Home
BackAlbendazole Data - Uses, Dosage, Drug class, Brand name, Warnings, etc
| Pharmacology | Albendazole, a benzimidazole related to mebendazole, inhibits microtubule polymerization in parasites, disrupting their metabolism and reproduction. It has a broader spectrum of activity than mebendazole, effective against various helminths and some protozoa. |
|---|---|
| Administration and Adult Dosage |
- PO for hydatid cyst: 400 mg twice daily for 1–6 months - PO for cysticercosis: 400 mg twice daily for 8–30 days, repeat as needed - PO for Clonorchis sinensis: 10 mg/kg/day for 7 days - PO for cutaneous larva migrans: 400 mg/day for 3 days - PO for capillariasis: 400 mg/day for 10 days - PO for ascariasis, eosinophilic enterocolitis, hookworm, trichostrongylus, or trichuriasis: 400 mg once - PO for pinworms: 400 mg once, repeat in 2 weeks - PO for microsporidiosis: 400 mg twice daily (add fumagillin for ocular infections) - PO for trichinosis: 400 mg twice daily for 8–14 days - PO for visceral larva migrans (toxocariasis): 400 mg twice daily for 5 days |
| Special Populations - Pediatric Dosage |
Safety and efficacy not established; commonly used as follows: - PO for hydatid cyst: 15 mg/kg/day (max 800 mg/day) for 1–6 months - PO for cysticercosis: 15 mg/kg/day (max 800 mg/day) in 2 divided doses for 8–30 days, repeat as needed - PO for Clonorchis sinensis: 10 mg/kg/day for 7 days - PO for cutaneous larva migrans: 400 mg/day for 3 days - PO for capillariasis: 400 mg/day for 10 days - PO for ascariasis, eosinophilic enterocolitis, hookworm, trichostrongylus, or trichuriasis: 400 mg once - PO for pinworms: 400 mg once, repeat in 2 weeks - PO for trichinosis: 400 mg twice daily for 8–14 days - PO for visceral larva migrans (toxocariasis): 400 mg twice daily for 5 days |
| Special Populations - Geriatric Dosage | Same as adult dosage. |
| Dosage Forms | - Tablet: 200 mg |
| Patient Instructions |
- Take with a fatty meal to increase absorption and improve effectiveness - Report persistent diarrhea, abdominal pain, or unusual symptoms to your physician |
| Missed Doses | - Take missed dose as soon as remembered; if near next dose, take only that dose; do not double dose |
| Pharmacokinetics - Fate |
- Absorption: Poor, enhanced by fat; negligible oral bioavailability of unchanged albendazole due to first-pass metabolism to active albendazole sulfoxide - Peak Levels: Sulfoxide peaks 2–3 hr post-dose - Distribution: CNS levels ~40% of serum; echinococcal cyst levels ~25% of serum - Excretion: Primarily urinary as metabolites |
| Pharmacokinetics - t¹⁄₂ | - Albendazole sulfoxide: 10–15 hr |
| Adverse Reactions & Side Effects |
Occasional: - Diarrhea, abdominal pain, migration of roundworms through mouth/nose Rare: - Leukopenia, alopecia, increased transaminases |
| Precautions & Warnings |
- Use cautiously in pregnancy - Monitor in patients with liver dysfunction |
| Drug Interactions | - Dexamethasone increases serum albendazole sulfoxide levels by ~50% |
| Parameters to Monitor | - Hepatic transaminases and WBC count during prolonged therapy |
| Class and Drug Brand Name |
- Class: Benzimidazole Antiparasitics - Brand Name: Albenza |
References
Hand of Clinical Drug Data