What is Albendazole?
Albendazole is a drug to treat parasitic infections in the human body. This drug works by interfering with the ability of parasites to grow and reproduce in the body.
Albendazole is effective in treating a wide range of parasitic infections, including roundworms, tapeworms, hookworms, and other infections. It is available in tablet form.
In addition, you can also use this drug together with surgical procedures to treat cystic hydatid disease, which is an infection caused by dog tapeworms in the liver, lungs, and stomach lining.
- Class: prescription drugs.
- Category: antihelminthic, which is a drug to treat worm infections in humans or animals.
- Drug forms: tablets, chewable tablets, chewable caplets, and suspension.
- Benefits: treats worm infections.
- Consumed by: adults and children.
- Albendazole for pregnancy: Category D: Drugs in pregnancy category D have a fetal risk based on studies in humans. However, there are certain situations in which the benefits of using the drug in pregnancy may be considered greater than the potential risks. The decision to use a drug in pregnancy category D should be made with caution and under close medical supervision.
- Albendazole for breastfeeding mothers: the drug can be slightly absorbed into breast milk. However, its use tends to be safe and does not affect breast milk production. Discuss with your doctor first before using the drug.
Dosage and Directions for Use
The dosage and usage of the drug will depend on the medical condition and the doctor’s recommendation. Here is a general guide to proper dosage and usage:
Condition: sticercosis
- Adults weighing less than 60 kg: 15 mg/kgBW for 8–30 days. Maximum dose of 800 mg per day.
- Adults weighing over 60 kg: 400 mg, twice daily, for 8–30 days.
Condition: Cutaneous larva migrans
- Adults: 400 mg, once daily, for 1–3 days.
Condition: Echinococcosis
- Adults weighing less than 60 kg: 15 mg/kgBW per day, twice a day. Maximum dosage is 800 mg per day.
- Adults weighing ≥60 kg: 400 mg, 2 times a day, for 28 days.
Condition: Giardiasis
- Children 1–12 years: 400 mg, once daily, for 5 days. Maximum dose 400 mg daily or 2,000 mg for 5 days.
Conditions: Ascariasis, trichuriasis, hookworm and pinworm infections
- Children aged 1–2 years: 200 mg, once daily. Maximum dose of 200 mg per day.
- Children over 2 years and adults: 400 mg, once daily.
Condition: Liver fluke infection or opisthorchiasis
- Adults: 400 mg, twice daily, for 3 days. Maximum dose of 800 mg per day.
How to Use Albendazole Correctly
Please pay attention to the procedures below to prevent side effects after use:
- Use the medication exactly as directed by your doctor or as directed on the package. Do not use more than the recommended amount.
- If you cannot swallow the tablet whole, you can crush or chew it and swallow it with a glass of water.
- The doctor may also prescribe other medications to prevent side effects of the medication or certain effects may occur when the parasites die in the body.
- Dosage is based on weight, especially in children and adolescents. Dosage requirements may change if you gain or lose weight.
- Use this medication for the full length of time prescribed by your doctor, even if your symptoms improve quickly. Skipping doses may increase your risk of developing an infection that is resistant to treatment. Be aware that this medication will not treat viral infections such as the flu.
Benefits of Albendazole
Albendazole has several main benefits for treating parasitic infections in the human body. Here are the properties and explanations of each:
1. Treating roundworm infections
Albendazole is effective in treating roundworm infections, such as Ascaris lumbricoides. Roundworms can infect humans through the consumption of food or drink contaminated with worm eggs.
Albendazole works by interfering with the worm’s nervous system so that the worms cannot survive and die. This helps eliminate roundworms from the human body.
2. Treating tapeworm infections
In addition, albendazole is also effective in treating tapeworm infections, such as Taenia solium and Taenia saginata. Tapeworms can trigger digestive problems if left untreated.
Albendazole works by destroying the body wall of the tapeworm, causing the worm to gradually die. Its carcass is then excreted from the body in the form of feces.
3. Treating hookworm infections
Albendazole can treat hookworm infections, such as Necator americanus and Ancylostoma duodenale. Hookworms infect the human body through direct contact with contaminated soil.
The drug works by inhibiting the ability of hookworms to attach to the human intestinal wall and cause damage. This is how the drug helps treat hookworm infections.
Warnings Before Taking Albendazole
There are a few things you need to consider before taking albendazole. People with the following conditions should not take it to minimize the risk of side effects:
- People who are allergic to albendazole content.
- Have liver disease, bile duct obstruction, visual disturbances, blood disorders, or bone marrow disease.
- Are taking other medications, including vitamins, supplements, and herbal remedies.
- Having a condition of addiction to alcoholic beverages.
- Undergoing treatment or wanting to have surgery.
- Are pregnant, breastfeeding, or planning a pregnancy?
- Have a history of liver problems, such as cirrhosis or other liver disease.
Side Effects After Use
Mild side effects that may occur include:
- Hair loss.
- Headache.
- Nauseous.
- Vomit.
- Stomach ache.
Immediately consult a doctor if you experience the following side effects:
- Allergic reactions, such as skin rash, itching, and swelling of the face, lips, or tongue.
- Blurred vision.
- Fever, chills, sore throat.
- Red, blistered, or peeling skin or mouth.
- Seizures.
- Signs and symptoms of liver damage, such as dark yellow or brown urine.
- Feelings of sickness or flu-like symptoms.
- Light-colored stools, loss of appetite, pain in the upper right abdomen, often feeling tired and weak, yellowing of the eyes or skin.
- Unusual bleeding along with the appearance of bruising.
Albendazole Interactions
Using albendazole together with other drugs can cause drug interactions. The following interactions can occur:
- If you consume it with dexamethasone and cimetidine it can increase the levels of albendazole in the blood.
- If you take it with carbamazepine, phenobarbital, and phenytoin, it can reduce albendazole levels in the blood.
Contraindications of Albendazole
It is best to avoid using the drug if you have a history of hypersensitivity to albendazole, benzimidazoles, or other components in this drug. In addition, these are groups who should not use the drug:
- Children under 2 years of age.
- Pregnant and lactating women.
- People with cirrhosis of the liver.