Fenbendazole is a drug that was originally developed to treat parasitic worms in animals. It has also been shown to inhibit cancer growth.
Intensive treatments of EMT6 cells with fenbendazole caused a dramatic increase in cell death. This was true even when the drugs were used under conditions of severe hypoxia.
Safety
Fenbendazole is a safe medication with a track record of use in humans. It has also been used as an anthelmintic to deworm animals and has proven effective against a wide variety of parasites. It is often combined with vitamins to enhance its effectiveness. Be sure to discuss any supplements your pet is taking with your veterinarian to ensure they do not interact with this drug.
Two-h treatments of fenbendazole did not affect the growth of EMT6 tumors in BALB/c mice, whether administered in diet or as three daily i.p. injections. Tumor volume was rigorously measured and time to four-fold the initial tumor volume was compared between groups.
The toxicity of 2-h treatment of fenbendazole to aerobic EMT6 cells was enhanced by hypoxia, as indicated by the steep drop in cell viability in cultures treated under low oxygen (Figure 1). However, at concentrations approaching the limit of solubility, fenbendazole was not toxic to the cells, and their number did not decline.
Dosage
Fenbendazole is an antiparasitic drug with broad-spectrum use in humans and animals. It works by binding to b-tubulin microtubules and disrupting their polymerization. It also inhibits glucose uptake by blocking the expression of GLUT-4, thereby starving cancer cells of their energy source.
In a case study, a patient with advanced NSCLC obtained information about fenbendazole on social media and orally self-administered the drug. She did not experience tumor shrinkage and experienced severe liver injury. Physicians should be vigilant in questioning patients regarding their acquisition of medical information through social media.
Despite the claim of some on social media, no peer-reviewed studies have found that animal anthelmintics cure human cancer. Health Canada lists all fenbendazole products for veterinary use only. However, research into this class of drugs continues. These drugs are being tested as potential anticancer agents due to their similarities with parasitic cells and the fact that they have mechanisms of action that overlap with those of hypoxia-selective nitroheterocyclic cytotoxins/radiosensitizers, taxanes, and vinca alkaloids.
Side effects
Despite the controversy that surrounds some videos on TikTok that claim dog deworming medication cures cancer, pure fenbendazole is a safe and effective drug for humans. However, long-term use can result in some side effects.
The medication is absorbed well when given with food, and the most common side effect is an allergic reaction. It may cause swollen lips, eyes or tongue, itching, difficulty breathing and shock. If you see any of these symptoms, call your veterinarian immediately.
The drug targets parasitic tissue, and ignores healthy body tissue. For this reason, it is very safe for dogs to take. Nonetheless, some breeds of animals are more prone to an allergic reaction than others. Dogs experiencing an allergy to Panacur might lick their lips constantly, have hives or rashes on their skin, and experience diarrhea or loss of appetite. Generally, the allergies occur only in younger dogs and puppies. Older dogs are more tolerant of the medication.
Working with a healthcare professional
While some medical professionals may advise patients to self-administer fenbendazole, it is important to work with a healthcare professional to ensure that the medication is safe and effective. This will help to minimize side effects, and ensure that the correct dosage is used.
Fenbendazole is a common deworming drug that veterinarians prescribe for dogs and other animals. It kills a variety of intestinal parasites including roundworms, hookworms, whipworms, and tapeworms. It is also sometimes prescribed for giardia, a microscopic parasite that can be transferred between pets and people.
However, the safety of fenbendazole in humans for long periods has not been established. This has led to many people using this medication on their own, without the guidance of a healthcare professional. Some of these individuals have posted videos on social media platforms such as Facebook and TikTok that claim to have cured their cancer by taking fenbendazole. These claims have been criticized by experts in the field.fenbendazole for humans