Emverm®

What is Emverm?

Emverm is a prescription-only medication used to treat pinworm infections (sometimes known as threadworm). It contains mebendazole, an anthelmintic (or antihelminthic) medicine that has been used for over 40 years to treat various intestinal parasites.^[1]

Pinworm infections are highly contagious and commonly affect children, caregivers, and people living in close quarters. It’s a common infection that affects over 1 billion people every year.^[1] Pinworm infections can spread through contaminated hands, bedding, clothing, and surfaces.

Emverm is designed to work quickly, eliminating pinworms in just one dose.

How does Emverm work?

Emverm contains mebendazole, which belongs to a class of medicines called anthelmintics. Emverm works by targeting and killing off the parasitic worms by blocking their ability to absorb glucose (sugar), which is their main energy source. Without this glucose, the worms lose their ability to move, meaning they can’t grow or reproduce, and eventually die.^[1]

Because mebendazole is poorly absorbed into the bloodstream, it stays in the intestines where the pinworms are located. This makes it a highly effective treatment for pinworm, with minimal side effects.^[1] Your body then naturally gets rid of the dead worms through your bowel movements.

What forms of Emverm are there?

Emverm comes in the form of a chewable 100mg tablet, which can be chewed, swallowed whole, or crushed and mixed with food or water to make it easier to swallow. Most people only need one dose, but if your symptoms persist, a second dose might be prescribed two to three weeks later.

How to take Emverm?

Take Emverm exactly as your healthcare provider advises. You can take it with or without food, and the tablets can be chewed, swallowed, or even crushed and mixed with food if that’s easier for you. Just make sure to follow your healthcare provider’s instructions for the best results.

How long does it take Emverm to work?

Emverm should start to work straight away, and most people see their symptoms improve within a few days as the worms die and are expelled from the body.

However, itching and discomfort might continue for a short time after you begin treatment, as irritation from pinworm eggs can continue even after the worms are gone. If you’re still experiencing symptoms three weeks after your first treatment, speak to a healthcare provider.

Since pinworm eggs can survive on surfaces for up to three weeks, it’s important to practice good hygiene to stop them recurring,^[1] including:

• Washing your hands regularly
• Keeping fingernails short and clean
• Changing and washing bedding, towels, and underwear frequently
• Cleaning household surfaces and vacuuming floors

What should I do if I make a mistake when taking Emverm?

Emverm is typically a single-dose treatment, so forgetting to take it is unlikely. If your doctor prescribes a second dose, take it as soon as you can. Emverm is prescribed as one 100mg tablet, so you shouldn’t be able to take too much of it. If you do though, talk to a doctor. Too much Emverm can cause vomiting, diarrhea, stomach cramps, or nausea.