Albendazole, is a popular broad spectrum A antihelminthic drug belonging to Benzimidazole group and is used for treating parasitic worm infestations. It is useful for giardiasis, trichuriasis, filariasis, neurocysticercosis, hydatid disease, pinworm disease, and ascariasis. Albendazole was developed in 1975. It is a prescription drug.
Common side effects of albendazole include:
- Abdominal pain,abnormal liver function test,acute liver failure
- Acute kidney failure,severe low white blood cell count,dizziness
- Easy bruising or bleeding, fever with chills, body aches, or flu-like symptoms
- Fever, sore throat, headache with severe blistering, peeling and red skin rash
- Low white blood cell count, hair loss, headache,hepatitis
- Increased intracranial pressure,meningeal signs, nausea
- Reduction of red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets
- Rash,spinning sensation (vertigo), low blood platelet count
- Unusual weakness,hives, vomiting etc.
Complete Blood Count and Liver function Tests to be conducted for monitoring the side effects.
The drug is not safe for pregnant women also. Consult the Physician before giving to lactating mothers.
Oral absorption of albendazole varies among species, with 1-5% of the drug being successfully absorbed in humans, 20-30% in rats, and 50% in cattle. The absorption also affected by gastric pH. People have varying gastric pHs on empty stomachs, and thus absorption from one person to another can vary wildly when taken without food. Generally, its absorption from the GI tract is poor due to low solubility in water. It is available as 200mg,400mg Tablets and as suspensions (containing 200mg in 5 ml with a 10ml pack).
This medication is taken orally with meals, usually I to 2 times daily. Can be crushed or chewed and can be taken with water also. The dosage is based on weight, medical condition, and response to treatment. Avoid eating grapefruit or drinking grapefruit juice while using this drug since grapefruit can increase the side effects with this medicine.It may also interacts with Phenytoin, Dexamethasone, Theophylline etc.
Popular brands available in the market are Bendex, Zentel, ABZ, wormin A, Noworm etc. It is available as a combination with Ivermectin 12 mg also.
