Albendazole

What is Albendazole?

• Albendazole (Albenza; Zentel) is an anthelmintic drug used for the treatment of parenchymal neurocysticercosis (infection caused by the pork tapeworm in the muscles, brain, and eyes that may cause seizures, brain swelling, and vision problems) and cystic hydatid disease (infection caused by the dog tapeworm in the liver, lung, and lining of the abdomen that may damage these organs) of the liver, lung, and peritoneum.

Albendazole

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What are the uses of this medicine?

Albendazole (Albenza; Zentel) is used for the treatment of:

• parenchymal neurocysticercosis due to active lesions caused by larval forms of the pork tapeworm, Taenia solium.
• cystic hydatid disease of the liver, lung, and peritoneum, caused by the larval form of the dog tapeworm, Echinococcus granulosus.

How does this medicine work?

Albendazole (al ben' da zole) is a benzimidazole antihelmintic agent similar in structure and mechanism of action to thiabendazole and mebendazole and the veterinary agent fenbendazole.

• Albendazole binds to the colchicine‑sensitive site of β‑tubulin inhibiting their polymerization into microtubules.
• The decrease in microtubules in the intestinal cells of the parasites decreases their absorptive function, especially the uptake of glucose by the adult and larval forms of the parasites, and also depletes glycogen storage.
• Insufficient glucose results in insufficient energy for the production of adenosine trisphosphate (ATP) and the parasite eventually dies.
• Parasitic resistance to albendazole is caused by changes in amino acids that result in changes in the β‑tubulin protein.
• This causes reduced binding of the drug to β‑tubulin.

Who Should Not Use this medicine ?

This medicine cannot be used in patients with:

• known hypersensitivity to the benzimidazole class of compounds or any components of Albendazole Tablets.

What drug interactions can this medicine cause?

• Tell your healthcare provider about all the medicines you take, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements.

Be sure to mention any of the following:

• theophylline
• Dexamethasone
• Praziquantel
• Cimetidine

Is this medicine FDA approved?

• Albendazole has proven efficacy against several parasitic worms and was FDA approved for use in the United States in 1996.

How should this medicine be used?

• Patients 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.

Recommended dosage: Hydatid disease: Patients weighing 60 kg or greater:

• 400 mg twice daily

less than 60 kg:

• 15 mg/kg/day in divided doses twice daily (maximum total daily dose 800 mg).

Duration:

• 28‑day cycle followed by a 14‑day albendazole‑free interval, for a total of 3 cycles

Neurocysticercosis: Patients weighing 60 kg or greater:

• 400 mg twice daily

less than 60 kg:

• 15 mg/kg/day in divided doses twice daily (maximum total daily dose 800 mg).

Duration: 8 to 30 days.

Administration:

• Albendazole comes as a tablet to take by mouth.
• It is usually taken with food twice a day. When albendazole is used to treat neurocysticercosis, it is usually taken for 8 to 30 days.
• When albendazole is used to treat cystic hydatid disease, it is usually taken for 28 days, followed by a 14-day break, and repeated for a total of three cycles.
• Take albendazole at around the same times every day.
• If you are giving the medication to a child or if you cannot swallow the tablets whole, you may crush or chew the tablets and swallow the medication with a drink of water.
• Take albendazole until you finish the prescription, even if you feel better.
• If you stop taking albendazole too soon or skip doses, your infection may not be completely treated.

What are the dosage forms and brand names of this medicine?

This medicine is available in fallowing doasage form:

• As Tablet: 200 mg

This medicine is available in fallowing brand namesː

• Albenza; Zentel

What side effects can this medication cause?

The most common side effects of this medicine include: In hydatid disease:

• abnormal liver function tests
• abdominal pain
• nausea/vomiting
• reversible alopecia
• headache
• dizziness/vertigo
• fever

In neurocysticercosis:

• headache
• nausea/ vomiting
• raised intracranial pressure
• meningeal signs

Albendazole may cause some serious side effects which may include:

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

What special precautions should I follow?

• Fatalities have been reported due to bone marrow suppression; monitor blood counts in all patients at the beginning of each 28‑day cycle of therapy, and every 2 weeks while on therapy. Discontinue Albendazole Tablets if clinically significant changes in blood counts occur.
• Based on findings from animal reproduction studies, Albendazole Tablets may cause fetal harm when administered to a pregnant woman. Pregnancy testing is recommended for females of reproductive potential prior to therapy. Advise females of reproductive potential of the potential risk to a fetus and to use an effective method of contraception.
• Neurocysticercosis patients may experience cerebral hypertensive episodes, seizures or focal neurologic deficits after initiation of therapy; begin appropriate steroid and anticonvulsant therapy.
• Cysticercosis may involve the retina. Before initiating therapy for neurocysticercosis, examine the patient for the presence of retinal lesions.
• Elevations of liver enzymes may occur. Monitor liver enzymes before the start of each treatment cycle and at least every 2 weeks while on Albendazole Tablets therapy and discontinue if clinically significant elevations occur.
• Undiagnosed neurocysticercosis may be uncovered in patients treated with Albendazole Tablets for other conditions.
• Some people, particularly children, may experience difficulties swallowing the Albendazole Tablets whole.
• Take Albendazole Tablets with food.

What to do in case of emergency/overdose?

In case of overdose, call the poison control helpline of your country. In the United States, call 1-800-222-1222.

• Overdose related information is also available online at poisonhelp.org/help.
• In the event that the victim has collapsed, had a seizure, has trouble breathing, or can't be awakened, immediately call emergency services. In the United States, call 911.

Can this medicine be used in pregnancy?

• Albendazole Tablets may cause fetal harm when administered to a pregnant woman.
• Advise females of reproductive potential to use effective contraception during treatment with Albendazole Tablets and for 3 days after the final dose.
• Pregnancy testing is recommended for females of reproductive potential prior to initiating Albendazole Tablets.

Can this medicine be used in children?

• Hydatid disease is uncommon in infants and young children.
• In neurocysticercosis, the efficacy of Albendazole Tablets in children appears to be similar to that in adults.

What are the active and inactive ingredients in this medicine?

Active ingredients:

• ALBENDAZOLE

Inactive Ingredients:

• LACTOSE MONOHYDRATE
• MAGNESIUM STEARATE
• CELLULOSE, MICROCRYSTALLINE
• POVIDONE
• SODIUM LAURYL SULFATE
• SODIUM STARCH GLYCOLATE TYPE A POTATO
• STARCH, CORN
• HYPROMELLOSES

Who manufactures and distributes this medicine?

Manufactured for:

• Edenbridge Pharmaceuticals, LLC
• Parsippany, NJ

What should I know about storage and disposal of this medication?

• Store at 20° to 25°C (68° to 77°F).

• Dailymed label info on Albendazole
• FDA Albendazole

Albendazole Resources
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The following are antihelmintic agents 

• Albendazole
• Ivermectin
• Mebendazole
• Nitazoxanide
• Pentamidine
• Praziquantel
• Pyrantel
• Thiabendazole