Specifically, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved albendazole oral tablet to treat the following tapeworms in adults and some children:
- Taenia solium, which can cause an infection that affects your brain
- Echinococcus granulosus, which can cause an infection that affects your lung, liver, or peritoneum (the inside of your abdomen)
This article describes possible side effects of albendazole oral tablet. You’ll also find information on cost savings and coupon options for albendazole. To learn more about albendazole, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.
Albendazole oral tablet is a generic medication. It’s no longer available in a brand-name version.
More common side effects of albendazole
Below are some of the more common side effects of albendazole oral tablet that occurred during the drug’s studies. The more common side effects varied based on the condition being treated.
More common side effects reported in people taking albendazole oral tablet to treat a Taenia solium infection include:
More common side effects reported in people taking albendazole oral tablet to treat an Echinococcus granulosus infection include:
- abdominal pain
- nausea
- vomiting
- reversible hair loss*
- headache*
* To learn more about this side effect, see the “Side effects of albendazole in detail” section below.
Mild side effects of albendazole
Albendazole may cause certain mild side effects. Usually, mild side effects are temporary and can be easily managed. Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have side effects that don’t go away or become bothersome.
Mild side effects reported in people taking albendazole oral tablet to treat a Taenia solium infection include:
Mild side effects reported in people taking albendazole oral tablet to treat an Echinococcus granulosus infection include:
* To learn more about this side effect, see the “Side effects of albendazole in detail” section below.
Albendazole oral tablet may cause more mild side effects than those listed above. For details, see the drug’s prescribing information.
Serious side effects of albendazole
Albendazole may cause certain serious side effects. In most cases, side effects are mild. But it’s important to be aware of serious side effects that can occur.
If you have any serious side effects from albendazole oral tablet, call your doctor right away. But if you think you’re having a medical emergency or your side effects feel life threatening, take immediate action. Call 911 or a local emergency number, or go to the nearest emergency room.
After the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approves a drug, it tracks and reviews side effects of the medication. Visit MedWatch’s website if you’d like to notify the FDA about a side effect you’ve had with albendazole.
Serious side effects of albendazole oral tablet that occurred in studies include:
* To learn more about this side effect, see the “Side effects of albendazole in detail” section below.
Common questions about side effects of albendazole
Here are answers to some common questions about side effects of albendazole oral tablet. If you have other questions, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.
Are there certain foods that are not safe to eat while taking albendazole?
Albendazole isn’t known to interact with certain foods. So, it’s safe for you to take albendazole while eating. In fact, you should take albendazole along with food.
If you have questions about how to take albendazole, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.
How long do side effects of albendazole usually last?
In most cases, side effects of albendazole are short term. In fact, this medication is only used short term to treat tapeworm infections. So once you complete treatment, side effects, such as nausea or vomiting, will likely ease or go away.
In some cases, side effects of albendazole can continue even after you stop treatment. For more details, see “Does albendazole cause long-term side effects?” below.
If you have concerns about how long side effects of albendazole may last, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.
Does albendazole cause long-term side effects?
Yes, in rare cases, albendazole oral tablet may cause long-term side effects. These include:
These side effects can last for a while after you’ve stopped taking the drug. However, in most cases, side effects of albendazole are short term.
If you have questions or concerns about the long-term side effects that may occur from taking albendazole, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.
* To learn more about this side effect, see the “Side effects of albendazole in detail” section below.
Coupon for albendazole
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Side effects of albendazole in detail
Below you’ll find details on some of the side effects of albendazole oral tablet.
Elevated liver enzymes
In studies, elevated liver enzymes were common in people taking albendazole oral tablet. This side effect was usually mild. But in some cases, it can cause severe liver problems. Elevated liver enzymes may occur if you’re taking albendazole to treat any condition.
With elevated liver enzymes or liver problems, you may experience symptoms, such as:
Ways to manage
Your doctor will check your liver enzyme levels with a blood test before you start taking albendazole. Then, they will continue to check your levels at least every 2 weeks during your albendazole treatment.
