Patient Leaflet Updated 16-Aug-2023 | THE BOOTS COMPANY PLC
Boots 2 Years Plus Threadworm Tablets
Boots 2 Years Plus Threadworm Tablets
(Mebendazole)
This medicine is available without prescription to treat threadworm. However, you still need to give it carefully to get the best results from it.
This medicine contains Mebendazole which belongs to a group of medicines called anthelmintics which act to treat worm infections of the gut.
It can be used to treat threadworms (sometimes known as pinworms).
This medicine can be given to children from the age of 2 years and over. However, some children should not be given this medicine or you should seek the advice of their pharmacist or doctor first.
If your child is going to have a blood test, tell your doctor that you have given this medicine.
Information about some of the ingredients: The colour sunset yellow (E110) in this medicine may cause allergic reactions.
This medicine contains less than 1 mmol sodium (23mg) per tablet, that is to say essentially ‘sodium-free’.
Do not take this medicine if you are pregnant. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for advice before taking this medicine if you are breastfeeding.
Before you give this tablet, make sure that you tell your pharmacist about ANY other medicines you might be giving your child at the same time, particularly the following:
If you are unsure about interactions with any other medicines, talk to your pharmacist. This includes medicines prescribed by your doctor and medicine you have bought for your child, including herbal and homeopathic remedies.
Check the foil is not broken before use. If it is, do not give that tablet.
The tablets are orange-flavoured and may be chewed, crushed or swallowed whole.
However, always crush the tablet before giving it to a young child. Always supervise a child while they are taking this medicine.
Children of 2 years and over, and adults: Give one tablet once only.
This medicine is not recommended for children aged under 2 years. It should be given to children aged 1-2 years only under medical supervision and if there are no suitable alternatives.
This medicine will kill threadworms. However, it may not destroy their eggs which can cause reinfection and also infect other people. In cases of reinfection, a second tablet may be given or taken after 2 weeks.
It is therefore recommended that all members of the family (except pregnant or breastfeeding women or children under 2 years), living in the same house, are treated at the same time and that precautions are taken to prevent reinfection (see “All about Threadworms” and “What else should I do” on the back of the leaflet for further information). Do not give more than the amount recommended above.
You must talk to a doctor if your child does not feel better or feels worse after a few days.
If you give too many tablets: Talk to a doctor straight away. Take the medicine and this leaflet with you.
Most people will not have problems, but some may get some.
If your child gets any of these serious side effects, see a doctor at once:
If your child gets any of the following side effects see your pharmacist or doctor:
Common side effects: (may affect up to 1 in 10 people)
Uncommon side effects: (may affect up to 1 in 100 people)
Rare side effects: (may affect up to 1 in 1000 people)
Very rare side effects: (may affect up to 1 in 10,000 people)
* observed in higher and prolonged doses
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.
Keep this medicine out of the sight and reach of children.
Do not use this medicine after the expiry date which is stated on the carton after ‘USE BY’.
The expiry date refers to the last day of that month. Do not throw away any medicines via wastewater or household waste. Ask your pharmacist how to throw away medicines you no longer use. These measures will help protect the environment.
These tablets contain Mebendazole 100 mg, which is the active ingredient.
As well as the active ingredient, the tablets also contain microcrystalline cellulose, sodium starch glycolate, talc, maize starch, sodium saccharin, magnesium stearate, cottonseed oil – hydrogenated, colloidal anhydrous silica, sodium laurilsulfate, sunset yellow (E110), flavour (orange). (For further information on some of the ingredients see “Other important information”).
The pack contains 4 pale orange tablets.
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This leaflet was last revised in May 2023
If you would like any further information about this medicine, please contact The Boots Company PLC Nottingham NG2 3AA
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Product name: Boots 2 Years Plus Threadworm Tablets
Reference number: 15513/0314
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All about Threadworms
(Enterobius vermicularis)
Threadworms are the most common worm infestation affecting humans in the UK. They are particularly common in children. Up to 40 percent of children under 10 years are estimated to suffer from threadworms at any one time.
Threadworms live in the bowel. The females grow to about half an inch long (10 mm). This makes them look like tiny threads of white cotton - hence their popular name "threadworms".
Threadworms can be difficult to detect. The first signs are likely to be itching and irritation around the anal area, particularly at night. This is when the female worm lays her eggs. A child may also become irritable from disturbed sleep or bedwetting, or suffer from tummy aches and loss of appetite.
Normally threadworms cause no problems other than itching, which can be distressing and embarrassing. Complications from threadworms are unusual, though girls may develop an infection in the vaginal area or urinary passage. If your child is showing any signs of vaginal irritation, discharge, cystitis or bedwetting, you should see your doctor.
The first thing to be assured of is that having threadworms doesn't mean that you, or your family are not clean. In fact, children are more likely to pick up threadworms at school than at home. Threadworm eggs are very widespread and so small that they can't be seen with the naked eye.
They are often found in house dust, bedding, clothes, towels, on furniture or toys, unwashed salad vegetables and sometimes contaminated food.
Once the eggs are on the hands, they are easily transferred to the mouth and swallowed. In the bowel the eggs hatch and the mature female threadworms crawl through the anus to lay more eggs. When the child scratches, eggs are picked up under the fingernails.
These find their way onto toys or other objects or pass straight into the mouth when the child sucks its fingers or bites its nails. Quite often other members of the family can become infected and once a pattern of infection and reinfection has been established, the correct treatment is needed to break the cycle.
Yes. It is strongly recommended that all members of the family are treated at the same time as a precaution against reinfection. If a family member is pregnant, planning to become pregnant or breastfeeding, or if there's a child under 2 years old, a threadworm tablet should not be taken, and you should see your doctor for advice.
As well as a threadworm tablet, you'll need to take some extra precautions to guard against reinfection. The eggs are taken into the body through the mouth, so it pays to be particularly careful with hygiene.
General Advice
To help against reinfection
The lifecycle of an adult threadworm can be as long as six weeks, so it's wise to continue with these measures for at least six weeks after treatment. If reinfection is suspected, further treatment may be required. If you have any concerns or want further advice talk to your pharmacist or doctor.
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