ឪសថ Albendazole

Therapeutic action 

– Anthelminthic Indications – Ascariasis (Ascaris lumbricoides), enterobiasis (Enterobius vermicularis), hookworm infections (Ancylostoma duodenale, Necator americanus)

– Trichuriasis (Trichuris trichiura), strongyloidiasis (Strongyloides stercoralis) 

– Trichinellosis (Trichinella spp)

Presentation 

– 400 mg tablet 

Dosage and duration 

– Ascariasis, enterobiasis, hookworm infections

Child over 6 months and adult: 400 mg as a single dose Child over 6 months but under 10 kg: 200 mg as a single dose In the event of enterobiasis, a second dose may be given after 2 to 4 weeks. 

– Trichuriasis, strongyloidiasis

Child over 6 months and adult: 400 mg once daily for 3 days Child over 6 months but under 10 kg: 200 mg once daily for 3 days 

– Trichinellosis

Child over 2 years: 10 mg/kg/day in 2 divided doses for 10 to 15 days Adult: 800 mg/day in 2 divided doses for 10 to 15 days 

Contra-indications, adverse effects, precautions 

– Do not administer to children under 6 months. 

– Do not administer to patients with ocular cysticercosis. 

– May cause:

• gastrointestinal disturbances, headache, dizziness;             

• neurological disorders (headache, seizures) in patients with undiagnosed neuro cysticercosis.

– Pregnancy: avoid during the first trimester 

– Breast-feeding: no contra-indication

Remarks – Tablets are to be chewed or crushed: follow manufacturer's recommendations. 

– In the treatment of strongyloidiasis, ivermectin is more effective than albendazole. 

– Albendazole is also used in the treatment of cutaneous larva migrans (Ancylostoma braziliense and caninum), larval cestode infections (hydatid disease, certain forms of neurocysticercosis) and in mass treatment for lymphatic filariasis.