From the Guidelines
Albendazole should be prescribed at a dose of 400 mg daily for 3 days for the treatment of hookworm infections, as recommended by the most recent guidelines 1.
Treatment Regimen
The treatment regimen for albendazole varies depending on the type of parasitic worm infection being treated. For hookworm infections, a 3-day course of 400 mg daily is recommended 1.
- The dosage may vary for other types of infections, such as neurocysticercosis, which may require longer treatment courses of 8-30 days or more 1.
- It is essential to take albendazole with fatty meals to increase absorption, as it is poorly soluble in water 1.
Side Effects and Monitoring
Common side effects of albendazole include abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, and headache 1.
- Liver function should be monitored during extended treatment courses, and albendazole should be used cautiously in pregnancy, particularly during the first trimester 1.
- In cases of neurocysticercosis, corticosteroids may be given concomitantly with albendazole to control inflammation and prevent exacerbation of neurological symptoms 1.
Special Considerations
For children under 2 years, the dose of albendazole may need to be reduced, and treatment duration may vary depending on the type of infection and the child's weight 1.
- In cases of complex infections, such as subarachnoid neurocysticercosis, prolonged administration of albendazole or combination therapy with praziquantel may be necessary 1.
From the FDA Drug Label
DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION Patients weighing 60 kg or greater, 400 mg twice daily; less than 60 kg, 15 mg/kg/day in divided doses twice daily (maximum total daily dose 800 mg). Albendazole tablets should be taken with food. (2) Hydatid disease: 28-day cycle followed by 14-day albendazole-free interval for a total of 3 cycles. (2) Neurocysticercosis: 8 to 30 days. (2)
The dosage and treatment regimen for Albendazole in treating parasitic worm infestations is as follows:
- For patients weighing 60 kg or greater: 400 mg twice daily
- For patients weighing less than 60 kg: 15 mg/kg/day in divided doses twice daily (maximum total daily dose 800 mg)
- The treatment regimen for Hydatid disease is a 28-day cycle followed by a 14-day albendazole-free interval for a total of 3 cycles.
- The treatment regimen for Neurocysticercosis is 8 to 30 days 2.
From the Research
Dosage and Treatment Regimen for Albendazole
The dosage and treatment regimen for Albendazole in treating parasitic worm infestations vary depending on the type of infection and the patient's age.
- For Ascaris and hookworm infections, a single dose of 400 mg is recommended 3.
- For Trichuris infections, a single dose of 600 mg is recommended 3.
- In cases of neurocysticercosis, an oral albendazole 12-step desensitization protocol can be used, starting with 0.001 mg and progressing at 15-minute intervals 4.
- For intestinal nematode and cestode infections, a single 400-mg dose of albendazole is effective, with a cure rate of 95.3% in ascariasis, 92.2% in ancylostomiasis, and 90.5% in trichuriasis 5.
Efficacy of Albendazole Against Soil-Transmitted Infections
Albendazole has shown satisfactory efficacy against soil-transmitted helminthic (STH) infections, with an egg reduction rate (ERR) of 95.54% against Ascaris lumbricoides and 93.44% against hookworms 6.
- The cure rate of albendazole against T. trichiura, A. lumbricoides, and hookworms were 50.8%, 91.3%, and 78.32%, respectively 6.
- A comparative study found that albendazole produced better cure rates and egg reduction rates for geohelminths compared to mebendazole, with cure rates of 92.4% for hookworm infection, 83.5% for Ascaris lumbricoides, and 67.8% for Trichuris trichiura 7.
Treatment Regimens for Intestinal Infections
Different treatment regimens for intestinal infections have been compared, including 4- and 6-mo repeated treatment with albendazole 600 mg or mebendazole 600 mg 7.
- The results showed that treatment with albendazole at a 6-mo interval was more effective than mebendazole regimens, with a geometric mean intensity of hookworm eggs per gram (epg) of stool decreasing by 96.7% after albendazole treatment 7.