Albendazole
Indications
Albendazole is used for:
Helminthiasis, Echinococcosis, Neurocysticercosis, Enterobiasis, Ascariasis, Hookworm infections, Strongyloidiasis, Giardiasis, Filariasis
Adult Dose
Echinococcosis
Adult: <60 kg: 15 mg/kg daily 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
Adult: <60 kg: 15 mg/kg daily in 2 divided doses (max: 800 mg/day) for 8-30 days. ?60 kg: 400 mg bid for 8-30 days.
Ancylostoma, Ascariasis, Hookworm, Trichostrongylus
400 mg PO once
Child Dose
Child: PO 15 mg/kg/day (max 800 mg/day) q12h
Renal Dose
Administration
Should be taken with food.
Contra Indications
Pregnancy and lactation. Neonates. Hypersensitivity, liver impairment.
Precautions
Monitor blood counts and liver function. Administer within 7 days of start of normal menstruation in women of childbearing age. Adequate nonhormonal contraceptive measures must be taken during and for 1 mth after therapy. Perform liver function tests and blood counts before and every 2 wk during high dose therapy of hydatid disease.
Lactation: unknown, use caution.
Pregnancy-Lactation
Interactions
Increased serum concentrations w/ dexamethasone, praziquantel and cimetidine. Decreased serum concentrations w/ aminoquinoline (antimalarials), carbamazepine, phenobarbital, and phenytoin.
Adverse Effects
Side effects of Albendazole :
>10%
Headache,Neurocysticercosis (11%),Hydatid disease (1.3%),Abnormal LFT,Hydatid disease (15.6%),Neurocysticercosis (<1%)
1-10%
Abdominal pain,Hydatid disease (6%),Nausea/vomiting,Hydatid disease (3.7%),Neurocysticercosis (6.2%),Dizziness/vertigo,Hydatid disease (1.2%),Neurocysticercosis (<1%),Increased intracranial pressure,Neurocysticercosis (1%),Meningeal signs,Neurocysticercosis (1%),Alopecia (reversible),Hydatid disease (1.6%),Neurocysticercosis (<1%),Fever,Hydatid disease (1%)
<1% (selected)
Rash,Urticaria,Agranulocytosis,Aplastic anemia,Bone marrow suppression,Granulocytopenia,Pancytopenia,Thrombocytopenia,Hepatitis,Acute liver failure,Acute renal failure
Potentially Fatal: Bone marrow depression.
Mechanism of Action
Albendazole sulfoxide (active metabolite), causes selective degeneration of cytoplasmic microtubules in intestinal and tegmental cells of intestinal helminths and larvae; glycogen is depleted, glucose uptake and cholinesterase secretion are impaired and desecratory substances accumulate intracellulary. ATP production decreases, causing energy depletion, immobilisation and worm death.