Albendazole

Brand Names

Albendazole, Albenza

What is Albendazole

Albendazole is an anthelmintic or anti-worm medication that belongs to a class of medications called antihelmintics. It works by killing the worms. This medication is effective in the prevention of newly hatched insect larvae (worms) from growing or multiplying in your body. Albendazole is beneficial for treating certain infections caused by worms such as pork tapeworm and dog tapeworm.

Side effects of Albendazole

Albendazole common side effects include:

• stomach pain
• nausea
• vomiting
• headache
• dizziness
• reversible hair loss

If you have noticed any of these serious side effects, you should stop treatment by this medication and contact your doctor at once:

• sore throat, fever, chills and other signs of infection
• unusual bleeding or bruising
• weakness
• fatigue
• pale skin
• shortness of breath
• rash
• hives

Indication

Albendazole is used to treat neurocysticercosis (infection caused by the pork tapeworm in the muscles, brain and eyes that may cause seizures, brain swelling and vision problems). Albendazole is also used along with surgery to treat cystic hydatid disease (infection caused by the dog tapeworm in the liver, lung, and lining of the abdomen that may damage these organs).

Precautions

It is very important to inform your doctor before taking albendazole if you:

• are allergic to albendazole, mebendazole, any other medications or any of the ingredients in albendazole tablets
• are taking any other prescription and non-prescription medications, vitamins, nutritional supplements and herbal products you are taking or plan to take
• have or have ever had liver disease
• are pregnant, could be pregnant or plan to become pregnant
• are breastfeeding
• are having surgery, including dental surgery, tell the doctor or dentist that you are taking albendazole
• are taking albendazole to treat neurocysticercosis, your doctor will probably tell you to take certain medications to prevent damage to the nervous system during your treatment. Contact your doctor at once if you have any of the following symptoms: seizures, headache, vomiting,extreme tiredness or changes in behavior

Dosage forms

Dose of Albendazole for treating Hydatid disease (Echinococcosis)

The recommended dose for people weighting 60 kg or greater is 400 mg twice daily, with meals.

For people weighting less than 60 kg, the recommended dose of albendazole is 15 mg/kg/day given in divided doses twice daily with meals (maximum total daily dose 800 mg).

The treatment interval should be 28-day cycle followed by a 14-day albendazole-fre

e interval, for a total of 3 cycles.

It is very important to know that using albendazole in the pre- or post-surgical setting, optimal killing of cyst contents is achieved when 3 courses of therapy have been given.

Dose of Albendazole for treating Neurocysticercosis

The recommended dose for people weighting 60 kg or greater is 400 mg twice daily, with meals.

For people weighting less than 60 kg, the recommended dose of albendazole is 15 mg/kg/day given in divided doses twice daily with meals (maximum total daily dose 800 mg). The treatment interval should be 8–30 days.

It is very important to note that people being treated for neurocysticercosis should receive appropriate steroid and anticonvulsant therapy as required. Oral or intravenous corticosteroids should be considered to prevent cerebral hypertensive episodes during the first week of treatment.