Yomesan – Niclosamide uses, dose and side effects

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500 mg chewable tablet er
niclosamide

What Yomesan is and what it is used for

Yomesan is used to treat tapeworm infections and acts directly on the head (scolex) of the tapeworm. Niclosamide (the active ingredient in Yomesan) inhibits the parasite’s internal respiration so that the head and adjacent segments die. As a result, the chain of segments loses its grip and is passed out with feces, either in one piece or in parts.

Yomesan is used to treat the following tapeworm infections in adults and children:

  • Infection caused by tapeworm (Taenia saginata)
  • Infection caused by pork tapeworm (Taenia solium)
  • Infection caused by fish tapeworm (Diphyllobothrium latum).

What you need to know Before taking Yomesan

Do not take Yomesan

– if you are allergic to niclosamide or any other ingredient in this medicine (listed in section 6).

Yomesan with food, drink, and alcohol

Note: Tapeworm infection causes an increase in the intestinal mucus under which the worm lies. This increase in intestinal mucus can be prevented by consuming acidic fruit juices, e.g. orange juice (see section 3.).

Yomesan should not be used together with drinks containing alcohol.

Pregnancy, breastfeeding, and fertility

There is an insufficient experience in the use of Yomesan during pregnancy. Caution must be observed mainly during the first trimester.

It is unknown whether Yomesan is excreted in human milk.

Yomesan should only be used in breastfeeding women after a risk/benefit assessment by a doctor.

If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, think you may be pregnant, or are planning to have a baby, ask your doctor or pharmacist for advice before using this medicine.

Driving ability and use of machinery

As people react differently to this medicine, your ability to react quickly and accurately to unexpected and sudden events may be impaired, especially at the beginning of treatment and in connection with alcohol. Be aware that your ability to drive and use machinery or work without a firm footing may be impaired.

You are responsible for assessing whether you are fit to drive a motor vehicle or perform work that requires increased attention. One of the factors that can affect your ability in these respects is the use of drugs due to their effects and/or side effects. A description of these effects and side effects can be found in other sections. Read all the information in this leaflet for guidance. Discuss with your doctor or pharmacist if you are unsure.

Yomesan contains sodium

This medicine contains less than 1 mmol (23 mg) of sodium per dose unit, i.e. it is almost ‘sodium-free’.

How to use Yomesan

Always take this medicine as directed by your doctor or pharmacist. Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you are unsure.

The recommended dose is unless otherwise prescribed by your doctor:

Adults and children over 6 years: 4 chewable tablets.

Children 2-6 years: 2 chewable tablets.

Children under 2 years: 1 chewable tablet.

Take your dose after breakfast. The tablets should be chewed thoroughly and then washed down with a little water. You can also crumble the tablets in water before taking them.

Use for children and adolescents

For small children, crush the tablets and mix them with a little water before giving them to the child.

Note :

Tapeworm infection causes an increase in the intestinal mucus under which the worm resides. This increase in intestinal mucus can be prevented by consuming acidic fruit juices, e.g. orange juice. The reduction of intestinal mucus means that Yomesan reaches the tapeworm more easily.

In case of constipation, treatment with laxatives is recommended before treatment with Yomesan. No special diet is necessary.

For the tapeworm to be excreted quickly from the intestine and preferably shortly after the treatment, a strong laxative can be given no earlier than two hours after the tablets. This causes diarrhea which will flush out the parasites.

If laxatives are not used, parts of the tapeworm will appear in the stool for the next few days. When treating pork tapeworm, a strong laxative should be given.

Duration of treatment

Unless otherwise prescribed by the doctor, treatment of beef, pig, and fish tapeworms should be given as a single dose.

Do not take Yomesan longer than the planned treatment without asking your doctor.

Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you think the effect of Yomesan is too strong or too weak.

If you have used too much Yomesan 

No cases of overdose have been reported.

If you have ingested too much medicine or if, for example, a child has ingested the medicine by mistake, contact a doctor or hospital for an assessment of the risk and advice.

If you have further questions about this medicine, contact your doctor or pharmacist.

Possible side effects

Like all medicines, this medicine can cause side effects, although not everybody gets them.

Talk to your doctor right away if you experience any of the following potentially serious side effects :

  • Allergic reaction (e.g. with skin redness, severe itching, or rash)
  • Anaphylactic reaction ( allergic reaction, severe allergy; specific hypersensitivity reaction that can develop into life-threatening shock )
  • Anaphylactic shock (sudden life-threatening allergic reaction with sudden signs of allergy, such as rash, itching or hives, swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or other parts of the body, shortness of breath, wheezing, or difficulty breathing).

If any side effects get worse or if you notice any side effects not mentioned in this information, contact your doctor or pharmacist.

Adverse reactions for which the frequency is not known (frequency cannot be calculated from the available data):

  • Dizziness
  • Bluish discoloration of the skin and mucous membranes (cyanosis)
  • Nausea
  • Vomiting
  • Pain in stomach and abdomen
  • Nausea
  • Diarrhea
  • Rash
  • Itching
  • Excessive sweating ( hyperhidrosis )
  • General malaise (fatigue)

How to store Yomesan

Keep this medicine out of the sight and reach of children.

Use before the expiry date stated on the packaging.

No special storage instructions.

Medicines must not be thrown into the drain or among the household waste. Ask the pharmacist how to dispose of medications that are no longer used. These measures will help to protect the environment.

Contents of the packaging and other information

Contents declaration

  • The active substance is niclosamide
  • Other ingredients are corn starch, talc, sodium lauryl sulfate, povidone, vanillin, magnesium stearate, and saccharin sodium.

Appearance and package sizes of the medicine

Yomesan 500 mg chewable tablets are gray-yellow, round tablets with “FE” printed on one side and the Bayer cross on the other.

Marketing authorization holder and manufacturer

Marketing Authorisation Holder:

Bayer AB

Box 606

SE-169 26 Solna

Manufacturer:

Bayer AG, 51368 Leverkusen, Germany

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