Amid the rise in the popularity of Fenbendazole, much controversy over the anthelmintic for human, Albendazole, is rising regarding its use in treating cancer and rhinitis. (image: Korea Bizwire)
SEOUL, Jan. 9 (Korea Bizwire) — Dog anthelmintics are becoming highly valued in South Korea as a panacea.
Last October, comedian Kim Chul-min, a late-stage lung cancer patient, revealed that he had taken Fenbendazole for seven weeks. After weeks of taking the medication, his blood work all came back normal.
Since then, there has been a growing interest in Albendazole, known as an ‘anthelmintic for humans’ due to the increasing shortage of Fenbendazole in South Korea.
There are YouTube videos explaining the efficiency of Fenbendazole, known as a dog anthelmintic. It is known for its effectiveness in treating lung cancer.
Amid the rise in the popularity of Fenbendazole, much controversy over the anthelmintic for human, Albendazole, is rising regarding its use in treating cancer and rhinitis.
The situation originated with an American cancer patient named Joe Tippens. He took Fenbendazole and saw his cancer completely disappear.
Since then Fenbendazole rose as a “miraculous” anticancer drug among other cancer patients.
Fenbendazole has been in short supply in South Korea after the news of Tippens’ complete recovery was widely reported.
Experts say that the root cause of the sudden wave of interest in anthelmintics is “anxiety” in terminal cancer patients and “disbelief” in the current medical system.
In addition, unlike in the past, the fact that medical information can be easily accessed online has also had a significant impact.
Experts are concerned about the use of Albendazole to treat cancer and rhinitis. (image: Korea Bizwire)
Meanwhile, some interpret taking an anthelmintic to treat cancer as having medical grounds.
It is argued that the principle of treatment of an anthelmintic is not significantly different from the principle of treating certain terminal cancers or rhinitis.
Experts, however, are concerned about the use of Albendazole to treat cancer and rhinitis.
They urge that unverified information can cause diseases to develop rather than be treated, and even if temporary effects have occurred, exact usage and capacity have not been decided yet.
Furthermore, experts also say that there may be side effects including toxicity of the liver.
Amid these circumstances, the Korean Pharmaceutical Association said Wednesday that pharmacists should pay attention to prevent anthelmintics from being abused for purposes other than for their original purpose.
In addition, the association asked that the company not sell large amounts of anthelmintics in case of any circumstantial suspicion, expecting unauthorized and unconfirmed effects.
The move comes after the spread of some claims that the dog anthelmintic Fenbendazole is effective in treating cancer and that it has treated rhinitis with the human anthelmintic Albendazole.
D. M. Park (dmpark@koreabizwire.com)
