Albendazole Brand And Generic Names

What is Albendazole?

Albendazole is a medication prescribed to treat a variety of parasitic infections (so called, worm infections), such as neurocysticercosis. It is a benzimidazole drug, effective in treating flatworms such as fasciocolosis, tapeworm/cestodes such as echinococcosis, roundworms and other infections.

Albendazole precautions:

Taking into consideration that Albendazole is a medication used to treat tapeworm and some other infections, there are special precautions while starting the treatment. Albendazole is a strong medicine, thus, consult a doctor in order to determine the correct doses according to your weight and some other indicators.

• Duration of treatment has to be followed as prescribed, because worm infections are harder to treat and require exact following of the doses;
• Patient has to perform blood tests on a regular basis because albendazole normally lowers the blood cells that fight with the infection and if the doses are too high, then the blood cells may get too low.

Albendazole contra-indications

Avoid the use of Albendazole and be cautious if:

• Have allergy to albendazole or any other inactive ingredient of Albendazole or such medication as mebendazole;
• Patients with abnormal liver functions and liver disease;
• Pregnant or breastfeeding; albendazole passes into the breast milk and may harm the infant;

How to use Albendazole?

Albendazole is the type of medicine given only orally. For different type of infection it treats it has different dosage and indications. It is recommended to consult a doctor so that he could depict the infection you have and give you the right treatment. Duration of treatment depends on the infection, but usually it lasts for about 4 weeks and then is given a pause of two weeks, for a total of three cycles.
In case of Echinococcoysis, the dose is given according to patient’s weight, and if the weight is less than 60 kg the dose is 15 mg per kg per day twice daily (morning and evening) with a maximum daily dose of 800 mg. If the patient’s weight is greater than 60 kg then the dose is 400 mg twice daily. For a better absorption of the medicine it is recommended to take it with meals. The duration of treatment is 28 days followed by 14 days free of Albendazole usage, for a total of 3 cycles. In order to kill the cyst contents, it is very important to follow exactly the period
In case of Filaria, there is prescribed a dose of only 400 mg. Duration of treatment is established by the doctor, that is why do not take on your own the doses without a doctor’s supervision.
If it is depicted the Neurocysticercosis’ infection, the dose is prescribed according to the patient’s weight. If the patient has less than 60 kg it is prescribed a dose of 15 mg per kg per day usually twice daily with meals, the maximum daily dose is 800 mg. If the patient has more than 60 kg usually the prescribed dose is 400 mg twice daily during meals. Duration of treatment is from 8 to 30 days, for a general prophylaxis.

Possible side effects while using Albendazole

Like all drugs, Albendazole also has side effects, but each person may experience more or less severe adverse reactions. This happens because each body reacts differently to medications considering his immune system and so on. It is important to consult a doctor for more detailed information about the adverse reactions which are most likely to occur to you.
The symptoms of an allergic reaction are:

• Swelling of the face, throat or tongue;
• Difficulty in breathing;
• Hives

If you feel any of these symptoms in the beginning of treatment, seek immediate medical help.
The most common adverse reactions that may appear during treatment with Albendazole are:

• Headache;
• Vomiting;
• Stomach and abdominal pains;
• Dizziness;
• Temporary loss of hair;
• Nausea.

Still, there are more serious side effects that may happen to you, and these are:
Unusual weakness;

• Easy bleeding or bruising;
• Fever;
• Body aches;
• Muscle pain;
• Rash;
• Pruritus;
• Peeling.

The above listed side effects are not the only ones that might occur, for any information about it address to a doctor or pharmacist.

Interactions with other drugs

For a correct treatment, make sure you tell your doctor about all the medications you take, with or without prescription, or maybe herbal products you take, have a list of them and show it to him.
NOTE:  if you start treatment with Albendazole, follow exactly all the instructions. Respect the doses do not change nor stop taking Albendazole for some other reasons unless your doctor tells you so. Do not pass them to anybody.

It is recommended to avoid the following drugs, whose interaction with Albendazole is unwanted:

• Praziquantel;
• Cimetidine;
• Theophyline;
• Dexamethasone.

There might also be some ingredients of the minerals you take, or vitamins that you consider safe but in reality there can occur serious effects, that is why make sure you tell all the products you take.

If you miss a dose of Albendazole

If during treatment you forget to take a dose, there is nothing to worry about, take it as soon as you remember. If it is already too late and it is time to take the scheduled dose, skip the missed dose and return to your normal schedule.  Taking 2 doses very close in time may cause overdose.

Albendazole Overdose

The symptoms of overdose are not known, these might reflect in any of the side effects listed above and in a lower or increased reaction of the body to medication. That is why consult your doctor for any issues or questions you have and be precautious during treatment.

How to store Albendazole?

As in case of most medication, it is recommended to store Aggrenox at room temperature (15-25 degrees C), away from heat, light and moisture. Do not store such type of medication in the bathroom. Also, keep Albendazole out of the reach of children and pets.
Consult a doctor or pharmacist to get informed about the safe way of disposal of the medicine, and do not throw it unless instructed to do so.