your pet, depending on their unique needs. This is done if your pet can’t take an FDA-approved medication in capsule form, or if they have a food allergy to a certain ingredient. It’s also a good option if your pet needs a higher dosage strength than what’s available commercially.
Is fenbendazole safe for humans?
Fenbendazole is a broad-spectrum benzimidazole anthelmintic. It is used to treat and/or prevent gastrointestinal parasites in dogs, including giardia. It also has been used to treat lungworms in dogs. It is safe and well-tolerated by humans, especially when given under a veterinarian’s supervision. It can be combined with other supplements to treat additional parasites in pets. It is available in pill and capsule form for pets, and can be compounded by a veterinarian when commercial products are not suitable.
While animal anthelmintics have been shown to have anti-cancer effects, it is important to work with an integrative healthcare professional when using this drug in humans. Ingesting animal anthelmintics, such as fenbendazole, for prolonged periods of time has not been scientifically documented and may lead to side effects in some people. In addition, it is important to be aware of the potential for unsubstantiated information on social media websites and other online sources. This can affect the accuracy and quality of medical information.fenbendazole capsules
