Albendazole (By mouth)
al-BEN-da-zole
Treats infections caused by tapeworms, including hydatid disease and neurocysticercosis.
Drug classes
Anthelmintic (About this – PubMed Health)
Uses
Uses of This Medicine
Albendazole is used to treat neurocysticercosis, an infection of the nervous system caused by pork tapeworms. This medicine is also used to treat cystic hydatid disease of the liver, lung, and peritoneum, an infection caused by dog tapeworms.
Albendazole is used to treat infections caused by worms. It works by keeping the worm from absorbing sugar (glucose), so that the worm loses energy and dies.
This medicine is available only with your doctor’s prescription.
Once a medicine has been approved for marketing for a certain use, experience may show that it is also useful for other medical problems. Although these uses are not included in product labeling in the U.S., albendazole is used in certain patients with the following infections:
Capillariasis.
Cutaneous larva migrans.
Common roundworms (ascariasis).
Hookworms (ancylostomiasis and necatoriasis).
Pinworms (enterobiasis or oxyuriasis).
Strongyloidiasis.
Tapeworms (taeniasis).
Trichostrongyliasis.
Whipworms (trichuriasis).
For patients taking albendazole for hookworms:
In hookworm infections, anemia may occur. Therefore, your doctor may want you to take iron supplements. If so, it is important to take iron every day while you are being treated for hookworm infection. Do not miss any doses. Your doctor may also want you to keep taking iron supplements for at least 3 to 6 months after you stop taking albendazole. If you have any questions about this, check with your doctor.
For patients taking albendazole for pinworms:
In some patients, pinworms may return after treatment with albendazole. Wear pajamas and underwear to sleep, take a bath every day, and wash (not shake) all bedding and nightclothes (pajamas) after treatment to help prevent reinfection. Treatment may be repeated after 3 weeks.
Pinworms may be easily passed from one person to another, especially among persons in the same household. Therefore, all household members may have to be treated at the same time to prevent their infection or reinfection.
Other uses (PubMed Health)
How To Use
Tablet, Chewable Tablet
Your doctor will tell you how much medicine to use. Do not use more than directed.
It is best to take this medicine with food or milk.
You may crush or chew the tablet and swallow it with water. If you have trouble swallowing, ask your doctor for the chewable tablet.
Missed dose: Take a dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, wait until then and take a regular dose. Do not take extra medicine to make up for a missed dose.
Store the medicine in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light.
Drugs and Foods to Avoid
Ask your doctor or pharmacist before using any other medicine, including over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products.
Some foods and medicines can affect how albendazole works. Tell your doctor if you are using cimetidine, dexamethasone, praziquantel, or theophylline.
When Not To Use
This medicine is not right for everyone. Do not use it if you had an allergic reaction to albendazole or to similar medicines.
Warnings
It is not safe to take this medicine during pregnancy. It could harm an unborn baby. Tell your doctor right away if you become pregnant. Use an effective form of birth control while using this medicine and for at least 1 month after your last dose. You should have a negative pregnancy test before you start treatment.
Tell your doctor if you are breastfeeding, or if you have kidney disease, liver disease, bone marrow problems, or vision problems.
This medicine may cause liver damage.
This medicine may make you bleed, bruise, or get infections more easily. Take precautions to prevent illness and injury. Wash your hands often.
Your doctor will do lab tests at regular visits to check on the effects of this medicine. Keep all appointments.
Neurocysticercosis: This medicine kills the tapeworms, and this could cause inflammation as your body heals. The inflammation might cause seizures, numbness or weakness, trouble seeing, headaches, or similar nerve problems. Your doctor may give you other medicines to treat these problems.
Call your doctor if your symptoms do not improve or if they get worse.
Keep all medicine out of the reach of children. Never share your medicine with anyone.
Possible side effects
Summary More details
Call your doctor right away if you notice any of these side effects:
Allergic reaction: Itching or hives, swelling in your face or hands, swelling or tingling in your mouth or throat, chest tightness, trouble breathing
Blistering, peeling, red skin rash
Dark urine or pale stools, nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, stomach pain, yellow skin or eyes
Fever, chills, cough, sore throat, and body aches
Unusual bleeding, bruising, or weakness
If you notice these less serious side effects, talk with your doctor:
Stomach pain
If you notice other side effects that you think are caused by this medicine, tell your doctor.
Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
More side effects of this drug
Brand names include
Albenza
There may be other brand names for this medicine.