Pharmacy Guide
Patient leaflets and SmPCs, drug interaction checker, official dosages and NHS pharmacy opening hours — all in one place.
Pharmacy Guide
Patient leaflets and SmPCs, drug interaction checker, official dosages and NHS pharmacy opening hours — all in one place.
Vermox 100 mg/5 ml oral suspension
⚠ This medicine appears to have been discontinued
The electronic medicines compendium (emc) no longer publishes a Summary of Product Characteristics for this product, which usually means it is no longer marketed in the UK. The patient leaflet below is kept for reference, but the product may not be available.
If you were prescribed this medicine, other products containing Mebendazole may still be available. Do not stop your treatment — ask your pharmacist or GP what to use instead.
What it is and what it is used for
for The name of your medicine is Vermox 100 mg/5 ml oral suspension (referred to as Vermox suspension in this leaflet). It contains a medicine called mebendazole. It is one of a group of medicines called 'anthelmintics'. Vermox suspension is used to treat worm infections of the gut such as: threadworms (pinworms) other common worm infections (such as whipworm, roundworm, hookworm) This medicine is for use in adults and children aged over 2 years. You or your child has been advised to take Vermox suspension because you have a worm infection. Worms can infect anyone. It does not necessarily mean that your hygiene is poor. To stop you and your family infecting others or re-infecting yourselves, follow the advice below for at least six weeks: Keep nails short Discourage nail biting or finger sucking Wear pyjamas or underclothes in bed In the mornings, wash your bottom thoroughly Use a separate towel for each person in the house Change clothes regularly Wash and iron bed linen regularly Wash hands and nails well after using the toilet and before meals
2. Before you use Vermox suspension Do not use Vermox suspension if: You are allergic to anything in Vermox suspension (listed in section 6 below) You are pregnant Do not use this medicine if any of the above applies to you. If you are not sure, talk to your doctor or pharmacist before using Vermox suspension. Warnings and precautions
Vermox suspension should not be given to children under 2 years of age Vermox should only be given to younger children if your doctor has specifically prescribed it. Your doctor will decide whether Vermox is suitable for your child. You must follow the doctor's instructions carefully. Convulsions (seizures) have been reported, including in infants. Vermox should only be given to children under 2 year of age if your doctor has specifically prescribed it.
Taking other medicines Please tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking or have recently taken any other medicines. This includes medicines that you buy without a prescription, herbal medicines, dietary supplements or vitamins. In particular tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking: Metronidazole – for certain infections Cimetidine – for excess stomach acidity Talk to your doctor before using Vermox suspension if you are taking any of these medicines. Pregnancy and breast-feeding Do not take Vermox suspension if you are pregnant, think you may be pregnant or might become pregnant Ask your doctor or pharmacist for advice 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. Important information about some of the ingredients of Vermox suspension Vermox suspension contains Sucrose. If your doctor has told you that you are intolerant of some sugars, contact them before taking this medicine Methyl parahydroxybenzoate (E218) and propyl parahydroxybenzoate (E216). This may cause an allergic reaction. This reaction may happen some time after you have taken Vermox suspension This medicine contains less than 1 mmol sodium (23 mg) per mL, that is to say essentially 'sodium-free'.
3. How to use Vermox suspension
Always use Vermox suspension exactly as your doctor has told you. You should check with your doctor or pharmacist if you are not sure. Using this medicine Take this medicine by mouth The dose will depend on which type of worm you have Always shake the bottle thoroughly before use Use the 5 ml cup in the pack to measure the dose Always supervise a child if they are taking this medicine You do not need to use a laxative or change your diet Consider using Vermox oral suspension for patients such as young children who are unable to swallow the tablet Vermox should only be given to children under 2 year of age if your doctor has specifically prescribed it. How much you should take Adults and children over 2 years old For threadworms (pinworms): one 5 ml measuring cup (or spoonful) of suspension A single dose of Vermox suspension will kill threadworms. Your doctor may tell you to take a second dose after 2 weeks in case of re-infection. For other common worm infections: one 5 ml measuring cup (or spoonful) of suspension two times a day (morning and evening) for three consecutive days or as directed by your doctor Directions for opening the bottle: The bottle comes with a child-proof cap, and should be opened as follows: push the plastic screw cap down, while turning it counter clockwise.