If you experience symptoms of elevated liver enzymes or liver problems, tell your doctor. They’ll likely check your levels with a blood test.
If you do develop elevated liver enzymes while you’re taking albendazole, your doctor may monitor your levels more often during treatment. In some cases, they may recommend stopping albendazole treatment and trying a different medication to treat your tapeworm infection. Your liver enzymes will likely return to usual after stopping albendazole treatment.
Reversible hair loss
In studies, reversible hair loss was common in people taking albendazole oral tablet. This side effect was usually mild, and it was only reported in people taking albendazole for Echinococcus granulosus infection.
With hair loss, you may notice thinning of your hair or more hair loss than usual. With reversible hair loss, your hair will return to usual after stopping treatment with albendazole.
Ways to manage
If you experience symptoms of or have concerns about hair loss, tell your doctor. They may recommend a different treatment option for you.
Headache
In studies, headaches were common in people taking albendazole oral tablet. This side effect was usually mild. Headaches were reported in people taking albendazole for any condition.
With headaches, you may experience symptoms, including:
- head pain
- trouble concentrating
- sensitivity to light or sounds
Ways to manage
If you experience headache symptoms, tell your doctor. They’ll likely recommend an over-the-counter treatment option for your headache. This may include acetaminophen (Tylenol) or ibuprofen (Advil).
Allergic reaction
For some people, albendazole oral tablet can cause an allergic reaction.
Symptoms can be mild or serious, and they may include:
- itchiness
- skin rash
- swelling under the skin, usually affecting eyelids, lips, hands, or feet
- swelling of the mouth, tongue, or throat, which can make it hard to breathe
- flushing (temporary warmth, redness, or deepening of skin color)
Ways to manage
For mild allergic reaction symptoms, such as a mild rash, call your doctor right away. They may recommend treatments to help manage your symptoms. They’ll also let you know if you should keep taking the medication.
For severe allergic reaction symptoms, such as swelling or trouble breathing, call 911 or your local emergency number right away. These symptoms require immediate medical care because they can become life threatening. If you’ve had a serious allergic reaction to albendazole oral tablet, your doctor may recommend taking a different medication instead.
Warnings for albendazole
Below are some factors you may want to discuss with your doctor before taking albendazole oral tablet.
Warnings
It may not be safe for you to take albendazole oral tablet if you have specific health conditions. These are sometimes called drug-condition interactions. Other things may also affect whether albendazole oral tablet is a safe treatment option for you.
Before taking albendazole oral tablet, tell your doctor about your health. Things to consider include:
Albendazole and pregnancy
Your doctor will likely recommend that you avoid albendazole oral tablets during pregnancy. If you’re planning a pregnancy or can become pregnant, talk with your doctor before taking this medication. Your doctor may suggest birth control options to use during treatment with albendazole.
Albendazole and breastfeeding
It’s not known whether albendazole oral tablet should be taken while breastfeeding. If you’re currently breastfeeding or planning to do so, talk with your doctor before taking this medication.
Albendazole and alcohol
Albendazole oral tablet is not known to interact with alcohol.
However, it’s possible that drinking alcohol while taking albendazole may increase your risk of side effects from the drug. For example, both albendazole and alcohol may cause:
Drinking alcohol while taking albendazole may increase your risk of these side effects. If you drink alcohol, talk with your doctor about whether it’s safe to consume it during your treatment with albendazole oral tablet.
What to ask your doctor
This article describes common and serious side effects of albendazole oral tablet. If your doctor prescribes this medication, they can discuss possible side effects with you. Let your doctor know if you have concerns or questions about treatment with this medication.
Here’s a list of some possible questions you may want to ask your doctor:
- Can you lower my dose of albendazole if I develop side effects from the medication?
- Do I have a higher risk of side effects due to my other medical conditions?
- Do my other medications increase my risk of side effects?
- What should I do if I become pregnant while taking albendazole?
Disclaimer: Optum Perks has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.
