Albenza: Effective Treatment for Parasitic Worm Infections
| Product dosage: 400mg | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Package (num) | Per pill | Price | Buy |
| 90 | $0.52 | $47.19 (0%) | 🛒 Add to cart |
| 120 | $0.46 | $62.92 $55.22 (12%) | 🛒 Add to cart |
| 180 | $0.41 | $94.38 $73.30 (22%) | 🛒 Add to cart |
| 270 | $0.37 | $141.57 $99.40 (30%) | 🛒 Add to cart |
| 360 | $0.36
Best per pill | $188.76 $129.52 (31%) | 🛒 Add to cart |
Synonyms | |||
Albenza (albendazole) is a broad-spectrum anthelmintic medication prescribed for the treatment of various parasitic worm infections. As a benzimidazole carbamate drug, it works by inhibiting tubulin polymerization, leading to impaired glucose uptake and energy depletion in parasites, resulting in their eventual death. Healthcare providers rely on Albenza for its proven efficacy against tissue and intestinal helminth infections, making it a cornerstone in antiparasitic therapy. Proper diagnosis and medical supervision are essential to ensure appropriate use and optimal therapeutic outcomes.
Features
- Active ingredient: Albendazole 400 mg
- Formulation: Oral tablets
- Mechanism: Inhibits tubulin polymerization in parasites
- Broad-spectrum activity against nematodes, cestodes, and trematodes
- Bioavailability enhanced by fatty meals
- Metabolized in liver to active sulfoxide metabolite
Benefits
- Effectively eliminates parasitic organisms from the body
- Reduces risk of complications from chronic parasitic infections
- Helps restore normal nutrient absorption in intestinal infections
- Decreases transmission potential in endemic areas
- Single-dose regimen available for certain indications
- Well-established safety profile when used as directed
Common use
Albenza is primarily indicated for the treatment of neurocysticercosis caused by larval forms of Taenia solium and for cystic hydatid disease of the liver, lung, and peritoneum caused by Echinococcus granulosus. It is also used off-label for other parasitic infections including ascariasis, hookworm infections, trichuriasis, enterobiasis, strongyloidiasis, and clonorchiasis. Medical professionals may prescribe Albenza for giardiasis, cutaneous larva migrans, and microsporidiosis in immunocompromised patients based on clinical assessment.
Dosage and direction
Dosage varies significantly based on the specific parasitic infection, patient weight, and medical assessment. For neurocysticercosis: 400 mg twice daily with meals for 8-30 days. For hydatid disease: 400 mg twice daily with meals for 28-day cycles followed by 14-day drug-free intervals, typically for 3 cycles. Pediatric dosing is weight-based at 15 mg/kg/day (maximum 800 mg daily) divided into two doses. Tablets should be taken with food, particularly fatty meals, to enhance absorption. Crushing or chewing tablets should be avoided; they should be swallowed whole with water.
Precautions
Liver function tests should be monitored before and during treatment due to potential hepatotoxicity. Complete blood counts should be performed regularly because of the risk of bone marrow suppression. Use with caution in patients with pre-existing liver disease or impaired hepatic function. Retinal examinations are recommended before treatment for neurocysticercosis due to possible retinal damage. Pregnancy should be excluded before initiation and prevented during and for one month after treatment due to teratogenic potential. Breastfeeding should be discontinued during therapy.
Contraindications
Albenza is contraindicated in patients with known hypersensitivity to albendazole, benzimidazole derivatives, or any component of the formulation. The medication is contraindicated during pregnancy due to potential fetal harm. Use is prohibited in patients with significantly compromised liver function or active liver disease. The drug should not be administered to patients with known bone marrow suppression or pre-existing hematological disorders without careful risk-benefit assessment.
Possible side effect
Common adverse effects include abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, headache, dizziness, and transient elevation of liver enzymes. Less frequently reported effects include reversible alopecia, fever, skin rash, and leukopenia. Rare but serious side effects include severe hepatotoxicity, pancytopenia, agranulocytosis, thrombocytopenia, and Stevens-Johnson syndrome. Elevated intracranial pressure may occur in neurocysticercosis patients, requiring steroid therapy and monitoring. Ocular changes including retinal damage have been reported in some cases.
Drug interaction
Albenza induces cytochrome P450 1A enzymes and may decrease concentrations of drugs metabolized by this pathway. Cimetidine, dexamethasone, and praziquantel may increase albendazole sulfoxide levels. Anticonvulsants (carbamazepine, phenytoin, phenobarbital) may decrease albendazole levels. Theophylline concentrations may be reduced when co-administered with albendazole. Concurrent use with other hepatotoxic drugs may increase the risk of liver damage. Monitoring and dosage adjustments may be necessary when used with warfarin or other highly protein-bound drugs.
Missed dose
If a dose is missed, it should be taken as soon as remembered unless it is nearly time for the next scheduled dose. In that case, the missed dose should be skipped and the regular dosing schedule resumed. Doubling the dose to make up for a missed dose is not recommended. Patients should maintain consistent timing of doses to ensure stable drug levels. Healthcare providers should be consulted if multiple doses are missed or if there is uncertainty about proper dosing schedule management.
Overdose
Symptoms of overdose may include severe nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, dizziness, headache, and drowsiness. In severe cases, hepatotoxicity, bone marrow suppression, or neurological symptoms may occur. There is no specific antidote for albendazole overdose. Management involves gastric lavage if presented early, activated charcoal administration, and supportive care including monitoring of liver function and hematological parameters. Symptomatic treatment should be provided based on clinical manifestations. Hemodialysis is not expected to be effective due to high protein binding.
Storage
Store at room temperature between 15-30°C (59-86°F) in a dry place protected from light and moisture. Keep the container tightly closed and out of reach of children. Do not store in bathroom cabinets where humidity levels may fluctuate. Discard any medication that has passed the expiration date or shows signs of physical deterioration. Do not flush medications down the toilet or pour into drains unless instructed to do so by proper disposal guidelines.
Disclaimer
This information is provided for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Albenza is a prescription medication that should only be used under the supervision of a qualified healthcare professional. Proper diagnosis and treatment planning are essential before initiating therapy. Patients should consult their healthcare provider for personalized medical advice and should not self-medicate. The complete prescribing information should be reviewed before administration.
Reviews
Clinical studies demonstrate Albenza’s efficacy with cure rates of 85-100% for many intestinal helminth infections when properly administered. In neurocysticercosis trials, albendazole showed superior efficacy compared to praziquantel with complete cyst resolution in approximately 80% of cases after multiple cycles. For hydatid disease, studies indicate approximately 30-50% of patients show cyst disappearance or significant reduction with medical therapy alone. The medical community recognizes albendazole as a well-tolerated treatment with most adverse effects being mild and transient when used appropriately under medical supervision.