Fenbendazole vs Mebendazole for Cancer: What is the Difference?

What is Fenbendazole used for in humans? 

Fenbendazole (also known as fenben) is a veterinary medication used to treat parasites and worms such as tapeworms, hookworms, roundworms, and whipworms, in animals. It is commonly used under brand names like Panacur C and Safe-Guard.

If you have been diagnosed with cancer, or have a loved one that is suffering from cancer, chances are you have heard about the Joe Tippens Cancer Protocol. The Fenbendazole Cancer Protocol has been gaining rapid interest over the past years following some fenbendazole advanced cancer success stories.

Joe Tippens founded the protocol after he was told a story about a scientist at Merck Animal Health that had been performing cancer research on mice. The research included injecting different types of cancers into different mice body parts. The scientists discovered, through trial and error, a product in their canine product line, fenbendazole, that was batting 1.000 in killing these different cancers in the mice. The scientist was later diagnosed with stage 4 brain cancer and was given a grim prognosis of only three months to live. She decided to try the fenbendazole, and after six weeks, showed a clean scan.

Joe Tippens had been initially diagnosed with small cell lung cancer. The cancer later spread to his neck, right lung, stomach, liver, bladder, pancreas and tail bone. Like the scientist from Merk Animal Hospital, Joe was told he only had three months to live. In 2017, after hearing the story of the scientist who treated her cancer with a canine drug, Joe decided he was going to do the same. However, in addition to taking the fenbendazole, Joe added his own ingredients to the regimen (curcumin, CBD oil, and vitamin E), thus creating the Joe Tippens Cancer Protocol.

Researchers have been experimenting with fenbendazole for humans cancer. Though the studies are limited, what researchers have found so far is promising for cancer patients. Many cancer patients have been following the Fenbendazole for cancer Protocol.

However, fenbendazole isn’t the only worming medication that has the potential to fight cancer. Researchers have also been studying how Mebendazole, a drug that can treat worms in humans, could be just as, or even more, effective at shrinking tumors and killing cancer cells.

What is Mebendazole?

Fenbendazole is part of a larger group of drugs known as benzimidazole*, which are anthelmintic drugs (i.e., drugs that kill parasitic worms). Another benzimidazole is mebendazole, which can be prescribed to humans with certain gut infections, including threadworms, whipworms, hookworms, and roundworms.

*The class of drugs known as benzimidazoles includes fenbendazole, mebendazole, albendazole and flubendazole. 

Mebendazole (MBZ; 5-benzoyl-1H-benzimidazol-2-ylcarbamate) first described in 1968, was initially recognized as a broad-spectrum anthelmintic agent and was applied to humans in 1971 (JAMA 1971).

Fast forward two decades, and the focus on anthelmintics shifted towards their potential anticancer properties, primarily due to their interactions with microtubules (Cancers 2019).

A 2021 study from Johns Hopkins University, concluded that mebendazole should be investigated further as a component of adjuvant therapy to slow progression and prevent metastasis, and well as for primary prevention in the highest risk patients. (Oncotarget 2021)

According to, Gregory Riggins, M.D., Ph.D., professor of neurosurgery and oncology at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine:

“We are advocating for use of mebendazole as a therapy for those diagnosed before metastasis to see if we can slow or prevent pancreatic cancer,” Riggins says. “For those with more advanced cancers, it could be an alternative to certain surgeries. Mebendazole may have utility as a therapy after initial treatment to prevent tumor recurrence in the 15% to 20% of pancreatic adenocarcinoma patients who undergo surgery. It may also increase the durability of response to standard chemotherapy in the remaining 80% to 85% of patients with advanced disease.”

Anecdotal evidence from two case reports (refractory metastatic colon cancer, metastatic adrenocortical carcinoma) has further supported the possibility of MBZ being repurposed as an anticancer drug by documenting its success in managing metastatic patients.

In addition to occasional isolated reports of mebendazole’s clinical use as a desperate attempt for terminally ill patients, most of the results stem from in vitro studies, with a few phase 1–2 clinical prospective studies reporting or in progress. 

One such phase 2 study, initiated by Mansoori et al., investigated the safety and efficacy of individually dosed mebendazole in patients with advanced gastrointestinal cancer. Although well tolerated, the study stopped early due to the inability to maintain serum concentrations, even at 4 g of mebendazole per day, and a lack of clinical response at best, considering all patients presented rapid disease progression (PubMed). The authors concluded that new approaches such as prodrug development and combination with other anticancer drugs seem needed for further exploration of mebendazole as an anticancer drug.

