II. Indications

III. Contraindications

  1. Pregnancy

IV. Mechanism

  1. Broad-spectrum, synthetic benzimidazole-derivative anthelminth
  2. Albendazole blocks Helminth reproduction and survival
    1. Inhibits formation of microtubules from tubulin
    2. Depletes glycogen stores (by decreasing Glucose uptake)

V. Medications

  1. Albendazole Tablet 200 mg
    1. Tablet may be crushed or chewed

VI. Dosing: FDA Approved Indications

  1. Hydatid Disease (Echinococcus)
    1. Weight <60 kg: 15 mg/kg/day (up to 800 mg) orally divided twice daily with food
    2. Weight >60 kg: 400 mg orally twice daily with food
  2. Neurocysticercosis
    1. Take 15 mg/kg/day (up to 1200 mg) orally divided twice daily with food for 10 to 14 days
    2. Corticosteroid started before treatment
    3. Multidrug regimens (e.g. with Praziquantel) are used when more than 2 CNS Lesions are present

VII. Dosing: Unapproved Indications

  1. Hookworm, Whipworm, Pinworm or roundworm (age >=2 years)
    1. Take 400 mg for one dose (for Pinworm, repeat dose in 2 weeks)
  2. Cutaneous Larva Migrans (age >=2 years)
    1. Take 200 mg orally twice daily for 3 day with food (or 400 mg once daily for 3 days)
  3. Giardiasis
    1. Take 400 mg orally daily for 5 days with food

VIII. Adverse Effects

  1. Serious
    1. Bone Marrow suppression
    2. Increased Liver Function Tests

IX. Monitoring

  1. Check Complete Blood Count and Liver Function Tests at start and again every 2 weeks

X. Safety

  1. Unknown safety in Lactation
  2. Contraindicated in pregnancy first trimester (unknown safety in later pregnancy)

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Cost: Medications

albendazole (on 12/21/2022 at Medicaid.Gov Survey of pharmacy drug pricing)
ALBENDAZOLE 200 MG TABLET Generic $13.95 each

Ontology: Albendazole (C0001911)

Definition (NCI) A broad-spectrum, synthetic benzimidazole-derivative anthelmintic. Albendazole interferes with the reproduction and survival of helminths by inhibiting the formation of microtubules from tubulin. This leads to an impaired uptake of glucose, a depletion of glycogen stores, and results in the worm's death. Albendazole is used in the treatment of dog and pork tapeworm-causing diseases, including hydatid disease and neurocysticercosis. Albendazole may also be used to treat a variety of other roundworm infections. (NCI05)
Definition (MSH) A benzimidazole broad-spectrum anthelmintic structurally related to MEBENDAZOLE that is effective against many diseases. (From Martindale, The Extra Pharmacopoeia, 30th ed, p38)
Concepts Pharmacologic Substance (T121) , Organic Chemical (T109)
MSH D015766
SnomedCT 391723002, 387558006, 96119002
English Albendazole, Carbamic acid, (5-(propylthio)-1H-benzimidazol-2-yl)-, methyl ester, Carbamic Acid,(5-(Propylthio)-1H-benzimidazol-2-yl)-, Methyl Ester, Proftril, albendazole, albendazole (medication), ALBENDAZOLE, Albendazole [Chemical/Ingredient], Albendazole - chemical (substance), Albendazole - chemical, Albendazole (product), Albendazole (substance)
Swedish Albendazol
Czech albendazol
Finnish Albendatsoli
Russian ALBENDAZOL, АЛБЕНДАЗОЛ
Japanese アルベンダゾール
Polish Albendazol
Spanish albendazol (producto), albendazol (sustancia), albendazol, Albendazol
French Albendazole
German Albendazol
Italian Albendazolo
Portuguese Albendazol