How to take it
the measuring cup: Use the measuring cup just as it sits on the bottle. Make sure that the side with the graduation (the side that holds less) is uppermost; that is the side you have to fill. When the arrow on the side points up, the correct side is uppermost. Fill the dosing cup until the 5 mL line is reached. If you take more Vermox suspension than you should
If you take more Vermox suspension than you should, talk to a doctor or go to the nearest hospital casualty department straight away. If you forget to take Vermox suspension 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 have any further questions on the use of this product, ask your doctor or pharmacist.
Possible side effects
Like all medicines, Vermox suspension can cause side effects, although not everybody gets them. Stop using Vermox suspension and tell your doctor straight away if you notice or suspect the following serious side effects. You may need urgent medical treatment. 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) Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you notice any of the following side effects: Common (affects less than 1 in 10 people) Stomach pain Uncommon (affects less than 1 in 100 people) Stomach discomfort Diarrhoea Wind Feeling sick (nausea) or being sick (vomiting) Rare (affects less than 1 in 1,000 people) Rash Inflammation of the liver Changes in liver enzymes (shown in blood tests) Inflammation of the kidneys (when treated for dog tapeworm or fox tapeworm) Reduction in white blood cells (shown in blood tests). You may get more infections (when treated for dog tapeworm or fox tapeworm) Unusual hair loss Dizziness Reporting of side effects If you get any side effects, talk to your doctor, pharmacist or nurse. This includes any possible side effects not listed in this leaflet. You can also report side effects
directly via the Yellow Card Scheme at: www.mhra.gov.uk/yellowcard or search for MHRA Yellow Card in the Google Play or Apple App Store. By reporting side effects you can help provide more information on the safety of this medicine.
How to store it
Vermox suspension
Keep out of the sight and reach of children Shake well before use Do not use Vermox suspension after the expiry date which is stated on the label. The expiry date refers to the last day of that month There are no special storage conditions Medicines should not be disposed of via wastewater or household waste. These measures will help protect the environment. Return any leftover Vermox suspension to your pharmacist
6. Further information The active substance in Vermox suspension is mebendazole. Each millilitre (ml) contains 20 mg of mebendazole. The other ingredients are sucrose, microcrystalline cellulose and carmellose sodium, methylcellulose, methyl parahydroxybenzoate (E218), propyl parahydroxybenzoate (E216), sodium laurilsulfate, banana flavour, citric acid monohydrate and purified water. What Vermox suspension looks like and contents of the pack Vermox suspension is a white banana flavoured liquid supplied in 30 ml bottles with a measuring cup marked for 2.5 ml and 5 ml. The product licence is held by: JANSSEN-CILAG LTD, 50-100 Holmers Farm Way, High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire HP12 4EG, UK Vermox suspension is made by: Janssen Pharmaceutica NV, Turnhoutseweg 30, B-2340 Beerse, Belgium Lusomedicamenta Sociedade Tecnica Farmaceutica S.A. Estrada Consiglieri Pedroso 69 B, Queluz De Baixo, Barcarena, 2730-055, Portugal
For information in large print, tape, CD or Braille, telephone 0800 7318450. This leaflet was last revised in September 2025.
7. Further advice regarding worms Threadworms (pinworms) produce large numbers of tiny eggs. They may be present in house dust and can stick to clothing, carpets, towels and bed linen.
They can also be picked up by contact with someone who already has worms. Because the eggs are so small, it is very easy for them to be swallowed. Then they pass into the bowel where they grow into worms. The female lays her eggs at night around the bottom. It is this that causes the "itchy bottom" and leads to scratching. The eggs are then transferred to the fingers and finger nails, and can easily get into the mouth by finger sucking or nail biting. The life cycle of an adult worm can be as long as six weeks.
Frequently asked questions about Vermox 100 mg/5 ml oral suspension
How do I take Vermox 100 mg/5 ml oral suspension?
Vermox 100 mg/5 ml oral suspension comes as oral solution containing 100mg / 5ml. Always follow the dose your doctor or pharmacist has given you, and read the leaflet that comes with the medicine.
What is the active substance in Vermox 100 mg/5 ml oral suspension?
The active substance in Vermox 100 mg/5 ml oral suspension is mebendazole.
Where does this information come from?
This leaflet reproduces the patient information leaflet approved for Vermox 100 mg/5 ml oral suspension, as published on the electronic medicines compendium (emc). The version printed inside your medicine’s packaging is the one that applies to you.
