Albendazole is an anthelmintic medication indicated for the treatment of worm or parasitic infections, like roundworms, pinworms, whipworms, tapeworms, taeniasis or giardiasis. This medication acts by destroying the parasite and promoting elimination through the stool.
Albendazole can be purchased at pharmacies in 400 mg pills or as an oral suspension of 40 mg/mL or 4%.
This medication should be used as prescribed by a doctor after lab confirmation of the type of worm causing infection. Treatment duration can vary between 1 and 5 days. In some cases, treatment should be repeated after 2 or 3 weeks.
Medical uses
Albendazole is prescribed for the treatment for intestinal worm infections like:
- Large roundworms (Ascaris lumbricoides)
- Pinworms (Enterobius vermicularis)
- Intestinal hookworms (Ancylostoma duodenale ou Necator americanus)
- Human whipworm (Trichuris trichiura)
- Threadworm (Strongyloides stercoralis)
- Taeniasis (Taenia spp)
- Dwarf tapeworm (Hymenolepis nana);
- Liver fluke (Opisthorchis viverrini)
- Cutaneous larva migrans
In addition, albendazole can also be prescribed the treatment of giardiasis in children. Children over the age of 2 can take oral pills, while oral suspensions are indicated for children between 1 and 2. Learn more about the symptoms of intestinal worms and their common treatment.
Recommended doses
Albendazole is taken orally once per day, with no specific time required. If more than one dose is taken per day, they should be separated accordingly and taken at the same time during treatment.
Fasting or special diets are not requires when taking albendazole. You do not need to take any additional laxatives to eliminate the worms.
1. Oral albendazole
The oral pill can be chewed or swallowed with water. Children over the age of 2 can take the pill crushed up to make it easier to swallow.
The recommended doses of albendazole depend on the type of worm causing infection. Recommended dosing is as follows:
It is important to follow the prescription as instructed by your doctor. In some cases, treatment may need to be repeated after 3 weeks.
2. Albendazole liquid or oral suspension
Liquid albendazole can be swallowed. Be sure to shake the bottle well before taking.
Oral suspension is prepared as a 40 mg/mL concentration, or 4!. It can be used in children over 1 as indicated by a pediatrician.
The normally recommended doses of albendazole oral suspension are:
It is important for all members of the household to be treated as indicated by the doctor.
Side effects
The most common side effects of albendazole are abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, dizziness, headache and fever.
Albendazole can cause severe allergic reactions that require immediate medical attention. If you notice symptoms like difficulty breathing, the sensation that your throat is closing, itching, rashes, hives or mouth, tongue or facial swelling, you should discontinue due and proceed to the closest emergency room.
Considerations during treatment
While treating an infection with albendazole, you should frequently wash your hands, especially before cooking and after bowel movements, You should also wash all clothing and bed linens in hot water.
Contraindications
Albendazole should not be prescribed during pregnancy, breastfeeding or when trying to conceive. It should not be prescribed to people with an allergy to mebendazole or to any other component of the formula.
Albendazole pills should be used in children with less than 2 years of age, and the oral suspension should not be used in children under 1.