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Treatment
Whipworm is effectively treated with albendazole, mebendazole or ivermectin. Each drug needs to be taken for 3 days. Dosage guidelines are the same for children as for adults. Albendazole should be taken with food. Ivermectin should be taken with water on an empty stomach and the safety of ivermectin for children weighing less than 15 kg has not been established. Neither albendazole nor ivermectin is FDA-approved for treating whipworm.
Drug | Dosage for adults and children |
---|---|
Albendazole | 400 mg orally for 3 days |
Mebendazole | 100 mg orally twice a day for 3 days |
Ivermectin | 200 mcg/kg/day orally for 3 days |
Oral albendazole is available for human use in the United States.
Oral mebendazole is available for human use in the United States.
Oral ivermectin is available for human use in the United States.