Fenbendazole is a broad-spectrum benzimidazole anthelmintic used in veterinary medicine to treat and/or prevent gastrointestinal parasites in dogs, cats, horses, birds, rabbits and most reptiles. It also acts as an anti-cancer therapy by reactivating the p53 gene, inducing cancer cell apoptosis and inhibiting cancer cell glucose absorption.
Focus group interviews with 21 lung cancer patients were conducted. They were asked about their perception of fenbendazole.
Parasites
Known by the brand name Panacur, this medication is one of a group of drugs called benzimimidizoles. It is used in several animal species to treat intestinal parasites. It is effective against roundworms, hookworms, whipworms, taenia (common tapeworm), and lungworms in dogs.
This drug prevents worms by binding to tubulin and disrupting the equilibrium of microtubule polymerization. It is also thought to interfere with the metabolism of these helminths, thereby depriving them of energy and causing them to die.
Fenbendazole has been shown to significantly inhibit BoHV-1 productive infections in MDBK cells. It reduces both the onset of infection and the titer of the virus in these cells.
It is important to note that a dog may have frequent diarrhea as a side effect of this medication. This is the result of the body expelling the worms killed by fenbendazole. It should stop after a few days of treatment, but be sure to contact your veterinarian if it continues.
Cancer
Many blogs and popular media articles suggest that fenbendazole, which is used to deworm dogs, can cure cancer. Although some studies on cells in petri dishes and mice suggest that fenbendazole might have anti-cancer properties, there is no evidence that it is effective in people.
Some researchers believe that fenbendazole could be useful against certain cancers because it can inhibit the growth of microtubules in cancer cells. Microtubules are a structure that provides support for cell structures, including the nucleus and organelles.
A study published in Scientific Reports in 2018 found that fenbendazole and mebendazole, another antiparasitic drug, can block cancer cells’ proliferation and induce cancer cell death.
The drug may also be combined with other cancer therapies to improve their effectiveness. For example, a study published in 2021 showed that combining fenbendazole with radiation and docetaxel was more effective against EMT6 mouse mammary tumors than either drug alone. This is because fenbendazole’s mechanisms of action overlap with those of hypoxia-selective nitroheterocyclic cytotoxins and radiosensitizers, and the taxanes.
Prevention
Fenbendazole has been shown in controlled clinical field trials to be effective against the major intestinal parasites of dogs. This drug is commonly used as a preventative dewormer for puppies and can be employed off-label to protect against giardia in adult dogs.
It is also safe for pregnant dogs. However, lower dosage guidelines should be followed because this medication can cause a build-up of abnormal liver enzymes in persons who take it for extended periods of time.
It is a compounded prescription medication that comes in blue and white elongated capsules made specifically for your pet. This medication should be administered to the animal with a small amount of food. If a pet experiences an allergic reaction to fenbendazole, you should contact your veterinarian immediately for treatment. Signs of an allergic reaction to this medication include hives, facial swelling, lethargy and difficulty breathing. This reaction is caused by the release of antigens from dying parasites.
Side effects
Fenbendazole is a broad-spectrum benzimidazole anthelmintic approved for use in many animal species. It is commonly used to treat gastrointestinal parasites such as giardia, roundworms, hookworms, whipworms, the Taenia genus of tapeworms and pinworms. It is also being used in the Joe Tippens Protocol as a cancer treatment for dogs.
Mice were injected subcutaneously with lymphoma cells and fed one of four diets: control, fenbendazole, vitamins alone or fenbendazole plus vitamins. Tumor size was measured by caliper at 4-d intervals until the largest tumor reached a calculated volume of 1500 mm3. Tumor growth did not differ between control and fenbendazole- or vitamin-supplemented groups. However, when combined with vitamins, fenbendazole significantly inhibited tumor growth in these mice.
No special monitoring is required for pets being given fenbendazole capsules at regular doses. If your pet experiences side effects such as facial swelling, itching or hives, or if they eat the medication by accident, call your veterinarian right away for advice.