Albendazole Dosing for a 3-Year-Old Child Weighing 12 kg
For a 3-year-old child weighing 12 kg, the recommended dose of albendazole is 7.5 mg/kg twice daily, which equals 90 mg twice daily (total daily dose of 180 mg). 1
Dosing Rationale
- The FDA-approved dosing for albendazole in patients weighing less than 60 kg is 15 mg/kg/day divided into two doses (7.5 mg/kg twice daily) 1
- For this 12 kg child, the calculation is: 12 kg × 7.5 mg/kg = 90 mg per dose, given twice daily 1
- The maximum total daily dose should not exceed 800 mg 1
Administration Guidelines
- Albendazole should be taken with food to improve absorption 1
- The duration of treatment depends on the specific parasitic infection being treated:
Efficacy Considerations
- Albendazole is highly effective against Ascaris lumbricoides (roundworm) with cure rates approaching 100% 4
- It is also very effective against hookworm infections with cure rates of 97-99% 4
- Less effective against Trichuris trichiura (whipworm) with cure rates of 30-60% 4
- For Giardia intestinalis, a 3-day regimen produces moderate cure rates (around 50%) 5
Safety Profile
- Albendazole is generally well-tolerated in children 5, 6
- Mild and transient side effects may occur but are typically not severe 4
- For treatment courses longer than 14 days, monitoring for hepatotoxicity and leukopenia is recommended 2
- Absorption can be improved by administering with fatty meals 2
Common Pitfalls and Caveats
- Underdosing is a common mistake that can lead to treatment failure, especially for resistant parasites 4
- The dose should be calculated based on the child's actual weight, not age alone 1
- For certain parasitic infections like microsporidiosis in immunocompromised patients, higher doses (7.5 mg/kg twice daily) and longer treatment durations may be necessary 2
- For treatment of neurocysticercosis or hydatid disease, longer treatment courses are required (8-30 days for neurocysticercosis, 28-day cycles for hydatid disease) 1