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.
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:
Worm being treated | Age | Dose |
|---|---|---|
Ascaris lumbricoides Necator americanus Trichuris trichiura Enterobius vermicularis Ancylostoma duodenale | Children over 2 and adults | One single-dose 400 mg pill |
Strongyloides stercoralis Taenia spp. Hymenolepis nana | Children over 2 and adults | One 400 mg pill per day for 3 days |
Giardiasis (Giardia lamblia, G. duodenalis, G. intestinalis) | Children between 2 and 12 years old | One 400 mg pill per day for 5 days |
Cutaneous larva migrans | Children over 2 and adults | One 400 mg pill per day for 1 to 3 days |
Liver fluke (Opisthorchis viverrini) | Children over 2 and adults | Two 400 mg pills per day for 3 days |
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:
| Worm being treated | Age | Dose |
|---|---|---|
Ascaris lumbricoides Necator americanus Trichuris trichiura | Children over 2 and adults | 400 mg, which corresponds to 10 mL of suspension, taken as a single dose |
Children between 1 to 2 years old | 200 mg, which corresponds to 5 mL of suspension, taken as a single dose | |
Enterobius vermicularis Ancylostoma duodenale | Children over 2 and adults | 400 mg, which corresponds to 10 mL of suspension, taken as a single dose |
Strongyloides stercoralis Taenia spp. Hymenolepis nana | Children over 2 and adults | 400 mg, which corresponds to 10 mL of suspension, taken for 3 days |
Giardiasis (Giardia lamblia, G. duodenalis, G. intestinalis) | Children between 2 and 12 years old | 400 mg, which corresponds to 10 mL of suspension, taken for 5 days |
Cutaneous larva migrans | Children over 2 and adults | 400 mg, which corresponds to 10 mL of suspension, taken for 1 to 3 days |
Liver fluke (Opisthorchis viverrini) | Children over 2 and adults | 2 doses of 400 mg per day, which corresponds to a total of 20mL of suspension per day, taken for 3 days |
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.
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