Albendazole

💊 What is Albendazole used for?

• •Parenchymal neurocysticercosis with active lesions caused by larval forms of the pork tapeworm, Taenia solium (a tapeworm infection in the brain tissue)
• •Cystic hydatid disease of the liver, lung, and peritoneum (the lining of the abdomen), caused by the larval form of the dog tapeworm, Echinococcus granulosus

How it works

How it is usually taken

• •The label says to take albendazole tablets with food. The tablets may be crushed or chewed and swallowed with a drink of water. Some people, especially children, may have difficulty swallowing the tablets whole. The label says the dose depends on body weight and the condition being treated, and treatment length also depends on the condition. Follow the instructions from your prescriber or pharmacist.

Comes as

• •200 mg tablets: white to off-white, round, film-coated tablets

⚠️ Albendazole side effects

🛑 Who should not take Albendazole, and who should be careful

The label says not to take it if

• 🚨You have a known allergy (hypersensitivity) to the benzimidazole class of medicines or to any ingredient in albendazole tablets.

Tell your doctor before taking it if

• •Tell your prescriber if you are pregnant or might be pregnant. The label advises a pregnancy test before therapy for females of reproductive potential.
• •Tell your prescriber if you have liver disease, because the label says these patients are at increased risk for bone marrow suppression and need more frequent blood count monitoring.
• •Before treatment for neurocysticercosis, your prescriber should examine you for retinal (eye) lesions, because the label warns of possible retinal damage.
• •Blood counts and liver enzymes are monitored during treatment. The label describes checks at the start of each 28-day cycle for hydatid disease and at least every 2 weeks during treatment.
• •Patients treated for neurocysticercosis should receive steroid and anticonvulsant (seizure-preventing) medicines as the label describes.

🔀 Albendazole with other medicines, food and alcohol

The label says to discuss these with your doctor or pharmacist

• •Dexamethasone: the label says levels of albendazole sulfoxide were about 56% higher when given together.
• •Praziquantel: the label says it increased albendazole sulfoxide levels by about 50% when taken with food.
• •Cimetidine: the label says it increased albendazole sulfoxide levels in bile and cyst fluid by about 2-fold in hydatid cyst patients.
• •Theophylline: the label says albendazole can induce cytochrome P450 1A, so blood levels of theophylline should be monitored during and after treatment.
• •Steroid and anticonvulsant medicines are used with albendazole for neurocysticercosis, as the label describes.

Alcohol and food

The label says albendazole tablets should be taken with food. The label does not give information about alcohol.

🤰 Albendazole in pregnancy and breastfeeding

Pregnancy

The label says albendazole may cause fetal harm based on animal studies. It also says available human data from a small number of case series and reports have not identified drug-associated risks for major birth defects, miscarriage, or adverse maternal or fetal outcomes. The label advises pregnancy testing before therapy and advises pregnant women of the potential risk to the fetus. Females of reproductive potential should use effective contraception during treatment and for 3 days after the final dose.

Breastfeeding

The label does not say.

🗓️ Storage, missed doses and taking too much

Storage

The label says to store at 20 to 25 degrees C (68 to 77 degrees F), which is controlled room temperature.

If a dose is missed

The label does not say.

If too much is taken

The label says that in case of overdose, symptomatic therapy and general supportive measures are recommended.

🗒️ Questions to ask about Albendazole

• Does my condition match one of the conditions this medicine is used for?
• Do I need a pregnancy test before I start, and what kind of birth control should I use during treatment and for 3 days after the last dose?
• How often will I need blood tests for blood counts and liver enzymes?
• Do I need an eye exam before treatment for neurocysticercosis?
• Should I take steroid or seizure medicine along with albendazole?
• Are any of my other medicines, such as dexamethasone, praziquantel, cimetidine, or theophylline, a concern with this medicine?
• If I have trouble swallowing the tablet, what is the right way to take it?

❓ Albendazole: frequently asked questions