Ivermectin vs Mebendazole for Cancer: What is the Difference?

Contents

• Introduction
• What is Ivermectin?
• The Role of Ivermectin in Cancer Symptoms
• What is Mebendazole?
• Do Ivermectin and Mebendazole help against cancer? (video by oncologist)
• New & Improved Joe Tippens Protocol
• Conclusion

Introduction

Is ivermectin and mebendazole the same thing? Ivermectin and mebendazole are two anti-parasitic drugs that ⁢have gained attention in recent years as alternative forms of treatment for cancer. We’ve broken down the essential things you need to know about these medications for cancer in humans.

This article aims to‌ explore the ‌key ⁣differences between⁣ Mebendazole and Ivermectin, examining their mechanisms of action, approved uses, and current research surrounding their efficacy in various‌ medical contexts. By understanding these differences, readers can gain a ⁤clearer perspective⁢ on the unique characteristics of each drug and their potential ‍roles in ‌human ‍health.

Mebendazole seem the perfect pairing with Ivermectin as an off label combination against cancer; recent research shows this combination attacks the mitochondrial stem cell connection. (source)

What Is Ivermectin?

Ivermectin is an anti-parasite drug used to treat various parasite infections in humans, but it can also be used to treat other health conditions like river blindness, onchocerciasis, intestinal strongyloidiasis, and onchocerciasis.

Ivermectin is often recognized – 2nd to penicillin – for having the greatest impact on human health. And its discovery won the Nobel Prize in 2015. Ivermectin has an increasing list of indications due to its antiviral and anti-inflammatory properties, and is included on the WHO’s Model List of Essential Medicines. 

Several studies reported antiviral effects of ivermectin on RNA viruses such as dengue, Zika, yellow fever, West Nile, Hendra, Newcastle, Venezuelan equine encephalitis, chikungunya, Semliki Forest, Sindbis, Avian influenza A, Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome, Human immunodeficiency virus type 1, and COVID 19 virus.

The Role of Ivermectin in Cancer Symptoms

Several clinical trials have been done to prove the effectiveness of Ivermectin against cancer cells with low enough dosages to be non-toxic to the normal cells. Research suggests that Ivermectin suppresses the growth and spread of cancer cells and promotes cancer cell death. Ivermectin proved successful against cancer cells when combined with chemotherapy or other targeted drugs and shows brilliant effectiveness against conventional chemotherapy drug-resistant cancer cells.

Ivermectin also shows efficacy for colorectal antitumor properties. Colorectal cancer still doesn’t have an effective treatment, but Ivermectin has been shown to possess anti-virus, anti-inflammatory, and antitumor properties. Another study shows that after treatment with Ivermectin for breast cancer, the proliferation of multiple breast cancer cell lines was significantly reduced.

Ivermectin Effectiveness

• Ivermectin and breast cancer: Ivermectin has been found to turn cold breast tumors hot. Cold tumors mean there are little to no infiltrating T-cells. However, Ivermectin treatment led to robust T-cell infiltration, which turned the tumors into hot ones. This suggests that Ivermectin could synergize with proteins like the PD-1, which help the immune system by acting as a brake on T-cells. This will increase immunity and help the body eradicate cancer.
• Ivermectin and digestive system cancer: Clinical studies show that dose-dependant Ivermectin inhibits the proliferation of glioblastoma cells in humans and induced apoptosis. Ivermectin has the potential to resist tumor angiogenesis and tumor metastasis.
• Ivermectin and lung cancer: Ivermectin significantly inhibits the production of lung cancer cells by inhibiting the YAP1 activity. Ivermectin can also reduce the metastasis of lung cancer cells by impeding EMT.
• Ivermectin and melanoma: Melanoma cells were treated with Ivermectin and showed the potential to effectively inhibit melanoma activity.
• Ivermectin and ovarian cancer: Ivermectin has the potential to block a cell cycle and induce cell apoptosis in ovarian cancer. The combination of Ivermectin and paclitaxel has a synergized effect on ovarian cancer. A combined treatment of these two almost completely inhibited tumor growth in vivo.

• Ivermectin and colon cancer: Ivermectin has been shown to have anti-virus, anti-inflammatory, and anti-tumor properties when it comes to colorectal cancer.

Related: Ivermectin Cancer Success Stories: Case Series

Ivermectin and Fenbendazole for Cancer

Ivermectin and fenbendazole are not the same; they are different medications. Ivermectin is primarily used to treat parasitic infections in both humans and animals, while fenbendazole is an anthelmintic drug mainly used in veterinary medicine to eliminate gastrointestinal parasites, but both have shown potential anticancer properties.

If you were to compare our case series for fenbendazole vs ivermectin, you will realize that fenbendazole has relatively more clinical evidence as compared to ivermectin. That does not mean that fenbendazole is better than ivermectin for cancer as there is no direct head to head comparative clinical study to prove that.

However, when taken together, ivermectin and fenbendazole could deliver a one-two punch to cancer. When combined with other anti-cancer nutrients such as vitamins D and C, quercetin and curcumin, the effects are even more pronounced.

Preclinical studies show that both ivermectin and fenbendazole exhibit cytotoxic effects against cancer cells. The two drugs also inhibit the growth and spread of cancerous tumors.

