ALBENDAZOLE oral

Therapeutic action

• Anthelminthic

Indications

• Ascariasis (Ascaris lumbricoides), enterobiasis (Enterobius vermicularis), hookworm infections (Ancylostoma duodenale, Necator americanus)
• Trichuriasis (Trichuris trichiura), strongyloidiasis (Strongyloides stercoralis)
• Trichinellosis (Trichinella sp)

Forms and strengths

• 400 mg tablet

Dosage and duration

Ascariasis, enterobiasis, hookworm infections

• Child over 6 months and adult: 400 mg single dose
• Child over 6 months but under 10 kg: 200 mg single dose
• In the event of enterobiasis, a second dose may be given after 2 to 4 weeks.

Trichuriasis, strongyloidiasis

• Child over 6 months and adult: 400 mg once daily for 3 days
• Child over 6 months but under 10 kg: 200 mg once daily for 3 days

Trichinellosis

• Child over 2 years: 5 mg/kg 2 times daily for 10 to 15 days
• Adult: 400 mg 2 times daily for 10 to 15 days

Contra-indications, adverse effects, precautions

• Do not administer to children under 6 months.
• Do not administer to patients with ocular cysticercosis.
• May cause:
  • gastrointestinal disturbances, headache, dizziness;
  • neurological disorders (headache, seizures) in patients with undiagnosed neuro cysticercosis.
• Pregnancy: avoid during the first trimester
• Breast-feeding: no contra-indication

Remarks

• Tablets are to be chewed or crushed: follow manufacturer's recommendations.
• In the treatment of strongyloidiasis, ivermectin is more effective than albendazole.
• Albendazole is also used in the treatment of cutaneous larva migrans (Ancylostoma braziliense and caninum), larval cestode infections (hydatid disease, certain forms of neurocysticercosis) and in mass treatment for lymphatic filariasis (check national recommendations).

Storage