Clinical trial of flubendazole on hookworm, Trichuris trichiura and Ascaris lumbricoides infections

Abstract

Flubendazole, a parafluoro analogue of mebendazole, was given to 89 service men with hookworm, Trichuris trichiura and Ascaris lumbricoides infections. The drug was given either as 2 doses of 300 mg at 12 hour interval (regimen A) or as 2 doses of 300 mg at 24 hour interval (regimen B). At 4 weeks follow-up the mean percentage egg reduction for hookworm was 88% and 96% in regimen A and B respectively. There were too few cases of Trichuris and Ascaris infection to allow comparison of the two regimens, but flubendazole appeared to be as effective and the single day regimen more convenient than difetasone for trichuriasis and levamisole for ascariasis. Side effects were few, mild and transient.