Ovex is used to treat threadworms (also called pinworms). It is available as orange flavoured tablets which can be chewed or swallowed whole, or as a banana flavoured suspension. A single dose will treat threadworms from children from two years old through to adults and contains 100mg of Mebendazole.

Ovex is available in the following forms:

• Ovex 1 Tablet Pack
• Ovex 4 Tablet Family Pack
• Ovex Suspension

Directions for taking Ovex:

The dose of Ovex is the same for adults and children aged two years and over, and is either one tablet or 5ml of suspension.

The tablets are orange-flavoured and may be chewed or swallowed whole. Crush the tablet before giving it to a young child. Always supervise a child while they are taking this medicine.

The suspension is banana-flavoured.

Since threadworms can spread very easily, it is strongly recommended that all the family (except pregnant and breast feeding women and children under two) are treated at the same time, and that suitable hygiene precautions are followed to prevent re-infection.

Please note: a single dose of Ovex will kill threadworms (sometimes known as pinworms). In the case of re-infection, your pharmacist may recommend that a second tablet is taken after two weeks.

What if too much Ovex Family Pack has been taken?

If too many tablets have been taken, either by yourself or a child, do not worry, but inform your doctor as soon as possible.

Each Ovex  tablet or 5ml of suspension contains active ingredient:

• 100 mg mebendazole

Ovex tablets also contains: microcrystalline cellulose, sodium starch glycolate, talc, maize starch, sodium saccharin, magnesium stearate, cottonseed oil - hydrogenated, orange flavour, colloidal anhydrous silica, sodium lauryl sulphate, orange yellow S (E110)

Ovex Suspension also contains: sucrose, microcrystalline cellulose, sodium carboxymethylcellulose, methylcellulose, methylparahydroxybenzoate (E218), propylparahydroybenzoate (E216), sodium laurilsulfate, banana flavour, citric acid monohydrate and purified water.

When not to use Ovex:

Ovex should not be taken by women who are pregnant or think they may be pregnant, or when breast feeding. If you think you may have had an allergic reaction to this medicine or any of its other ingredients in the past (for example, came out in a rash, itching, swollen lips or face), do not take it again without checking with your doctor.

What special precautions should be taken when using Ovex?

This medicine should not be given to children younger than two years of age, unless recommended by your doctor. Always tell your pharmacist if you are taking any other medicine because some drugs should not be taken together. For example, if you are taking:

• metronidazole (a drug used to treat bacterial and protozoan infections) as a serious skin reaction can rarely occur
• cimetidine (a medicine used to treat stomach acidity), you may need to see your doctor for advice.

Does Ovex have any unwanted effects?

Side effects following the use of Ovex occur only in very rare instances and are usually minor, such as short-lived stomach ache or diarrhoea, or allergic reactions (such as rashes, shortness of breath or itching).

Very rarely, convulsions in infants have been reported.

Very rarely, a serious skin reaction involving rashes, blisters on the skin and sore mouth/eyes has been reported. If you have a high temperature or feel unwell with one of these reactions, contact your doctor immediately.

With long term use above recommended doses, there have been reports of a reduction in white blood cells (which reduces the body's defences against infection), inflammation of the kidneys and liver and abnormal liver function.

For Ovex Suspension, if you have been told by your doctor that you have an intolerance to some sugars, you should also check with your doctor before taking this medicine.

Do not hesitate to tell your doctor or pharmacist if you notice any other side effects.

What are threadworms?

How common are threadworms?

Threadworms are extremely common, especially in children. It is estimated that up to 40% of children under ten years in the UK may be affected at any one time. Once a child has threadworms, it is very easy for the rest of the family to get them.

How do they spread?

Threadworms spread by producing large numbers of tiny eggs. These eggs are so small that they cannot be seen with the naked eye.

When swallowed, the eggs pass into the bowel where they hatch into worms. When mature, the female threadworm lays her eggs at night around the anal area, which causes an "itchy bottom". The resulting irritation can cause intense scratching, which may lead to further infections if the skin becomes sore or broken. Scratching also allows transfer of the eggs to the fingers and nails.

Eggs can then be easily transferred to the mouth by finger sucking or nail biting, causing re-infection, and spread to other members of the family by direct contact or via food, towels and bed linen etc.

Threadworm eggs are present in house dust; they stick to clothing, carpets, towels and bed linen; they can also be picked up in garden soil, or on unwashed vegetables and salads. Because the eggs are so small and so widespread, it is very easy for them to be swallowed.

Lifecycle of threadworms: 2 - 6 weeks.

1. Scratching the bottom transfers eggs to fingers and from there back to the mouth or to others either by direct contact or via food, bed linen etc.
2. Eggs swallowed.
3. Female worms migrate to the anal area to lay eggs at night.

Are they harmful?

Threadworms do not cause serious damage but they are an irritating problem. Besides the intense itching, which can be distressing and embarrassing for the sufferer, they can also lead to disturbed sleep, tummy aches, irritable crying, loss of appetite or an unusually large appetite. Sometimes, threadworms can be transferred to the vagina and urinary passage. This can result in vaginal irritation and discharge, symptoms of cystitis or bed wetting.

Who gets threadworms?

Anyone, although they are more common in children. It does not mean that your family or your home are not clean. Because threadworms are passed on very easily it is a wise precaution to treat everyone in the family at the same time.

How can you tell if someone has threadworms?

The most obvious sign of threadworms is intense itching in the anal area, especially at night, although this does not affect everyone. If your children frequently scratch their bottoms, suffer from disturbed sleep or become irritable, it is worth checking their motions and the anal area for tiny white threads. If one member of the family has threadworms, the rest of the family may already have picked up the infection, even if they do not show obvious symptoms.

General advice

To ensure that you and your family do not infect others or re-infect yourselves, you should also follow the hygienemeasures listed below for at least six weeks:

• Keep nails short.
• Discourage nail biting or finger sucking.
• Wear pyjamas or underclothes in bed.
• In the mornings, wash thoroughly around the bottom.
• Provide a towel for the exclusive use of each member of the household.
• Change clothes regularly.
• Regularly wash and iron bed linen.
• Thoroughly wash hands and nails after using the toilet and before each meal.

Do you need to keep your children off school?

No. As long as the children are treated and the general hygiene measures outlined above are followed, there is no reason to keep them off school.

How can you stop the problem coming back?

Threadworms are easily treated but unless the following precautions are taken the problem may recur:

• Follow the general advice above.
• Make sure everyone in the family is treated at the same time.

Important note: Threadworms only affect humans, they do not affect pets.