Flubendazole and mebendazole in the treatment of trichuriasis and other helminthiases.

Forty patients were treated with either flubendazole or mebendazole, 100 mg twice a day for three days, in a double-blind, prospective, randomized study. The study concentrated on patients with Trichuris trichiura infections, although the effects of the anthelmintic agents on concomitant Ascaris lumbricoides and hookworm infections were also evaluated. Results from 35 evaluable patients showed complete cure in 17/19 (89%) patients treated with flubendazole and 15/16 (94%) patients treated with mebendazole (P less than 0.05, no significant difference). Significant reduction in Trichuris egg counts was noted in the three other patients. No significant adverse clinical or laboratory reactions were noted. Other roundworms were completely eradicated by both anthelmintic agents. Based on this study, flubendazole appears to be as effective and safe as mebendazole in the treatment of nematode infections.