What is the use of albendazole (anti-parasitic medication)?

From the Guidelines

Albendazole is recommended as a single dose of 400 mg for the treatment of ascariasis and other parasitic worm infections, as supported by the most recent guidelines 1. The medication is effective against a wide range of parasites, including intestinal roundworms, hookworms, pinworms, and whipworms.

• The standard adult dose is typically 400 mg taken as a single dose for most intestinal worm infections, while more complex infections may require longer treatment courses.
• For children over 2 years, the dose is the same, but children under 2 years may receive weight-based dosing.
• Albendazole works by inhibiting the formation of microtubules in parasites, preventing glucose uptake and eventually causing parasite death.
• The medication should be taken with food, particularly fatty meals, to increase absorption.
• Common side effects include abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, headache, and dizziness.
• Liver function should be monitored during prolonged treatment courses.
• Albendazole is contraindicated during pregnancy, especially in the first trimester, and should be used with caution in patients with liver disease.
• For maximum effectiveness against certain parasites, a second dose may be needed 2-3 weeks after the initial treatment to kill newly hatched larvae, as suggested by expert opinion 1. Some key points to consider when treating parasitic worm infections with albendazole include:
• The prepatent period, which is the time between infection and the appearance of eggs in the stool, can vary depending on the type of parasite.
• The distribution of parasitic worm infections can be worldwide, but some parasites are more common in certain regions, such as Africa, Asia, and South America.
• The mode of transmission can vary, but common methods include the feco-oral route and skin penetration by larvae.
• Clinical presentation can range from asymptomatic to severe symptoms, such as abdominal pain, diarrhea, and gastrointestinal obstruction.
• Investigations, such as concentrated stool microscopy or faecal PCR, are necessary to confirm the diagnosis and guide treatment 1.

From the FDA Drug Label

ALBENDAZOLE tablets, for oral use Initial U. S. Approval: 1996 INDICATIONS AND USAGE Albendazole tablets are an anthelmintic drug indicated for: Treatment of parenchymal neurocysticercosis due to active lesions caused by larval forms of the pork tapeworm, Taenia solium . (1.1) Treatment of cystic hydatid disease of the liver, lung, and peritoneum, caused by the larval form of the dog tapeworm, Echinococcus granulosus . (1. 2)

Albendazole is an anthelmintic drug used to treat:

• 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 2.

From the Research

Albendazole Overview

• Albendazole is an anthelminthic drug with a broad-spectrum activity against various parasites, including hookworm, Ascaris lumbricoides, Trichuris trichiura, Enterobius vermicularis, Strongyloides stercoralis, Taenia spp., and Hymenolepis nana 3.
• The recommended dose of albendazole is 400 mg as a single dose or 400 mg per day for 3 days, depending on the type of infection 3, 4.

Efficacy and Safety

• Albendazole has been shown to be highly effective against various parasites, with cure rates ranging from 48% to 98% depending on the type of infection 3.
• The drug has a remarkable safety record, with a low incidence of side effects, mostly gastrointestinal, occurring in less than 1% of patients 3.
• Albendazole has been used to treat millions of patients worldwide, with no significant adverse effects reported 3.

Treatment of Specific Infections

• Albendazole is effective against neurocysticercosis, a parasitic infection caused by the pork tapeworm, although it may not be effective in all cases and alternative treatments like ivermectin may be considered 5.
• The drug is also used to treat soil-transmitted nematode infections, filariasis, and other parasitic infections 6.

Desensitization and Allergic Reactions

• Albendazole desensitization protocols have been developed for patients with hypersensitivity to the drug, allowing for successful treatment of neurocysticercosis and other parasitic infections 7.