Albendazole: functions, dosage, side effects, how to use

Use

What does albendazole do?

The drug Albendazole is an anti-worm medication. This medication works by preventing worm larvae from growing and multiplying in your body.

How to use albendazole?

This medication is taken with food, usually 1 to 2 times a day or as directed by a doctor. If you or your baby have trouble swallowing the tablet, you can crush it or chew a dose of the medicine, then drink it with water.

For certain conditions, such as when it is used for the treatment of echinococcosis, your doctor may recommend taking this medication for 28 consecutive days, then stopping it for 14 days before starting the same cycle.

For maximum results, try not to forget to take this medicine, even if it's only one dose.

The dosage for albendazole depends on body weight, medical condition, and response to treatment. Use this medication as prescribed by your doctor.

This medicine must be taken regularly to be effective. To help you remember, use it at the same time every day.

Continue to use this medication until the amount prescribed by your doctor has been used up, even if symptoms disappear after a few days. Be careful, if you stop taking this medicine without the doctor knowing, the infection may attack your body again.

Other drugs (eg corticosteroids, anti-seizure drugs) may also be prescribed for your condition. Use the medication as prescribed by your doctor.

Avoid eating grapefruit or drinking grapefruit juice while using this medicine unless you have permission from your doctor or pharmacist. This is because grapefruit can increase the likelihood of side effects from the drug albendazole. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for further questions.

Tell your doctor if your condition does not improve or if it gets worse.

Follow the rules given by your doctor or pharmacist before starting treatment. If you have any questions, consult your doctor or pharmacist.

How is albendazole stored?

This medication is best stored at room temperature, away from direct light and damp places. Do not store in the bathroom and do not freeze.

Observe the storage instructions on the product package or ask your pharmacist. Keep this medication out of reach of children and pets.

Do not flush this medication down the toilet or down the drain unless instructed to do so. Discard this medication when the validity period has expired or when it is no longer needed. Consult your pharmacist or local waste disposal agency about how to safely dispose of this drug.

Dose

The information provided is not a substitute for medical advice. ALWAYS consult your doctor or pharmacist before starting treatment.

What is the dosage for albendazole for adults?

Ekinococcosis

The dose used for adults weighing more than 60 kg is 400 mg, taken twice a day for 28 consecutive days.

Whereas for adults weighing less than 60 kg, consume 15 mg / kg which is divided into two doses that are consumed every day. The maximum dose for this treatment is 800 mg per day.

For cystic echinococcosis, treatment is carried out in three cycles, where one cycle is taking the drug for 28 consecutive days, then the treatment is stopped for 14 days before starting a new cycle.

For alveolar echinococcosis, the treatment cycle is carried out in one cycle with 28 treatment days and 14 treatment-free days.

This treatment may need to be continued for several months or even up to a year until the parasites are completely eradicated.

Neurosirtisercosis

The dose of the drug albendazole for adults weighing more than 60 kg is 400 mg taken twice a day.

Meanwhile, people weighing under 60 kg, consume 15 mg / kg divided into two doses every day. The drug is consumed for 8-30 days.

Pinworm infection

The dose for adults is 400 mg for one dose. It is recommended that all householders who are infected with this disease receive this treatment, especially if the symptoms of this infection have appeared several times.

This is because the disease can be spread through physical contact. We recommend that this treatment be done 14-21 days if necessary.

Ascariasis

The dose used for adults is 400 mg in one dose.

Hookworm infection

The dosage for adults is 400 mg as a single dose. Treatment for this infection is recommended if the infection is caused by a duodenal Necator americanus or Ancylostoma.

Strongyloidiasis

The dose used for this treatment is 400 mg, taken once a day and done for three consecutive days, repeated after three weeks if necessary.

Whipworm Infection

The dose for the treatment of whipworm infection is 400 mg taken once a day, and taken for three consecutive days.

What is the dose of albendazole for children?

Pinworm infection

The dosage for children weighing less than 20 kilograms is 200 mg. Use was repeated for two weeks.

Meanwhile, children weighing more than 20 kilograms are 400 mg, taken for two weeks.

Ascariasis

The dosage for children is the same as the dose used by adults, which is 400 mg in one dose.

Hookworm infection

The dosage used for children is the same as the adult dose, which is 400 mg in one dose.

Echinococcal infection

The dose used for children is 10 to 15 mg / kg divided into two doses and taken twice a day. The maximum dose in a day is 800 mg. The length of the treatment period is one to six months.

