Albendazole is used to treat parasitic worm infections such as pinworm, hookworm, tapeworm, roundworm and whipworm that infect the intestines.
Take Albendazole exactly as directed by your doctor or according to the instructions on the label. Do not take more or less than instructed by your doctor.
Ask your doctor or pharmacist whether you should take this medicine with or without food. Different brands of this medicine may be taken differently.
Albendazole is available as a conventional tablet, chewable tablet or oral suspension.
If you are taking the conventional or chewable tablet, you may swallow it whole with a drink of water. If you have difficulty swallowing the tablet(s), you may chew or crush the tablet(s) then swallow with a drink of water.
If you are taking the oral suspension, shake the bottle well before you take the medicine to ensure that the liquid is evenly mixed. Use the measuring spoon or cup provided to measure your dose.
The dose of this medicine will be decided by your doctor. Your doctor will advise you on the treatment timeframe depending on the type of your infection and your response to the medication.
Take Albendazole at regular intervals. Do not skip any doses. You must complete the entire course of this medicine. If you don't, the infection will not be properly controlled.
Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and return to your normal dosing schedule.
DO NOT double a dose under any circumstances.
If you often forget to take your medicine, let your doctor and pharmacist know.
Do not take Albendazole if you ever had an allergic reaction (e.g. rashes, breathlessness, swollen eyes) to this medicine or any of its ingredients.
Do not take this medicine if you are pregnant or planning to have a baby soon. If you become pregnant while being treated with Albendazole, alert your doctor immediately. This medicine may cause harm to your unborn child.
Inform your doctor if you have the following conditions:
- lesions in the retina (an abnormal change in the structure of the layer at the back of the eye)
- liver disease
Let your doctor know if you are breastfeeding.
Be sure to check with your doctor or pharmacist before giving Albendazole to a child. Children may be more sensitive to the side effects.
Why is it important to keep my appointments with the doctor?
Keep your appointments with your doctor. Your doctor needs to monitor your condition and check your response to the medication regularly.
- Pregnancy tests and eye examinations must be done before treatment to know if this medicine is suited for you to take.
- Routine tests (e.g. liver function, complete blood count) may be done while you are being treated with this medicine. Your doctor will advise you about how often you need to have these tests.
Practice good hygiene to reduce the chances of getting infected again. Wash your hands before eating and after using the toilet.
Albendazole may cause any of the following side effects: headaches, dizziness, nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, and hair loss.
Some side effects may need immediate medical help. Alert your doctor quickly if you experience any of the following:
- rashes with peeling of the skin or blistering of the lips, mouth or eyes accompanied by fever
- yellowing of the skin or eyes, abdominal pain, dark coloured urine, tiredness, swelling in the legs and ankles
This medicine may cause the level of your red blood cells, white blood cells and platelets to drop.
Red blood cells carry oxygen around your body. A fall in the level of red blood cells may make you feel tired and worn out.
White blood cells help your body to fight infections. A fall in the level of your white blood cells may put you at higher risk for infections, such as coughs, colds and flu, which may lead to more serious infections. Avoid crowded places and people who are sick. Alert your doctor if you have a fever, cough, or flu that does not go away.
Platelets help your blood to clot when there is a cut in the skin. A fall in the level of your platelets may put you at risk of bleeding more than usual. Do not take part in activities where you may fall or get injured, such as contact sports. Alert your doctor if you get any unusual bruising (large bruises or several bruises, especially if the bruises appeared on their own) or bleeding that takes a long time to stop (for example, too much bleeding when you floss or brush your teeth).
Inform your doctor if any of these side effects do not go away or are severe, or if you experience other side effects.
Inform your doctor and pharmacist if you are taking any of these medicines:
- medicines for epilepsy (fits or seizures) e.g. carbamazepine, phenobarbital, phenytoin
- praziquantel (other medicine for parasitic worm infections)
- cimetidine (medicine that reduces stomach acid production)
- dexamethasone (anti-inflammatory medicine)
This list does not include all medicines that may interact with Albendazole.
Always notify your doctor and pharmacist if you are taking any other medicines, including herbal tonics such as traditional Chinese medicines, supplements, and medicines that you buy without a prescription.
Avoid alcohol.
Avoid excessive consumption of grapefruit or grapefruit juice (more than 1 litre a day).
Store in a cool, dry place away from the reach of children.
Medicines must not be used past the expiry date.
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