How quickly does mebendazole work?

Mebendazole works by preventing the threadworms absorbing sugar, which means they should die within a few days. This medication is 90-100% effective at killing the threadworms, but it doesn’t eliminate the eggs. This is why the hygiene measures outlined below should also be followed for 6 weeks.

What happens to worms after taking mebendazole?

Mebendazole kills worms that cause gut infections such as threadworm (sometimes known as pinworm) and other less common worm infections (whipworm, roundworm and hookworm). It works by stopping the worms using sugar (glucose). Without glucose, the cells of the worms lose their energy supply and quickly die.

When should I take mebendazole?

Mebendazole is best taken with meals, especially fatty ones (eg, meals that include whole milk or ice cream). This helps to clear up the infection by helping your body absorb the medicine better.