The active ingredient in Vermox is mebendazole.

This is an anthelmintic agent, meaning an agent designed to destroy parasitic intestinal pinworms / threadworms, that acts to inhibit the absorption of sugars by the worms. 

It does this by interfering with the proteins in either the worms intestine or its absorptive cells, therefore starving it of the energy necessary to survive.

Vermox suspension (liquid) is available in a 15ml bottle of banana flavoured suspension containing 5ml of mebendazole.

Directions

Shake suspension well before using.

Children (2-12 years) &adults: One 5mL metric measuring spoonful of suspension.

No body weight measurements or dosage calculations are required.

Ingredients

The active ingredient Vermox is mebendazole. The inactive ingredients of the tablets are colloidal silicon dioxide, sodium starch glycolate, corn starch, hydrogenated vegetable oil, magnesium stearate, microcrystalline cellulose, sodium lauryl sulfate, saccharin sodium, talc, tetrarome orange and FD&C yellow No. 6. Vermox suspension contains sucrose, methyl hydroxybenzoate and propyl hydroxybenzoate.

Warnings

In rare cases involving very heavy pinworm / threadworm infestations a Vermox treatment can produce transient symptoms including diarrhoea and abdominal pain. Other possible side effects are rare because mebendazole is poorly absorbed by the intestine but may include a loss of appetite, vomiting, drowsiness, headache or dizziness.

There are few precautions regarding Vermox. It should not be taken by children under two years of age and it should not be taken during pregnancy. If you are unsure about either of these restrictions then you should consult with a health professional.

You should not take Vermox if you are allergic to, or have a hypersensitivity to, any of its ingredients. Symptoms of an allergic reaction may include swelling, extreme dizziness or difficulty breathing.

Caution is required if you suffer from acute liver disease or are taking the anti-ulcer medication Cimetidine. In either of these cases, long-term treatment with mebendazole can lead to an excessive plasma concentration in the blood when the liver does not breakdown the mebendazole sufficiently.

Caution should also be taken if you using the anticonvulsant Carbamazepine.