Strongyloidiasis

The dosage used is 400 mg taken twice a day and taken for seven days.

In what dosage is albendazole available?

Tablet, Oral: 200 mg, 400 mg.

Side effects

What side effects can be experienced due to albendazole?

Get emergency medical help right away if you have signs of an allergic reaction, such as hives, difficulty breathing, and swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Call your doctor if you have any of these serious side effects, such as:

• Easy bruising or bleeding
• Fever, sore throat, and severe headache, peeling skin, and red skin rash; or
• Fever to chills, body aches, or flu-like symptoms

Common side effects:

• Stomach ache
• Nauseous vomit
• Headache, dizziness
• Temporary hair loss

Rare but possible side effects include:

• Bleeding gums
• Blood in urine
• Chest tightness
• Cough
• Difficulty urinating
• The body gets tired easily

Not everyone who takes this medicine will experience the side effects that have been mentioned. Doctors recommend that you take this drug after considering your health condition, that after taking it, the benefits you feel will outweigh the side effects.

If you have concerns about certain side effects, consult your doctor or pharmacist.

Precautions & Warnings

What should be known before using albendazole?

Before using albendazole, be sure to:

• Tell your doctor and pharmacist if you have any allergies to albendazole, mebendazole, or any of the ingredients in albendazole tablets.
• Tell your doctor and pharmacist about prescription and nonprescription drugs, vitamins, nutritional supplements, and herbal products that you use or plan to use.
• Tell your doctor if you have a medical history related to liver, bile, or bone marrow disease.
• Tell your doctor if you are breastfeeding
• If you are having surgery, including dental surgery, tell your doctor or dentist about using albendazole
• If you are taking albendazole to treat neurocysticercosis, your doctor may tell you to use certain medications to prevent damage to the nervous system during your treatment. Call your doctor right away if you have symptoms such as: seizures, headache, vomiting, extreme fatigue, or behavior changes.

Is albendazole safe for pregnant and lactating women?

Tell your doctor if you are pregnant, may be pregnant, or plan to become pregnant. You should not start treatment with albendazole until you have a negative pregnancy test.

You should not get pregnant while you are taking albendazole until, at least, one month after completing your treatment. Talk with your doctor about contraceptive methods you can use during your treatment.

There are no adequate studies regarding the risks of using this drug in pregnant or breastfeeding women. Always consult your doctor to weigh the potential benefits and risks before using this medication. This drug is included in the risk of pregnancy category C according to the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

The following references the pregnancy risk categories according to the FDA:

• A = Not at risk
• B = No risk in several studies
• C = May be risky
• D = There is positive evidence of risk
• X = Contraindicated
• N = Unknown

Interaction

What other medicines may interact with albendazole?

Drug interactions can change the performance of your medications or increase the risk of serious side effects. Not all possible drug interactions are listed in this article. Keep a list of all the products you use (including prescription / non-prescription drugs and herbal products) and consult your doctor or pharmacist.

Do not start, stop, or change the dose of any medication without your doctor's approval. Tell your doctor about all other medicines you use, especially:

• Cimetidine, dexamethasone, or praziquantel. These medicines can increase your risk of albendazole side effects.
• Theophylline. The risk of albendazole side effects may increase with this drug.

Can food or alcohol interact with albendazole?

Certain drugs should not be used with meals or when eating certain foods because drug interactions can occur. Consuming alcohol or tobacco with certain drugs can also cause interactions to occur.

One type of fruit that can interact with this drug is grapefruit. Discuss your use of drugs with food, alcohol, or tobacco with your health care provider.

What health conditions can interact with albendazole?

The presence of other health problems in your body may affect the use of this drug. Tell your doctor if you have other health problems, such as:

• Cysticercosis involving the eye. If you are having treatment with albendazole for pork tapeworm of the nervous system (neurocysticercosis) should be checked for eye injury. The use of albendazole can increase the chance of side effects that affect eye health conditions.
• Liver disease. Patients with liver disease may have an increased likelihood of experiencing increased side effects from this drug.

Overdose

What should I do in an emergency or overdose?

In case of an emergency or overdose, contact the emergency services provider (118/119) or immediately to the emergency room at the nearest hospital.

What should I do if I miss a dose?

If you forget a dose of the drug albendazole, take it as soon as possible. However, when it is nearing the time of the next dose, skip the missed dose and return to the usual dosing schedule. Don't double the dose.

Hello Health Group does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.