Mebendazole dosage for cancer treatment

The recommended‍ dosage⁣ for ⁣mebendazole typically involves ‍taking 100 mg⁤ of mebendazole⁢ twice daily (Endocr Pract 2011). The patient was receiving mebendazole as a sole treatment for 19 months, his disease remained stable. He did not experience any clinically significant adverse effects, and his quality of life was satisfactory.

Laboratory studies indicate that mebendazole enters the brain and brain tumors at concentrations that may be effective for a combination of anti-cancer mechanisms. (source)

In a clinical trial for brain cancers in children (https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT01837862), mebendazole doses will be escalated from the initial dose level of 50 mg/kg/day divided twice daily, to a second dose level of 100 mg/kg/day divided twice daily, to the final dose level of 200 mg/kg/day divided twice daily.

In another clinical trial "To Study the Effects of Addition of Mebendazole to Lenvatinib in Cirrhotics With Advanced Hepatocellular Carcinoma", mebendazole will be given at dose of 100 mg orally twice a day (BD) daily.

As ⁢with⁢ any⁤ unconventional treatment approach, it’s crucial ‌to‍ consult with ​a healthcare ‍provider before ‌starting the experimental protocol to ensure safety and discuss potential interactions with existing ​medications or⁢ health conditions.

However, according to cancer specialist, Dr William Makis (X.com):

"All Mebendazole cancer trials were severely underdosed in my opinion. Probably intentionally."

Mebendazole: Key Resources

Here are the references for mebendazole dosing schedule:


• For Maximum dose of 4g/day being safe, that’s from a Phase 2 Clinical Trial for Gastrointestinal Cancer: (2021 Mansoori et al)

• 2021 Chai et al - summarizes the various studies that have looked at Mebendazole in Cancer and the doses used.

  • 500mg-1500mg/day (Phase 1 Clinical Trial, pediatric brain tumors)

  • 200mg/day (2011 Dobrosotskaya et al) (adrenocortical ca)

  • 200mg/day (2014 Nygren et al) (colon ca lung and LN mets)

  • 100mg/day (Clinical Trial, UK)

• So far, several studies in the literature have used 200mg/day with some success, however given that it is safe to go up to 4g/day, when we’re dealing with aggressive mRNA Induced Turbo Cancers, 200mg/day is probably not sufficient.

• Albendazole vs fenbendazole for cancer? Why Mebendazole over Albendazole (2021 Chai et al):

  “However, because of the toxicity of albendazole, for example, neutropenia due to myelosuppression, if high doses are used for a prolonged time, mebendazole is currently more popularly used than albendazole in anti-cancer clinical trials.”
• Precaution: Importantly, a combined use of mebendazole (>500 mg) and metronidazole (>500 mg) is prohibited because severe and rare fatal adverse events such as Stevens-Johnson syndrome (or toxic epidermal necrosis) may occur. The risk increased with increasing doses of metronidazole but not mebendazole, and there may be a synergistic interaction between mebendazole and metronidazole. (Chen et al 2003)

Fenbendazole vs. Mebendazole

Fenbendazole and mebendazole are similar in that they both eliminate parasitic worms, but there is a difference. Mebendazole is approved for human consumption by the FDA, while fenbendazole is only approved for veterinary use and has not been approved for human use.

Mebendazole is the form that is approved for human use while fenbendazole is approved for veterinary use. The main difference is the cost. Mebendazole is expensive ~$450 per pill (two pills of mebendazole cost just $4 in the UK.), while fenbendazole is inexpensive ~48 cents per 222 mg free powder dose (Williams, 2019). Albendazole is the form used to treat intestinal parasites in India and these cost 2 cents per pill. 

Although studies are limited, researchers have found mebendazole to have anti-cancer properties like fenbendazole. It stops worms from absorbing glucose, which they need to grow. Researchers have found that it can also prevent cancer cells from absorbing glucose, keeping them from expanding.

While most of the pre-clinical research uses mebendazole, probably because it is the FDA-approved-for-humans form of fenbendazole, virtually most of the self-treating clinical reports involve the use of fenbendazole.

While fenbendazole for human cancer has gained more popularity with some interesting fenbendazole cancer success stories, some research suggests mebendazole might be more effective for treating different types of tumors. For example, research studies have shown that mebendazole could be more effective for brain, prostate, and ovarian cancers.

