Albendazole: Indication, Dosage, Side Effect, Precaution

Generic Medicine Info Patient Medicine Information

This information is not country-specific. Please refer to the Thailand prescribing information.

Generic Medicine Info

Indications and Dosage

Oral
Echinococcosis

Adult: As treatment of cystic hydatid disease of the liver, lung and peritoneum: <60 kg: 15 mg/kg daily in 2 divided doses, up to Max total daily dose of 800 mg; ≥60 kg: 400 mg bid. Doses are given for 28 days followed by a 14-day drug-free period for a total of 3 cycles. Treatment and dosing recommendations may vary among individual products and between countries (refer to specific product guidelines).

Oral
Neurocysticercosis

Adult: As treatment of parenchymal neurocysticercosis: <60 kg: 15 mg/kg daily in 2 divided doses, up to Max total daily dose of 800 mg; ≥60 kg: 400 mg bid. Doses are given for 8-30 days. Initiate concomitant appropriate corticosteroid or anticonvulsant therapy as needed. Treatment and dosing recommendations may vary among individual products and between countries (refer to specific product guidelines).

Oral
Ascariasis, Enterobiasis, Hookworm infections, Trichuriasis

Adult: 400 mg as a single dose. Treatment and dosing recommendations may vary among individual products and between countries (refer to specific product guidelines).
Child: 1-2 years 200 mg as a single dose; >2 years Same as adult dose. Treatment and dosing recommendations may vary among individual products and between countries (refer to specific product guidelines).

Oral
Strongyloidiasis

Adult: 400 mg once daily or bid for 3 consecutive days. Treatment and dosing recommendations may vary among individual products and between countries (refer to specific product guidelines).
Child: >2 years Same as adult dose. Treatment and dosing recommendations may vary among individual products and between countries (refer to specific product guidelines).

Oral
Capillariasis

Adult: 400 mg daily for 10 days. Treatment and dosing recommendations may vary among individual products and between countries (refer to specific product guidelines).

Oral
Trichostrongyliasis

Adult: 400 mg as a single dose. Treatment and dosing recommendations may vary among individual products and between countries (refer to specific product guidelines).

Administration

Should be taken with food. For systemic infections, administer w/ high-fat meal to increase absorption. For patients w/ swallowing difficulty, tab may be crushed/chewed.
Should be taken on an empty stomach. For intraluminal infections w/o systemic involvement, take on an empty stomach. For patients w/ swallowing difficulty, tab may be crushed/chewed.

Contraindications

Hypersensitivity. Pregnancy.

Special Precautions

Patient with cysticercosis retinal lesions. May worsen symptoms of neurocysticercosis by inducing an inflammatory response. Hepatic impairment. Children. Lactation.

Adverse Reactions

Significant: Bone marrow suppression, aplastic anaemia, agranulocytosis; mild to moderate elevation of liver enzymes, hepatitis, acute liver failure.
Blood and lymphatic system disorders: Leucopenia, neutropenia.
Gastrointestinal disorders: Nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, diarrhoea.
General disorders and administration site conditions: Fever.
Nervous system disorders: Dizziness, headache.
Skin and subcutaneous tissue disorders: Alopecia.
Potentially Fatal: Granulocytopenia or pancytopenia.

Pregnancy Category (US FDA)

PO: C

Monitoring Parameters

Evaluate pregnancy status in women of childbearing potential before therapy. Perform ophthalmic exams for the presence of retinal lesions before treatment initiation when used for neurocysticercosis. Monitor liver enzymes (transaminases) before the start of each treatment cycle and at least every 2 weeks during therapy. Monitor CBC with differential. Assess for signs and symptoms of cerebral hypertension, focal neurologic deficits or seizures.

Drug Interactions

Concurrent use with cimetidine, dexamethasone and praziquantel increases the plasma concentrations of albendazole sulfoxide (active metabolite). Concomitant use with carbamazepine, phenobarbital and phenytoin significantly decreases the concentration of albendazole sulfoxide.

