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.