Clinical Trials

There are more than 10 studies for mebendazole for cancer in ClinicalTrials.gov.

As ⁣of now, there are‌ limited clinical⁣ trials ⁢exploring the use ⁤of fenbendazole in humans. Research is ​primarily⁢ in preclinical stages. However, the Fenbendazole Cancer Protocol gained rapid interest over the past years following some fenbendazole advanced cancer success stories.

Safety

Although fenbendazole and mebendazole are generally well tolerated, there have been reports of elevated liver enzymes from the use of Fenbendazole, as well as the similar human medications mebendazole and albendazole.

If a patient has elevated liver enzymes, liver damage, liver metastasis, or liver diseases, it is important to work with a health professional who is familiar with the use of Fenbendazole or mebendazole and can advise whether it can be used and/or monitor lab values. A typical dose of 250mg of Fenbendazole usually does not cause side effects, but vigilance is key due to the lack of extensive studies on its effects in humans.

Fenbendazole vs Mebendazole in Pancreatic Cancer, Colon Cancer and Paragangliomas

According to a 2021 Italian Study:

“Current anticancer approaches still largely rely on conventional chemotherapy, the efficacy of which is often hampered by the development of drug resistance...thus, novel and more effective drugs are needed to improve cancer patient outcomes” 

“Intriguingly, the repurposing of non-antitumor drugs to be exploited in cancer therapy represents a valuable and an alternative strategy, since candidate agents have well documented pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic features, together with good safety profiles, which may speed up their approval and implementation in the clinics” 

In this study, we explored the effects of a large series of benzimidazole-based anthelmintics on the viability of different tumor cell lines derived from paraganglioma, pancreatic and colorectal cancer. Flubendazole, parbendazole, oxibendazole, mebendazole, albendazole and fenbendazole showed the most consistent antiproliferative effects.

“Notably, for the two derivatives fenbendazole and mebendazole, target prediction analysis pointed out a few cancer-related molecular targets having very high probability scores, thus suggesting polypharmacological profiles of these drugs.” 

According to Dr William Makis, a Canadian oncologist:

Fenbendazole and Mebendazole both increase p53 tumor suppressor levels, which are impaired in 50-60% of all cancers and even further impaired in those who took Pfizer or Moderna COVID-19 mRNA Vaccines and developed TURBO CANCER.

VERDICT: Fenbendazole has superior cancer killing at higher doses for pancreatic cancer, colorectal cancer and paragangliomas (compared to Mebendazole and Albendazole).

Fenbendazole vs Mebendazole in Pancreatic Cancer

FENBENDAZOLE vs MEBENDAZOLE in Pancreatic Cancer - which is better? Obscure Italian study gives the answer in the battle of the anti-parasitics It's the question everyone is asking.

According to Dr William Makis:

Repurposed anti-parasitics are now being used successfully to treat Stage 4 Cancers and Turbo Cancers. The most popular repurposed anti-parasitics are: Ivermectin, Fenbendazole and Mebendazole! I have developed High Dose Protocols to use these successfully, in situations where conventional Oncology has utterly failed. So which is better? Fenbendazole? Or its sister compound, FDA approved and much more expensive Mebendazole? An Italian team tested them head to head and got a surprising answer. Their published results are very difficult to find. 

The answer: It depends on the dose used, and the type of cancer. That being said, the difference is fairly minor. For a cancer patient, what’s most important is availability and access to these drugs. If you can’t get one, get the other. But make sure you're able to get at least one of them. Because they may just save your life one day. (for Pancreatic Cancer, the winner is Fenbendazole)

Florio et al. Cancers 2019

Read More: Pancreatic Cancer series

Mebendazole vs Fenbendazole in treatment of Glioblastoma Brain Cancer

According to this 2011 study from Oxford:

Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM), which has been classified as a grade IV astrocytoma, is a highly aggressive tumor that invades early into surrounding brain tissues, making cure via surgical resection almost impossible...

There is a need to broaden the available treatments for GBM by introducing new therapeutic agents. One possible means to expedite initiation of GBM clinical trials is to examine previously established drugs with known track records of safety in humans, regardless of their intended use...