"The mechanisms underlying these effects appear to involve disruption of critical cellular processes, leading to cancer cell death," wrote Sid Belzberg in a paper cited by one of 2nd Smartest Guy in the World's readers.

Both ivermectin and fenbendazole are off-patent drugs, meaning their original intended use as licensed has expired and they have become generics. This allows for many different generic drug manufacturers, including a slew of them across India, to produce them cheaply and abundantly.

United States regulators make it hard to access them without a prescription – unless you purchase the versions available for pets – but they are out there. And when combined with other anti-cancer vitamins and minerals they show incredible promise in cancer prevention and mitigation.

You will be hard-pressed to find much helpful information about these two drugs in the mainstream, though. Because they are off-patent, ivermectin and fenbendazole bring in minimal profits, which means pharmaceutical companies are not interested in promoting them or touting their benefits.

Belzberg makes the case for ivermectin and fenbendazole to be compounded with other complementary substances to create a synergistic anti-cancer concoction that is safe and effective for widespread use.

"Despite these challenges, the repurposing of these compounds carries potential advantages that justify further exploration," Belzberg wrote. "Since the safety and pharmacokinetic profiles of these substances are well-known, their development as anticancer agents could be faster and less expensive than for new drugs."

"Furthermore, the successful repurposing of these compounds could provide a cost-effective way to expand anticancer treatments, possibly improving patient outcomes while reducing healthcare costs."

Another paper by Belzberg suggests that taking ivermectin with quercetin can synergistically fight prion diseases, also known as transmissible spongiform encephalopathies, or TSEs.

TSEs represent a group of fatal neurodegenerative diseases characterized by the misfolding of the prion protein, or PrP.

"The promise shown by ivermectin and quercetin in their potential anti-prion activities and their modulation of tauopathy offers an interesting avenue for further exploration," he wrote.

 

What is Mebendazole?

Fenbendazole, mebendazole and albendazole are part of a larger group of drugs known as benzimidazole*, which are anthelmintic drugs (i.e., drugs that kill parasitic worms). Mebendazole is another benzimidazole, 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.

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.

According to Dr William Makis (X.com):

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

Do Ivermectin and Mebendazole help against cancer? - Dr. Igor Atabekov (oncologist)

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

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."

New & Improved Joe Tippens Protocol

In 2016, Joe Tippens was diagnosed with non-small-cell lung cancer with extensive metastatic disease. At the advice of a veterinarian friend, he took Fenbendazole together with nanocurcumin, and three months after starting these drugs his PET scan was completely clear.

Below is a modified version of the Joe Tippens protocol, a synergistic combination of fenbendazole, ivermectin and nutraceuticals, updated based on the above protocol (Journal of Orthomolecular Medicine 2024):

• Ivermectin (24 mg, 7 days a week) or in the case of severe aggresive cancers up to 1mg/kg/day.
• Mebendazole (Dose of 200 - 400 mg/day) or Fenbendazole, commonly taken at 300 mg for six days a week, with doses increasing to up to 1 gram in cases of aggressive cancers.
• Vitamin D (62.5 mcg [2500 IU] seven days a week).
• Bio-Available Curcumin (600 mg per day, 7 days a week). 
• Enhanced absorption Berberine (500 mg per day) to starve your cancer of sugar.
• Diet and Lifestyle: Eliminate sugar (BMJ 2023), adopt a whole-food diet, avoid ultra-processed foods (BMJ 2024), prioritise sleep, and manage stress.

*Notes:

• Please note that this protocol now includes the vital Vitamin D addition, with the one day off for the fenbendazole administration. This protocol represents the most comprehensive and cutting edge repurposed drug and vitamin treatment approach to date.
• If you are taking ivermectin and mebendazole, you might not need fenbendazole. Consult your doctor.
• Vitamin E: Removed from the protocol (Joe Tippens, July 22, 2020) due to interactions (e.g., with blood thinners).

Conclusion

While both fenbendazole and ivermectin are ⁢antiparasitic‍ medications, they have distinct differences​ in their⁤ chemical structures, mechanisms of action, and approved uses. Fenbendazole is primarily used in veterinary medicine for treating various internal parasites in‌ animals, while ivermectin has applications in both human and animal health. Understanding these key differences is crucial for⁢ healthcare professionals to make⁢ informed decisions about treatment options. As with any‌ medication, it is essential to consult with a qualified medical professional before‌ use.

​Ultimately, the ⁢choice between Ivermectin and Fenbendazole⁤ should be based ⁣on the patient’s individual health profile,⁢ and ⁤the most current⁤ clinical‍ guidelines. When taken together, ivermectin and fenbendazole could deliver a one-two punch to cancer. When combined with other anti-cancer nutrients such as quercetin, vitamins C and D, and curcumin, the effects are even more pronounced.

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

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. 

References: 

1. Fenbendazole vs Mebendazole
2. Ivermectin for cancer treatment dosage
3. Ivermectin vs Fenbendazole for Cancer
4. Best Anti Cancer Supplements
5. Repurposed Drugs for Cancer: What You Need to Know
6. Mel Gibson had 3 Friends cure their Stage Four Cancer with Fenbendazole and Ivermectin
7. Turbo Cancer Debunked
8. 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.