What to Treat with Fenbendazole?

Fenbendazole is a benzimidazole antiparasitic that is helpful for many intestinal parasites and has a good safety record in the near three decades of use in veterinary medicine. Laboratory research and personal testimonials have create a buzz about fenbendazole’s possible antineoplastic properties and led to a spike in internet search for fenbendazole to find off-label indications. These uses of fenbendazole are experimental and are neither safe nor legal for human use.

What Is Fenbendazole?

Fenbendazole undergoes biotransformation and selectively targets the parasite’s ability to absorb nutrients and actively participate in cellular metabolism and is thus helpful in many intestinal parasites. Its great safety record has prompte its widespread and almost three decades of use in veterinary medicine.

Approved Uses of Fenbendazole

Fenbendazole has gain the approval of veterinary medicines boards to treat:

• • Lungworms

• • Certain tapeworms

• • Hookworms

• • Giardia (in Dogs)

• • Roundworms

• • Whipworms

It is frequently used in the treatment of dogs, cats, horses, cattle and even sheep and goats. The formulation and the species of the animal will dictate which of the above-listed parasites are treats

Off-Label Veterinary Uses

Fenbendazole is also prescribe for uncommon intestinal parasitic infections when there is adequate clinical evidence to support its use.

Examples are:

• • Giardia infections in dogs

• • Certain uncommon intestinal parasites

• • Extended treatment protocols for difficult-to-clear infections

Although these are also called off-label uses, these are totally acceptable and legal use in veterinary medicine.

Experimental Human Interest

The use of fenbendazole in humans is purely experimental and unauthorized, but there has been some human use beyond the treatment of parasitic infections which has well documented in social media and online forums.

Cancer

Cancer is one of the most talk about experimental uses of fenbendazole.

Laboratory studies demonstrated that fenbendazole may interfere with microtubules in a manner that is similar to certain chemotherapy drugs. The potential effects of fenbendazole on cancer cells have also been studied.

The interest in fenbendazole is growing, in part, because of the Joe Tippens case. He has provided a unique opportunity to study the effects of an unconventional treatment that he described, which included fenbendazole, in conjunction with traditional treatments and supplements. While many have inspired by this case, this remains a unique example with no scientific basis. Personal case studies cannot expose the safety or efficacy of a treatment for an entire population.

A number of clinical researchers have an interest in the potential of benzimidazole compounds in cancer treatment. However, a significant number of studies on humans are necessary before this interest can be considered valid.

Other Experimental Uses

Some other investigational uses, related to the fenbendazole studies, include:

• • Immune system modulation

• • Inflammatory conditions

• • Certain protozoal infections

These studies should not be viewed as confirmed therapeutic areas.

Is Fenbendazole Safe?

Fenbendazole, when used as describe by veterinarians, is tolerated well in animals. Side effects can include:

• • Mild vomiting

• • Diarrhea

• • Temporary loss of appetite

• • Lethargy

• • Rarely may include allergic reactions

The safety of fenbendazole in humans has not studied because fenbendazole is manufactured for the veterinary market and have not gone through the lengthy approvals to market for use in humans as medicine.

Should Humans Take Fenbendazole?

The common medical advice stands. Don’t treat yourself. Don’t take veterinary medicine. For those considering unregulated treatments, know that discussing options with a healthcare provider is better practice. Avoid leaving scientifically supported treatment for alternatives that lack evidence.

Final Thoughts

Fenbendazole is an anthelmintic that is useful in treating parasitic infections in animals. Its uses only in approved contexts is extremely helpful. Fenbendazole is of growing curiosity for experimental uses and cancer research. In spite of lab research and the proliferation of anecdotal evidence, fenbendazole is neither proven nor safe in the attempt to treat cancer. Clinical research is required to explore fenbendazole’s use in off-label contexts for treatment of human illness. Until then, it should not be used on humans.