Can I get Vermox 100 mg/5 ml oral suspension without a prescription?
Whether a medicine is available over the counter or on prescription only depends on its licence. Check the leaflet, or ask your pharmacist — they can tell you straight away.
About this leaflet
The text above reproduces the patient information leaflet approved for this medicine, restructured for easier reading.
- Source: electronic medicines compendium (emc), Datapharm
- Active substance: mebendazole
- Official document: view the original leaflet on emc →
⚕For healthcare professionals — Summary of Product Characteristics (SmPC)Full SmPC: dosage, interactions, contraindications, warnings+
4.1. Therapeutic indications
Broad spectrum gastrointestinal anthelmintic indicated for the treatment of:
Enterobius vermicularis (threadworm/pinworm)
Oxyuris vermicularis
Trichuris trichuria (whipworm)
Ascaris lumbricoides (large roundworm)
Ancylostoma duodenale (common hookworm)
Necator americanus (American hookworm)
There is no evidence that Vermox is effective in the treatment of cysticercosis.
4.2. Posology and method of administration
Adults and children over 2 years:
Enterobiasis:
1 x 5 ml (1 dosing cup).
It is highly recommended that a second dose is taken after 2 weeks, if reinfection is suspected.
Ascariasis, trichuriasis, ancylostomiasis, necatoriasis and mixed infections:
1 x 5 ml (1 dosing cup) bd for three days.
Children under 2 years:
Vermox has not been extensively studied in children below the age of 2 years.
Currently available data are described in section 4.4, 4.8 and 5.2, but no recommendations on a posology can be made.
Because of the lack of sufficient safety data, Vermox should not be used in children below the age of 1 year (see section 4.4, 4.8 and 5.2).
Method of administration.
Oral Use
Vermox oral suspension should be considered for patients such as young children who are unable to swallow the tablet.
4.3. Contraindications
Vermox is contraindicated in pregnancy and in patients who have shown hypersensitivity to the product or any components.
4.4. Special warnings and precautions for use
Not recommended in the treatment of children under 2 years
There have been rare reports of reversible liver function disturbances, hepatitis and neutropenia described in patients who were treated with mebendazole at recommended dosages for indicated conditions (see section 4.8 'Undesirable effects'). Agranulocytosis and glomerulonephritis have also been reported in patients treated for Echinococcosis.
A case-control study of a single outbreak of Stevens-Johnson syndrome /toxic epidermal necrolysis (SJS/TEN) suggested a possible association with the concomitant use of metronidazole with mebendazole. Although there are no additional data on this potential interaction, concomitant use of mebendazole and metronidazole should be avoided.
Convulsions in children, including in infants below 1 year of age, have been reported very rarely during post-marketing experience (see section 4.8 'Undesirable effects'). Vermox has not been extensively studied in children below the age of 2 years. Therefore, Vermox should be used in children aged 1-2 years only if the potential benefit justifies the potential risk.
Because of the lack of sufficient safety data, Vermox should not be used in children below the age of 1 year.
Vermox should only be given to very young children if their worm infestation interferes significantly with their nutritional status and physical development.
Vermox oral suspension contains sucrose. Patients with rare hereditary problems of fructose intolerance, glucose-galactose malabsorption or sucrase-isomaltase insufficiency should not take this medicine.
This medicinal product contains less than 1 mmol sodium (23 mg) per mL, that is to say essentially 'sodium-free'.
4.5. Interaction with other medicinal products and other forms of interaction
Concomitant treatment with cimetidine may inhibit the metabolism of mebendazole in the liver, resulting in increased plasma concentrations of the drug.
Concomitant use of mebendazole and metronidazole should be avoided (see section 4.4).
4.6. Fertility, pregnancy and lactation
Pregnancy
Since Vermox is contraindicated in pregnancy, patients who think they are or may be pregnant should not take this preparation.
Breast-feeding
Limited data from case reports demonstrate that a small amount of mebendazole is present in human milk following oral administration. Therefore, caution should be exercised when Vermox is administered to breast-feeding women.
4.7. Effects on ability to drive and use machines
Vermox has no influence on the ability to drive and use machines.
