Fenbendazole

Fenbendazole
Clinical data
AHFS/Drugs.comInternational Drug Names
License data
ATC code
Identifiers
  • Methyl N-(6-phenylsulfanyl-1H-benzoimidazol-2-yl)carbamate
CAS Number
PubChem CID
ChemSpider
UNII
KEGG
ChEBI
ChEMBL
CompTox Dashboard (EPA)
ECHA InfoCard100.051.024
Chemical and physical data
FormulaC15H13N3O2S
Molar mass299.35 g·mol−1
3D model (JSmol)
  • COC(=O)Nc3nc2ccc(Sc1ccccc1)cc2[nH]3
  • InChI=1S/C15H13N3O2S/c1-20-15(19)18-14-16-12-8-7-11(9-13(12)17-14)21-10-5-3-2-4-6-10/h2-9H,1H3,(H2,16,17,18,19) Y
  • Key:HDDSHPAODJUKPD-UHFFFAOYSA-N Y
 NY (what is this?)  (verify)

Fenbendazole is a broad-spectrum benzimidazole anthelmintic used against gastrointestinal parasites including: roundworms, hookworms, whipworms, the tapeworm genus Taenia (but not effective against Dipylidium caninum, a common dog tapeworm), pinworms, Aelurostrongylus spp., paragonimiasis, strongyles, and strongyloides that can be administered to sheep, cattle, horses, fish, dogs, cats, rabbits, most reptiles, freshwater shrimp tanks as planaria and hydra treatments, and seals.

It has not been tested or approved for use in humans by the FDA or EMA. Related benzimidazole drugs such as mebendazole and albendazole are used in humans.

Some laboratory research has shown promising results for fenbendazole and mebendazole as anticancer drugs. Exaggerated information has circulated on social media promoting fenbendazole as a miracle cancer cure. However, the possible use of fenbendazole against cancer is still at the stage of very early laboratory research, and should not be attempted without a doctor's approval and supervision. Misuse of fenbendazole can cause liver damage.