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Mintezol (thiabendazole, MSD)
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PLEASE READ ALL OF THIS LEAFLET CAREFULLY BEFORE YOU START TO TAKE YOUR TABLETS.
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Keep this leaflet. You may want to read it again.
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What is in your tablets?
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Active ingredient
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The active ingredient in your tablets is thiabendazole. Mintezol is available as orange-coloured, chewable tablets marked 'MSD 907', containing 500 mg of thiabendazole BP.
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Other ingredients
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Acacia EP, calcium hydrogen phosphate EP, lactose EP, magnesium stearate EP, mannitol EP, methylcellulose EP, imitation orange flavour, imitation vanilla marshmallow flavour, sunset yellow E110.
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Mintezol Tablets are available in blister packs of 6 tablets.
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How do your tablets work?
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The active ingredient in your tablets is thiabendazole. This belongs to a group of medicines known as anthelmintics, and it is effective against certain worms which are parasites in humans. Thiabendazole kills the adult or larval form or the eggs of different worms.
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Who makes your tablets?
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Your tablets are made by Merck Manufacturing Division, Merck Sharp &amp; Dohme Limited, Shotton Lane, Cramlington, Northumberland, for Merck Sharp &amp; Dohme Limited, Hoddesdon, Hertfordshire, UK, who hold the Product Licence in the UK and the Product Authorisation in Ireland.
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Why do you need to take these tablets?
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Your doctor has probably prescribed Mintezol for you because you have certain types of worms living in your body. These worms usually live in your gut but may be found elsewhere in your body. Mintezol may be given on its own or with other medication.
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Are there patients who should not take these tablets?
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Yes, do not take the tablets if:
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you are or think you may be pregnant.
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you are breast-feeding.
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you have had a bad reaction to this or similar medicines, or to any of the ingredients in the past.
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Experience of using Mintezol in children weighing less than 15 kg (33 lb) is limited.
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If you think any of these apply to you do not take the tablets, go and talk to your doctor first and follow his advice.
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What else should you know before taking your tablets?
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You should tell your doctor if you have or have had any disorder of the liver, kidneys or nervous system. Your doctor will probably want to take blood and/or urine samples during treatment to monitor your liver and/or kidneys.
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You should tell your doctor if you are planning to become pregnant. If you are anaemic, dehydrated or malnourished, your doctor will probably treat these conditions before you start taking Mintezol.
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You should not take Mintezol to prevent you from getting worms.
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What about driving and operating machinery?
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Since Mintezol may reduce alertness in some patients, you should avoid hazardous activities like driving, or operating machinery.
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If you are unsure or confused, talk to your doctor or pharmacist.
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Can you take Mintezol with other medicines?
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There are a few other medicines which may interfere with Mintezol. Your doctor knows about these and will alter your treatment as needed. It is important that you tell your doctor about all the medicines you <CB n=2> are taking, including those obtained without a doctor's prescription.
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You must tell your doctor if you are taking any medicines which contain xanthine derivatives such as theophylline (for example, for asthma, bronchitis emphysema or certain heart conditions).
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How should you take Mintezol?
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You must take your tablets exactly as advised by your doctor. You should take the tablets with meals and chew them before swallowing. You do not need to follow a special diet, and cleansing enemas are not necessary.
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The usual recommended schedule is 2 doses every day. The size of the dose depends on your bodyweight. Each dose for patients weighing less than 60 kg (132 lb) is 25 mg thiabendazole per kilogramme of patient's weight. Each dose for patients weighing 60 kg or more is 1.5 9 thiabendazole, with a maximum daily dose of 3 9 (6 tablets). The table below will show you the number of tablets per dose, according to your weight.
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Patients weightDose (twice daily)
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kglbNo. of tablets 1022&#189; 20441 30661&#189; 40882 501102&#189; 60 (or more)132 (or more)3
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Your doctor will have told you for how long to take Mintezol. This is usually one to seven days, depending on the type of worm infection. A repeat course may be given if necessary. It is important that you follow your doctor's instructions carefully.
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Some patients may have side effects on 2 doses a day. If that is the case, your doctor may prescribe a single dose of 25 mg per kg of bodyweight after the main meal on the first day, then the same dose again 24 hours later after a similar meal.
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What if you forget to take a tablet or take too many?
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If you miss a dose take the next one with the next meal. Do not take an extra one to make up.
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If you take too many tablets by mistake seek medical attention immediately.
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What unwanted effects could your tablets have?
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Like all medicines, Mintezol may occasionally cause side effects in some patients. The most common side effects are loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting and dizziness. Other less frequent side effects are diarrhoea, abdominal pain, itching, headache, weariness, giddiness, numbness, and drowsiness. Rare side effects which have occurred are blood disorders of which the symptoms may be fever and/or sore throat, ringing or other noises in the ears, visual disturbances including blurred or reduced vision, yellow vision, dry or red eye, irritability, increased blood sugar which may cause thirst, sweating, or passing large volumes of urine, urinary incontinence and bed wetting, blood in the urine, faintness, collapse, liver disorders (causing yellowing of eyes and skin),anal rash, convulsions, dry mouth and eyes, confusional states, mood swings, nightmares. Urine may have a characteristic odour similar to that which occurs after eating asparagus. In one isolated case, worms were seen in the mouth and nose of the patient.
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Allergic reactions to Mintezol include fever, facial flush, chills, sudden difficulty breathing and swallowing, collapse, swollen lips, face and neck, eye irritation, rashes, swollen glands.
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If you notice any of the above effects or you have any other unusual symptoms or feelings, stop taking Mintezol and contact your doctor immediately.
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How should your tablets be kept?
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Keep your tablets out of the reach of children.
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Keep them out of direct sunlight and in a cool place (below 25°C).
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Do not transfer the tablets into another container as <PB n=2> <CB n=1> they might get mixed up. If you have any tablets left over when your doctor tells you to stop taking them, then return them to the pharmacist.
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Do not take the tablets past the expiry date which is clearly marked on the pack.
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REMEMBER, this medicine is for you. Do not share it with anyone else. It may not suit them.
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Date of issue: 1994.
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How can you obtain more information about Mintezol?
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This leaflet gives you some of the most important patient information about Mintezol. If you have any questions after you have read it, ask your doctor or pharmacist, who will give you further information.
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 denotes registered trademark of Merck &amp; Co., Inc., Whitehouse Station, NJ, USA.
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&copy; Merck Sharp &amp; Dohme Limited, 1994. All rights reserved.
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