We accidentally found that fenbendazole, a benzimidazole, reduced brain tumor engraftment in nude mice after the mouse colony was treated for pinworms. Fenbendazole was previously reported to interfere with one lymphoma model in 2008, after we had already noted problems with fenbendazole disrupting brain tumor engraftment" 

We pursued this finding by evaluating whether the 2 most widely used human approved benzimidazoles showed efficacy against glioblastoma models...Subsequent in vitro and in vivo experiments with benzimidazoles identified mebendazole as the more promising drug for Glioblastoma therapy...

Mebendazole disrupted microtubule formation in GBM cells...We showed that mebendazole significantly extended mean survival up to 63% in mouse glioma models...Our findings indicate that mebendazole is a possible novel anti-brain tumor therapeutic that could be further tested in clinical trials.

Fenbendazole is an anti-parasitic drug that increases p53 tumor suppressor levels and blocks glucose utilization by cancer cells. When Joe Tippens got a tip on how to treat his Stage 4 Small Cell Lung Cancer, this was the study that his friend told him about, which helped him cure his Stage 4 Cancer. (source)

We have described two papers (mentioned above) that tested Fenbendazole head to head with Mebendazole.  Although the two anti-parasitics are very similar in efficacy at higher doses, Mebendazole has superior brain cancer cell killing at lower loses compared to Fenbendazole. So for Glioblastoma, it’s Mebendazole if you can get it. Otherwise, you can't go wrong with Fenbendazole. It's still almost as good. (source)

Mebendazole vs Fenbendazole in Osteosarcoma

According to a Master's Degree Thesis by Joanna Schmit (2013):

"The high morbidity and mortality of osteosarcoma despite standard therapy warrants the need to investigate new treatment options" 

“Benzimidazole (BZ) drugs are used routinely as effective anti-parasitics in both human and veterinary medicine. Their safety is well-established and side effects are minimal” 

"Our findings demonstrate that the clinically used veterinary BZs (Albendazole ABZ, Fenbendazole FBZ, and Mebendazole MBZ) possess anti-neoplastic activity in an Osteosarcoma cell line."

"In addition to direct effects on tubulin polymerization, cell cycle, proliferation, and cytotoxicity, BZs demonstrate indirect activity through modulation of a key pro-angiogenic cytokine." 

"Overall Mebendazole shows superior inhibition of proliferation, apoptosis, and inhibition of VEGF secretion. When it comes to OSTEOSARCOMA, Mebendazole is preferred over Fenbendazole. Where the difference was most noticeable, was in inhibiting VEGF secretion - which doesn't allow the cancer to establish new blood vessels to grow."

What Does Science Say About How Fenben Works for Cancer?

A few studies have explored how Fenbendazole for humans can work alongside traditional cancer therapies to decrease cancer cells. For example, one study found that it may be effective in inhibiting the glucose intake of cancer cells, which could help prevent their growth and spread. Additionally, the drug has been shown to interfere with multiple cellular pathways in cancer patients, which could further impede the cancer cells’ ability to survive and replicate.

The positive results of research on fenbendazole for cancer mean the drug could be repurposed for treating human ailments, including cancer. Fenbendazole for humans could save a considerable amount of time and money in developing new cancer-fighting drugs.

Is Fenbendazole Safe for Humans?

Fenbendazole for humans is considered safe because of its low toxicity and high safety margin, as indicated by limited studies. However, it is important to remember that the FDA has not approved it. To determine the proper dosage of Fenbendazole for humans, studies have shown that a single oral dose of up to 2,000 mg per person or multiple doses of 500 mg per person for 10 days are generally safe. It’s important to note that these are only general guidelines, and the appropriate dosage may vary depending on each person’s specific cancer.

According to the product description on Amazon, fenbendazole is "Safe for all Dogs 6 weeks and older, including pregnant Dogs".

Based on toxicology studies, benzimidazoles such as Fenbendazole, Mebendazole or Albendazole seem to be safe drugs.

However, a drug without any side-effects does not exist. Scientific data reports do not reveal significant adverse reactions from taking fenbendazole. Despite the fact, there are anecdotal reports of potential toxicity: Up to 5 % of people can experience stomach discomfort or diarrhea when taking large quantities of fenbendazole with no breaks.

People with severe liver or kidney failure have lower medication excretion rates, therefore, fenbendazole can accumulate and cause unexpected side-effects. Doses should be divided accordingly in this situation.
When used in large quantities for a long period of time without breaks, fenbendazole can cause an asymptomatic liver enzyme increase due to the fact of the substance being mainly metabolized in the liver. This is reversible with the help of a couple week pause from the medication.

