Albendazole (Albenza)

Albenza (albendazole) is classified as an anthelmintic, a medication used to kill parasitic worms.

Albenza is used to treat the symptoms of parenchymal neurocysticercosis caused by the larval forms of a pork tapeworm called Taenia solium. It’s also used to treat cystic hydatid disease of the liver, lung, and peritoneum caused by the larval forms of a dog tapeworm called Echinococcus granulosus.

Directions
Follow the instructions and read the information leaflets that come with your Albenza prescription. Direct any questions or concerns you may have to your doctor or pharmacist.

Albenza is available in a 200 mg oral tablet.

The recommended dosage for patients weighing at least 60 kg is to take 400 mg by mouth two times a day with food.

Patients weighing less than 60 kg are recommended to take 15 mg per kg per day in divided doses two times a day with food.

Patients should not exceed 800 mg per day.

Discuss your dosing schedule and cycles with your doctor:

• Patients with hydatid disease are recommended to take Albenza for 28 days followed by a 2-week Albenza-free period. Three cycles should be completed.
• Patients with neurocysticercosis are recommended to take Albenza for 8 to 30 days.

Ingredients

• Each Albenza tablet contains albendazole. Each tablet also contains inactive ingredients including carnauba wax, hypromellose, lactose monohydrate, magnesium stearate, microcrystalline cellulose, povidone, sodium lauryl sulfate, sodium saccharin, sodium starch glycolate, and starch.

Contraindications
Patients who are allergic to benzimidazole medications or any of the ingredients in Albenza should not take Albenza.

Cautions
Before you begin treatment with Albenza, inform your doctor:

• Of all the medications you take, including vitamins and herbal supplements
• Of your allergies
• Of your medical history and health problems
• Of your pregnancy or breastfeeding status
• Albenza can suppress the bone marrow which can be fatal.
• Albenza can cause harm to an unborn baby. An effective form of birth control should be used.
• Patients with neurocysticercosis may experience elevated intracranial pressure, seizures, or focal neurologic problems after starting treatment with Albenza. Steroids and anticonvulsant therapy may be prescribed.
• Before treatment with Albenza is started for neurocysticercosis, the retina should be checked for retinal lesions.
• Albenza can cause an increase in liver enzymes.

Side Effects
Tell your doctor right away if you develop side effects that bother you or won’t go away. The most common side effects associated with Albenza treatment include liver function test abnormalities, stomach pain, nausea, vomiting, reversible hair loss, headache, dizziness, fever, elevated intracranial pressure, and meningeal signs.