Food Interaction

Increased bioavailability with fatty meals or grapefruit juice.

Action

Description:
Mechanism of Action: Albendazole, a benzimidazole derivative, binds to free β-tubulin in parasite cells. This results in selective inhibition of parasite microtubule polymerisation and inhibition of microtubule-dependent glucose uptake. Insufficient glucose causes a lack of adenosine triphosphate (ATP) resulting in the death of the parasite.
Pharmacokinetics:
Absorption: Poorly absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract. Increased bioavailability with a fatty meal. Time to peak plasma concentration: 2-5 hours (albendazole sulfoxide).
Distribution: Widely distributed throughout the body including bile, cyst fluid or wall, CSF, liver and urine. Enters breast milk. Plasma protein binding: 70%.
Metabolism: Metabolised in the liver via rapid sulfoxidation into albendazole sulfoxide (active metabolite), then further metabolised into albendazole sulfone and other primary oxidative metabolites. Undergoes extensive first-pass metabolism.
Excretion: Via urine (<1% as active metabolite); faeces. Elimination half-life: 8-12 hours (albendazole sulfoxide).

Chemical Structure

Storage

Store below 30°C.

MIMS Class

Anthelmintics

ATC Classification

P02CA03 - albendazole ; Belongs to the class of benzimidazole derivative agents. Used as antinematodal.

References

Albendazole Tablet (Cipla USA Inc.). DailyMed. Source: U.S. National Library of Medicine. https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed. Accessed 12/02/2024.

Albendazole. Gold Standard Drug Database in ClinicalKey [online]. Elsevier Inc. https://www.clinicalkey.com. Accessed 14/02/2024.

Anon. Albendazole. AHFS Clinical Drug Information [online]. Bethesda, MD. American Society of Health-System Pharmacists, Inc. https://www.ahfscdi.com. Accessed 12/02/2024.

Anon. Albendazole. Lexicomp Online. Hudson, Ohio. Wolters Kluwer Clinical Drug Information, Inc. https://online.lexi.com. Accessed 12/02/2024.

Buckingham R (ed). Albendazole. Martindale: The Complete Drug Reference [online]. London. Pharmaceutical Press. https://www.medicinescomplete.com. Accessed 12/02/2024.

Champs D-Worms 200 mg Chocolate Flavour Chewable Tablet (Duopharma Manufacturing [Bangi] Sdn. Bhd.).  National Pharmaceutical Regulatory Agency - Ministry of Health Malaysia.  https://www.npra.gov.my. Accessed 12/02/2024.

Denzol 200 mg Film Coated Tablet and 20 mg/mL Suspension (EIPICO). MIMS Malaysia. http://www.mims.com/malaysia. Accessed 12/02/2024.

Idaman Pharma Albendazole Suspension 200 mg/5 mL (Idaman Pharma Manufacturing Sdn Bhd).  National Pharmaceutical Regulatory Agency - Ministry of Health Malaysia.  https://www.npra.gov.my. Accessed 12/02/2024.

Joint Formulary Committee. Albendazole. British National Formulary [online]. London. BMJ Group and Pharmaceutical Press. https://www.medicinescomplete.com. Accessed 12/02/2024.

Thelban Tablet and Suspension (Biolab). MIMS Malaysia. http://www.mims.com/malaysia. Accessed 12/02/2024.

Zenmox Chewable Tablet 200 mg (Y.S.P. Industries [M] Sdn Bhd). MIMS Malaysia. http://www.mims.com/malaysia. Accessed 12/02/2024.

Disclaimer: This information is independently developed by MIMS based on Albendazole from various references and is provided for your reference only. Therapeutic uses, prescribing information and product availability may vary between countries. Please refer to MIMS Product Monographs for specific and locally approved prescribing information. Although great effort has been made to ensure content accuracy, MIMS shall not be held responsible or liable for any claims or damages arising from the use or misuse of the information contained herein, its contents or omissions, or otherwise. Copyright © 2024 MIMS. All rights reserved. Powered by MIMS.com

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