Thiabendazole
Brand and Other Names:
Mintezol
Mechanism of Action:
Indications:
Route:
Dose:
Adverse Reactions:
Contraindication:
Warnings and Precautions:
FDA approved, but only as an antiparasitic medication, not for any new uses or current cosmetic/antifungal claims.
GOOGLE OVERVIEW
Thiabendazole is a broad-spectrum antihelminthic and antifungal agent with several applications. It is used to treat parasitic worm infections in humans and animals, and as a fungicide to prevent fungal growth on fruits and vegetables, as well as in various other applications like seed treatment and post-harvest treatment.
Key Uses:
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Anthelmintic:.Thiabendazole is used to treat various parasitic worm infections, including strongyloidiasis, cutaneous larva migrans, and visceral larva migrans. It is also used to treat infections caused by threadworms, pinworms, hookworms, whipworms, roundworms, and trichinosis.
Antifungal:
It acts as a fungicide to prevent fungal growth on fruits and vegetables after harvest, and is also used as a seed treatment. Thiabendazole can be found as a component in various formulations like dusts, flowable concentrates, and emulsifiable concentrates.
Other Applications:
Thiabendazole is also used in veterinary medicine, as a preservative in paints, carpets, adhesives, and textiles, and even as a heavy metal chelating detoxification agent.
Important Considerations:
Side Effects:
Thiabendazole can cause minor side effects such as dizziness, nausea, and gastrointestinal upset. More severe adverse events, including liver disease and hypersensitivity reactions, are also possible.
Availability:
While thiabendazole has been largely replaced by other antihelmintic medications in some areas, it is still available in many countries, particularly for veterinary use.
Mechanism of Action:
Thiabendazole works by inhibiting a key enzyme (fumarate reductase) in the mitochondria of helminths, disrupting their energy production and ultimately leading to their death.
Historical Context:
Thiabendazole was first registered as a pesticide in the US in 1969.
It was initially widely used for treating parasitic infections in humans and animals, and as a fungicide.
Due to the availability of newer, better-tolerated medications, thiabendazole has seen a decline in its use in some areas.
See package insert for full prescribing information.