Ovex Tablets & Suspension

What is Ovex?

Ovex is a brand of medicine used to treat threadworms which contains the active ingredient Mebendazole. Mebendazole is an anthelmintic or anti-worm medication. Ovex tablets and suspension should only be taken orally.

Mebendazole is most commonly used to treat threadworms, however it is also sometimes used to treat other worm infections such as; whipworm, roundworm and hookworm.

What is Ovex used for?

Ovex can be bought over-the-counter without a prescription to effectively treat worm infections in the gut for those over the age of 2 years. For children under the age of 2 years who have suspected worm infections, they will need a prescription from their doctor before using Ovex.

What are threadworms?

Threadworms are tiny white parasitic worms that when swallowed live and lay eggs in the bowel.

Threadworms are most commonly found in children but someone of any age can catch them. It is predicted that around 40% of children under 10 years old in the UK are likely to be infected at one time.

Mature threadworms lay their eggs at night around the anal area, which causes the most common symptom of threadworms that is itching around the anus.

The scratching of the anus often leads to the transmission of threadworms as the eggs are then spread to the fingernails which can then be transferred onto household objects and then swallowed.

Threadworm eggs are very tiny and are very easily transferred onto clothes, food, objects and therefore it is advised that if one member of the family is suspected to have a threadworm infection, then the whole family receives treatment even if they do not currently have any symptoms. It can take 2-6 weeks for symptoms to appear after the eggs are ingested.

How does Ovex work?

Mebendazole is part of a group of medicines known as anthelmintic or anti-worm. Mebendazole works by preventing the worms from being able to absorb the sugars from your body, which they need to survive.

The worms rely on our bodies sugars for energy when the worms are therefore deprived of sugars they can no longer survive and will die. Within 3 days, the dead worms will normally be excreted in stools from the gut.

It is important to note that Ovex is only effective at killing the adult worms and not the eggs. It is therefore important to practice the following good hygiene tips during and after Ovex treatment (at least 6 weeks) to avoid swallowing threadworm eggs again and becoming reinfected.

1. Keep nails short and avoid biting or sucking fingers
2. Wear pyjamas to bed
3. Wash around the bottom thoroughly each morning
4. Each household member should use a separate towel
5. Change clothes and bedding regularly
6. Thoroughly wash hands and nails after using the toilet and before each meal

How long does Ovex take to work?

Ovex should start to work after just one dose and starts working straight away, however, the treatment can take up to 3 days to successfully kill the mature worms and for them to be excreted in your stool.

Ovex does not kill the threadworm eggs so it is important to practise good personal hygiene for at least 6 weeks after you commence treatment to avoid re-infection to yourself and also to avoid infecting others.

If you notice that yourself or someone else has become reinfected with threadworms it is important to speak to your doctor or pharmacist who may suggest taking another course of Ovex after 2 weeks.

How long does Ovex stay in your system?

Ovex starts to deprive the worms of sugars almost as soon as it is consumed but it can take up to 3 days for the mature dead worms to be excreted in the stool.

How long does it take for threadworms to die after taking Ovex?

Ovex will start to deprive the threadworms of the sugars they need to survive almost straight away after consumption. It can, however, take up to 3 days for the mature worms to die and to be excreted in the stool.

Ovex dosage

For information on the dosage of Ovex please see the Directions section.

Can you take too much Ovex?

Taking too much of any medication can be harmful and therefore you must read the Patient Information Leaflet thoroughly before starting your treatment. For more information about Ovex dosages please go to the Directions section.

Taking more Ovex than is advised may also increase your chances of experiencing unwanted side effects. For more information on side effects please see our Ovex Side Effects section.

If you are worried about having taken too much Ovex or any unwanted side effects contact a doctor or pharmacist.

Ovex side effects

The most common side effects people report when taking Ovex is stomach pain this may affect up to 1 in 10 people who receive treatment. For more information regarding side effects see our Ovex side effects section.

Ovex in pregnancy

Ovex is not suitable for people who are pregnant or breastfeeding. If you are concerned that you may have a worm infection and are pregnant or breastfeeding, speak to your doctor or pharmacist for advice.

Sources

• https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/threadworms/
• https://www.ukmeds.co.uk/blog/how-long-does-vermox-take-to-cure-threadworm
• https://www.nhs.uk/medicines/mebendazole/
• Ovex Suspension Patient Information Leaflet: https://www.medicines.org.uk/emc/product/75/pil
• Ovex Tablets Patient Information Leaflet: https://www.medicines.org.uk/emc/product/1766/pil

Ovex dosage

Ovex can be purchased as either a banana flavour suspension or as a tablet from The Independent Pharmacy.

Ovex Suspension and Tablets are for oral use only.

Ovex Suspension: Adults and children over 2 years of age take one 5ml dose.

Ovex Tablets: Adults and children over 2 years of age chew or swallow 1 tablet with a whole drink.

Each household member should also take the same single dose even if they are not currently experiencing symptoms.

Do not take both tablets and suspension at the same time as this will count as a double dose and is likely to increase chances of experiencing unwanted side effects.

If symptoms return after your initial treatment, your doctor or pharmacist may advise you and all your household members to take a second single dose after 2 weeks.

Ovex double dose

Taking a double dose of Ovex is not likely to be harmful however it increases your chances of experiencing unwanted side effects. For more information please see the Ovex side effects section.

In some cases symptoms may return after an initial course of treatment, this is because Ovex does not kill the threadworm eggs and it is likely you have become re-infected.

If you think you may have been re-infected with threadworms, speak to a doctor or pharmacist who will likely advise taking a second single dose of Ovex 2 weeks after your initial treatment.

To reduce your chances of reinfection it is important to practice good personal hygiene for at least 6 weeks after treatment. For some top tips on personal hygiene when using Ovex, see our Description section.

Ovex ingredients

Ovex suspension contains the active ingredient Mebendazole (100mg per 5 ml).

Ovex tablets contain 100mg of Mebendazole per tablet.

For further information on the full list of inactive ingredients including allergen information please ensure you have read the Patient Information Leaflet thoroughly.

Ovex side effects

Like with all medication it is possible to experience some side effects when being treated with Ovex. Not everyone will experience the same side-effects and some people may not be affected at all.

One in 10 people will report experiencing:

• Stomach pain

One in 100 people will report also experiencing:

• Diarrhoea
• Wind

If you experience side effects you should stop taking this medication and speak to your doctor or pharmacist.

For the full list of possible side effects see the Patient Information Leaflet. It is essential when purchasing Ovex that you read this leaflet thoroughly.

Ovex - worms still moving

It can take up to 3 days for Ovex to kill mature threadworms and for them to be excreted in your stool.

If you continue to notice active worms in your stool a week after taking Ovex you should speak to a doctor or pharmacist as they may advise you to take a second dose after 2 weeks.

Ovex warnings

Ovex should not be taken at the same time as certain antibiotics as this can cause serious skin reactions. See the patient information leaflet for further details.

Ovex and driving

Ovex should not affect your ability to drive or operate heavy machinery. If you are concerned about your ability to drive while taking this medication speak to a doctor or pharmacist.

Ovex in pregnancy and breastfeeding

Ovex is not suitable for the treatment of worms in those that are pregnant or breastfeeding. Speak to your doctor or pharmacist for advice if you believe you have worms or a household member currently has symptoms.

Please be aware this is not an exhaustive list of Warnings. For full details on Warnings and Precautions surrounding the administration of Ovex, please read the Patient Information Leaflet.