Albendazole, also known as albendazolum, is a medication used for the treatment of a variety of parasitic worm infestations. It is useful for giardiasis, trichuriasis, filariasis, neurocysticercosis, hydatid disease, pinworm disease, and ascariasis, among others.
Albendazole is a broad spectrum anthelmintic. Albendazole exhibits vermicidal, ovicidal and larvicidal activities. The drug is thought to exert its anthelmintic effect by blocking glucose uptake in the susceptible helminths, thereby depleting the energy level until it becomes inadequate for survival. Immobilization is followed by the parasite. These events may be a consequence of the binding and subsequent inhibition of parasite tubulin polymerization by Albendazole and its metabolites, although the drug also binds to human tubulin. Albendazole is extensively metabolized, probably in the liver. Albendazole is poorly absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract but rapidly undergoes extensive first-pass metabolism. The principal metabolite albendazole sulphoxide has anthelmintic activity and a plasma half-life of about 8.5 hrs. It is excreted in the urine together with other metabolites.
Adult : PO Echinococcosis <60 kg: 15 mg/kg/day in 2 divided doses. Max: 800 mg/day. -60 kg: 400 mg bid. Admin dose for three 28-day cycles w/ a 14-day drug-free interval in between each cycle. Neurocysticercosis <60 kg: 15 mg/kg/day in 2 divided doses (max: 800 mg/day) for 8-30 days. -60 kg: 400 mg bid for 8-30 days. Should be taken with food.
No interaction involving Albendazole, either pharmacodynamic or pharmacokinetic, has been reported.
Patient w/ retinal lesions. Patient treated for neurocysticercosis should receive appropriate steroid and anticonvulsant therapy as required. Pregnancy and lactation.
Headache, increased intracranial pressure, dizziness, fever, vertigo, meningeal signs, alopecia, abdominal pain, nausea and vomiting, hypersensitivity reactions including rash and urticaria, elevations of hepatic enzymes, hepatitis, acute liver failure, erythema multiforme, Stevens-Johnson syndrome, acute renal failure. Potentially Fatal: Bone marrow suppression leading to pancytopenia, aplastic anaemia, agranulocytosis and leucopenia.
Category C: Either studies in animals have revealed adverse effects on the foetus (teratogenic or embryocidal or other) and there are no controlled studies in women or studies in women and animals are not available. Drugs should be given only if the potential benefit justifies the potential risk to the foetus.
Keep in a dry place, away from light and heat. Keep out of the reach of children.
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