4.8. Undesirable effects
Throughout this section adverse reactions are reported. Adverse reactions are adverse events that were considered to be reasonably associated with the use of Vermox based on the comprehensive assessment of the available adverse event information. A causal relationship with Vermox cannot be reliably established in individual cases. Further, because clinical trials are conducted under widely varying conditions, adverse reaction rates observed in the clinical trials of a drug cannot be directly compared to rates in the clinical trials of another drug and may not reflect the rates observed in clinical practice.
The safety of Vermox was evaluated in 6276 subjects who participated in 39 clinical trials for the treatment of single or mixed parasitic infestations of the gastrointestinal tract. In these 39 clinical trials, no adverse drug reactions (ADRs) occurred in ≥ 1% of Vermox-treated subjects.
ADRs identified from clinical trials and post-marketing experience with Vermox are included in Table 1. The displayed frequency categories use the following convention:
Very common (≥ 1/10); Common (≥ 1/100 to <1/10); Uncommon (≥ 1/1000 to <1/100); Rare (≥ 1/10,000 to <1/1000); Very rare (<1/10,000), Not known (cannot be estimated from the available data).
Table 1: Adverse Drug Reactions Reported in Clinical Trials and Post-marketing Experience for Vermox
System Organ Class
Adverse Drug Reactions
Frequency Category
Common
(≥ 1/100 to < 1/10)
Uncommon
(≥ 1/1000 to < 1/100)
Rare
(≥ 1/10,000 to <1/1000)
Blood and Lymphatic System Disorders
Neutropeniab
Agranulocytosisb *
Immune System Disorders
Hypersensitivity including anaphylactic reaction and anaphylactoid reactionb
Nervous System Disorders
Convulsionsb
Dizzinessa
Gastrointestinal Disorders
Abdominal paina
Abdominal discomforta;
Diarrhoeaa;Flatulencea
Nauseaa, Vomitinga
Hepatobiliary Disorders
Hepatitis; b
Abnormal liver function testsb
Skin and Subcutaneous Tissue Disorders
Rasha
Toxic epidermal necrolysis b;
Stevens-Johnson syndrome b;
Exanthema b; Angioedema b;
Urticaria b;
Alopecia b
Renal and Urinary Disorders
Glomerulonephritisb *
a ADR frequency data derived from Clinical Trials or Epidemiological Studies
b ADRs not observed in clinical trials and frequency calculated based on 6276 patients exposed in clinical trials and epidemiological studies, divided by 3 (Frequency = 1/2092).
* Observed in patients treated for Echinococcosis
Reporting of suspected adverse reactions
Reporting suspected adverse reactions after authorisation of the medicinal product is important. It allows continued monitoring of the benefit/risk balance of the medicinal product. Healthcare professionals are asked to report any suspected adverse reactions via:
Yellow Card Scheme
Website: www.mhra.gov.uk/yellowcard or search for MHRA Yellow Card in the Google Play or Apple App Store.
4.9. Overdose
Agranulocytosis and glomerulonephritis are adverse reactions for Echinococcosis treatment for which the dosage is higher and used for prolonged periods of time compared with other indications; therefore, these are expected symptoms of overdose for non-Echinococcosis indications (see section 4.8).
Signs and symptoms
In the event of accidental overdosage, abdominal cramps, nausea, vomiting and diarrhoea may occur.
Treatment
There is no specific antidote. Activated charcoal may be given if considered appropriate.
🇷🇴 Known in Romania as
Medicines sold in Romania with the same active substance: Cunoscut în România ca
- PERMAZOLE 100 mg/5 ml prescriptionMEBENDAZOLUM · taken by mouth
- VERMOX 100 mg prescriptionMEBENDAZOLUM · taken by mouth
Same active substance. The strength, the form and whether you need a prescription can differ. Always ask a pharmacist before you switch. Romanian medicines in the UK →
🇵🇱 Known in Poland as
Medicines sold in Poland with the same active substance: W Polsce znany jako
- VermoxMebendazolum · taken by mouth
Same active substance. The strength, the form and whether you need a prescription can differ. Always ask a pharmacist before you switch. Polish medicines in the UK →
💬 Ask about this leaflet
Ask anything about Vermox 100 mg/5 ml oral suspension. The assistant answers only from this leaflet — if the leaflet does not cover it, it will say so. It does not give medical advice.
Answers come from the patient leaflet published on the electronic medicines compendium (emc). They are not medical advice. Ask a pharmacist or your GP if you are unsure. For urgent help call NHS 111, or 999 in an emergency.