Therefore, patients should get a blood panel that includes the liver enzymes of AST, ALT, Alkaline Phosphatase, before taking Fenbendazole. Liver enzymes may also be elevated from cancer treatments, alcohol use, certain medications, and cancer itself.

Elevated liver enzymes indicate a liver that is stressed and inflamed, and adding to its burden with Fenbendazole would not be recommended.

Generally, for those with normal lab values, after one month of Fenbendazole treatment, patients should get a comprehensive metabolic panel (CMP). This standard blood test will check the liver and kidney function to assure that the patient is tolerating Fenbendazole without any concerning impacts on the vital organs.

The protocol was designed to keep the liver in optimal health, therefore the schedule of weekly 3 days on, 4 days off was previously suggested. However, more and more people are using fenbendazole on a daily basis without problems.

We would still recommend taking at least 1 day off per week to avoid over stressing the liver if the medication is to be used for prolonged periods of time (like months or years).

Fenben vs Fenbendazole: What's the Difference?

Dewormers, such as Fenben and fenbendazole, play a crucial role in keeping livestock healthy. Many wonder if these terms refer to different products or are interconnected. The truth is that Fenben is not merely another name for fenbendazole but rather a brand that harnesses the active ingredient fenbendazole to combat parasitic infestations in animals.

Yes, Fenben is the brand name for the active ingredient fenbendazole. (source)

Source and Reference:

https://healnavigator.com/blog/fenbendazole-for-humans-vs-mebendazole/

Disclaimers: 

• Please do not consider this guide as personal medical advice, but as a recommendation for use by professional providers. Consult with your doctor and discuss with her/him. 
• As we do not have information about you, our aim here isn't to replace your doctors' advice. It is intended as a sharing of knowledge and information. Do take note that most treatments are not 100% protective or curative against cancer. It's a continuous struggle between the immune system and the cancer cells. Cancer treatments are meant to assist the immune system in this battle.
• Cancer treatment should be part of a multi-modal approach in order to provide the best possible outcome. Diet and lifestyle changes are meant to run alongside conventional treatment. They are complementary, not alternative. 

New & Improved Joe Tippens Protocol

According to Dr William Makis, Canadian oncologist, the holy grail turbo cancer cure may just be the synergistic combination therapy of Fenbendazole AND Ivermectin:

• Fenbendazole is commonly taken at 300 mg for six days a week, with doses increasing to up to 1 gram in cases of aggressive "turbo cancers." The original Joe Tippens protocol recommended the Panacur C brand of fenbendazole.
• Ivermectin (24 mg, 7 days a week) or in the case of severe turbo cancers up to 1mg/kg/day.
• Bio-Available Curcumin (600mg per day, 7 days a week).
• Vitamin D (62.5 mcg [2500 IU] seven days a week).
• Enhanced absorption Berberine (500mg per day) if you are trying to starve your cancer of sugars.
• Diet and Lifestyle: Removing sugar from one’s diet is crucial during this protocol (BMJ 2023), eating a nutritious fresh whole-food diet with fruits and vegetables, avoid ultra processed foods (BMJ 2024) and a healthy lifestyle with less stress. 

Note on Vitamin E:  

According to a July 22, 2020 update by Joe Tippens:

"I have eliminated Vitamin E as a required part of the protocol as there are simply too many instances (eg, blood thinners) where it needs to be eliminated, and it is the least important of the items."

Adapted from: https://www.onedaymd.com/2024/11/fenbendazole-and-cancer-15-minutes-with.html

Read More: This article is part of the Winning the War on Cancer series.

Related: 

Ivermectin vs Fenbendazole for Cancer

Best Anti Cancer Supplements

Repurposed Drugs for Cancer: What You Need to Know

Benefits of Vitamin C in Cancer Treatment

CAR-T vs CAR-NK - The Cancer Cell Therapy Showdown

Mel Gibson had 3 Friends cure their Stage Four Cancer with Fenbendazole and Ivermectin

Turbo Cancer Debunked

Fenbendazole: Questions Answered, Things to Know, Useful Tips

The Wellness Company's Ivermectin and Mebendazole

Ivermectin and mebendazole, both approved for human use, are now available in the U.S.

Researched and approved by Dr. Peter McCullough.

• Prescribed by licensed medical professionals
• Compounded and dispensed by a licensed US-based pharmacy
• Approved for human use

Where to buy Ivermectin and Mebendazole Formula: Available on The Wellness Company's website. Here is the link: Ivermectin and Mebendazole.