Classes
DEA Class; Rx
Common Brand Names; Albenza
- Anthelmintics
Description
Oral broad-spectrum antihelmintic antiparasitic agent (benzimidazole class)
Used for hydatid cyst disease and neurocysticercosis; many off-label uses
Similar to mebendazole and thiabendazole but better tolerated
Indications
Indicated for the treatment of hydatid cyst disease.
- Neurocysticercosis (Taenia Solium Tapeworm)
- Hydatid (Echinococcus Tapeworm)
- Ancylostoma, Ascariasis, Hookworm, Trichostrongylus
- Capillariasis
- Larva Migrans, Cutaneous & Trichuriasis
- Larva Migrans, Visceral
- Enterobius (Pinworm)
- Fluke (Clonorchis Sinensis)
- Gnathostomiasis, Microsporidiosis
Contraindications
Hypersensitivity to albendazole or benzimidazoles
Adverse Effects
Headache
Neurocysticercosis (11%)
Hydatid disease (1.3%)
Abnormal LFT
Hydatid disease (15.6%)
Neurocysticercosis (<1%)
Warnings
Monitor theophylline levels if used concomitantly
Potential for bone marrow suppression, aplastic anemia & agranulocytosis; monitor blood counts in all patients at the beginning of each 28-day cycle of therapy, and every 2 weeks while on therapy; discontinue therapy if clinically significant changes in blood counts occur
Pre-existing neurocysticercosis may be uncovered in patients treated w/ albendazole for other conditions, apparent by neurological symptoms (eg, seizures, increased intracranial pressure, focal signs); promptly treat w/ corticosteroid & anticonvulsant therapy
Obtain pregnancy test in women of reproductive potential prior to therapy and avoid usage in pregnant women except in clinical circumstances where no alternative management is appropriate; discontinue therapy if pregnancy occurs and apprise patient of potential hazard to fetus
Risk of retinal damage in retinal cysticercosis; cases of retinal involvement reported; examine patient for presence of retinal lesions before initiating therapy for neurocysticercosis
Reversible elevations of liver enzymes may occur; monitor liver enzymes before start of each treatment cycle and at least every 2 weeks while on therapy and discontinue if clinically significant elevations occur; patients with abnormal LFTs and hepatic echinococcosis are at increased risk of hepatotoxicity; discontinue therapy if LFT elevations >2 times upper limit of normal; may consider restarting treatment when LFT values return to pretreatment levels
Pregnancy and Lactation
Based on findings from animal reproduction studies, the drug may cause fetal harm when administered to a pregnant woman
Concentrations of drug and active metabolite, albendazole sulfoxide, reported to be low in human breast milk; there are no reports of adverse effects on breastfed infant and no information on effects on milk production
Maximum Dosage
15 mg/kg/day PO or 800 mg/day PO for most indications; up to 3200 mg/day PO in HIV patients with microsporidiosis.
15 mg/kg/day PO or 800 mg/day PO for most indications.
15 mg/kg/day PO, not to exceed 800 mg/day PO.
15 mg/kg/day PO, not to exceed 800 mg/day PO.
How supplied
Albendazole
tablet
- 200mg
