What Does Fenbendazole Do to the Human Body?

Fenbendazole is a drug that veterinarians predominantly use to eliminate different types of intestinal parasites in animals. It can kill different species of roundworms, hookworms, whipworms, and certain tapeworms. It is also common under the brand names of Panacur® and Safe-Guard® by veterinarians. It is being researched for its abilities to treat and help manage different types of cancers and as an anti-parasitic to humans. Because fenbendazole is not human approved, there is limited research and testing on its effects on humans.

Even as fenbendazole gains public interest, it can help answer questions on the drug and its possible effects. Symptoms and side effects might be as well. This article can provide a generalized answer.

What is Fenbendazole?

Fenbendazole is a benzimidazole anthelmintic. It crosses the parasitic membranes which makes it unique against many intestinal parasites. It is safe and effective for longstanding use in veterinary medicine.

How Does Fenbendazole Work?

Fenbendazole works against parasites to impair their energy systems. It forms a complex with beta tubulin, a protein that plays a key role in the formation of microtubules. Once microtubules are formed, they are involved in transport of nutrients and division of the parasite, among other functions. If the parasite fails to form microtubules, it cannot divide or move and it will ultimately starve to death.

What Happens When Fenbendazole Enters the Human Body?

Even though fenbendazole is not human approve, there is still extensive research on the drug. There is a lot of information from animal studies and laboratory research. Because of this, researchers have a pretty thorough understanding on how fenbendazole works.

It Is Absorbed Through the Digestive System

When fenbendazole is ingested, it is absorb in the small intestine. Compared to other drugs, the absorption rate of fenbendazole is low, and it is enhanced upon ingestion of a fatty meal.

Although absorption occurs in the small intestine, fenbendazole is inactive in the intestine and has to be transported to the liver. The liver then activates fenbendazole to its metabolites.

The Liver Activates the Drug

Once in the liver, fenbendazole is metabolize to oxfendazole and fenbendazole sulfone among other metabolites. The liver is responsible for the activation of fenbendazole and it is the liver that then excretes these metabolites from the body.

It Is Eliminated Naturally

Fenbendazole and its metabolites are subsequently excreted from the body in large quantities through the feces. Smaller quantities of fenbendazole and its metabolites are excrete through the urine. Depending on the dose, the metabolism of fenbendazole and its metabolites varies among animals. Other factors such as the dosing schedule can influence the elimination of fenbendazole from the body.

What Effects Could Fenbendazole Have in Humans?

Because fenbendazole has poorly study in humans, its effects are largely unknown.

Potential effects may include:

• Antiparasitic Activity
• Fenbendazole binds to intestinal parasites, killing them.
• It has been studied in labs to show it has strong activity against parasitic worms.
• Effects on Cells
• It has been studied in labs because of its effects on the microtubules in cells.

Some lab and animal studies suggest this mechanism of action can influence cell growth within the body. However, these studies have not established fenbendazole as safe or effective for cancer treatment.

At the current time, fenbendazole has been recommended against

What Does Current Research Say?

Interest in fenbendazole increased after some people shared their experiences using this drug online. Since then, researchers have begun to investigate fenbendazole in a controlled environment.

Findings show that fenbendazole has the potential to:

• Disrupt the formation of microtubules
• Influence cellular metabolism
• Influence programmed cell death (apoptosis) in laboratory models.
• Laboratory research will likely inform the development of potential new human therapies.

However, at this time, there are no clinical trials performed on humans that demonstrate that fenbendazole is safe and effective for the treatment of cancer.

Potential Side Effects

Fenbendazole is not approve for use in humans, therefore it is not known what the complete risks are from using this drug.

From the limited studies and the existing case reports, some possible side effects from the use of benzimidazole drugs include:

• Nausea
• Stomach pain
• Diarrhea
• Headache
• Fatigue
• Temporary increases in serum liver enzyme levels

Serious side effects are believe to be rare in animals and there are no safety data on humans.

Anyone feeling unusual after a drug is taken should consult their health care provider.

Can Fenbendazole Damage the Liver?

Processed by the liver, fenbendazole can be damaging to this organ as evidenced by studies of benzimidazole drugs.

In these studies, temporary elevation of liver enzyme levels was observe, especially in cases of prolonged use.

Persons with liver disease should never use veterinary medicine without a physician.

Does Fenbendazole Affect the Immune System?

Current information indicates that fenbendazole does not increase or decrease the activity of the human immune system.

Any impacts on the immune system in laboratory studies need further study to determine if the findings are applicable to humans.

Who Should Avoid Fenbendazole

Pregnant, breastfeeding or children, liver disease patients and persons who take multiple prescription drugs, and individuals with chronic disease need to exercise extra care.

Medical advice must be sought prior to using any medication outside its approved scope.

Is Fenbendazole Approved for Humans?

No.

Fenbendazole has not approve by the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for human use.

Veterinary formulations mean that the products are made exclusively for animals, and should not be used in the place of human medications.

What do Health Authorities Say?

Health authorities state that medications for parasitic treatment should only be given when appropriate and should be done under medical supervision.

World Health Organization (WHO) estimates show that over 1.5 billion people are infected with intestinal parasites, and this emphasizes the need for correct diagnosis and validated treatment and discourages self-medication.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does fenbendazole kill human parasites?

In animals, fenbendazole kills a lot of parasites, but fenbendazole has not been approve for treating human parasites. Doctors prescribe the proper antiparasitic medicine for the parasite in question.

Can fenbendazole damage human cells?

Lab studies show that fenbendazole sticks to microtubules in cells, but the effects of fenbendazole in humans are not known and more studies need to be done.

Is fenbendazole safe to use?

Its safety is confirm for veterinary medicine, but there is not enough data to claim safety for human use.

Why is there an interest in fenbendazole?

This spurred from previous anecdotal case studies in addition to studies done in professional settings to identify biological activities. Without clinical studies, these are of no value.

Final Thoughts

Fenbendazole is a parasiticide that impairs the metabolism and cellular integrity of susceptible parasites. Even though other biological effects of fenbendazole have been study in vitro, including potential applications in oncology, at this point in time, there are no clinical data to support the use of fenbendazole in humans beyond the approved uses.

If you feel that you may be experiencing a parasitic infection, or need advice about best treatment, the appropriate next step would be to speak with a medical professional in order to receive a proper diagnosis and medicine that is evidence based.