Albendazole
Generic Albenza
Albendazole (al BEN da zole) is a generic medication prescribed for certain types of tapeworm infections in adults and children. Albendazole belongs to a group of drugs called anthelmintics.
Albendazole (al BEN da zole) is a generic medication prescribed for certain types of tapeworm infections in adults and children. Albendazole belongs to a group of drugs called anthelmintics.
- Generic
- • Tablet
- • 200mg
- • 4 Tablets
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Intro
Introduction
Written by Sarah Lewis, PharmD
Medically reviewed by Brittany A. Duke, PharmD, RPh
Updated on October 2, 2023
Albendazole (al BEN da zole) is a generic medication prescribed for certain types of tapeworm infections in adults and children. Albendazole belongs to a group of drugs called anthelmintics.
Uses
Uses of albendazole
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approves prescription drugs such as albendazole for certain conditions. Approved uses for albendazole are described below.
Use for certain types of tapeworm infections
Doctors may prescribe albendazole oral tablet for treating tapeworm larvae infections. It’s used for this purpose in adults and children 12 years or older. It’s usually prescribed as a short-term treatment.
With larval cyst tapeworm infections, the tapeworm is in a young and inactive form called a larva. A larva hatches out of a tapeworm egg in the intestines. It can travel through the bloodstream to other organs, such as the brain, eye, muscles, liver, or lung. There, it forms a cyst. The cyst will mature, but it won’t turn into a tapeworm. Cysts can burst and spread many larvae throughout the body.
The immune system reacts to tapeworm larvae and causes symptoms. These can vary depending on the infection site. Symptoms may include:
- headache
- nausea or vomiting
- pain
- seizures
- shortness of breath
- vision problems
Tapeworm larvae infections can be fatal if not treated in a timely manner.
FAQ
Common questions about albendazole
Below you’ll find answers to a few commonly asked questions about albendazole.
Is albendazole available as an oral syrup?
No, albendazole isn’t available as an oral syrup. In the United States, the drug only comes as an oral tablet. For people who have trouble swallowing tablets, albendazole oral tablet can be crushed or chewed and then swallowed with a drink of water. Also, albendazole oral tablet should be taken with food.
You can talk with your pharmacist about how to make the oral tablet easier to swallow.
How does albendazole work? And how long does it take to start working?
Albendazole works by killing the tapeworm larvae in your body. (Larvae are a young and inactive form of tapeworms.) The drug will start working to kill the larvae the same day you take it. But it can take some time to kill all of them. Because of this, you usually take the drug for a month or for several cycles.
It’s important to take the drug for the full time that your doctor prescribes. This helps make sure all the tapeworm larvae die and the infection doesn’t come back. Infections that come back can be harder to treat.
If you’d like to know more about this, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.
Side effects
Side effects of albendazole
Albendazole may cause mild or serious side effects. More common mild side effects of albendazole and its serious side effects are listed below. This article doesn’t include all possible side effects of the drug. Side effects can vary based on your age, overall health, and any other medications you take.
To learn more about albendazole’s side effects, see this article or ask your doctor or pharmacist. You can also refer to the prescribing information for albendazole listed in the “Resources” section.
Mild side effects
More common mild side effects reported with albendazole are listed below.
This article doesn’t include all possible mild side effects of the drug. To learn more about albendazole’s side effects, refer to the prescribing information for albendazole listed in the “Resources” section.
With many drugs, mild side effects may go away within a few days or a couple of weeks. If the side effects are bothersome, tell your doctor or pharmacist. They may be able to suggest ways to manage them.
Albendazole oral tablet’s mild side effects include:
- abdominal pain
- headache
- nausea or vomiting
- reversible hair loss
- mild allergic reaction*
* For details about this side effect, see the “Interactions and warnings for albendazole” section.
Serious side effects
Serious side effects of albendazole are listed below.
This article doesn’t include all possible serious side effects of the drug. To learn more about albendazole’s side effects, refer to the prescribing information for albendazole listed in the “Resources” section.
With many drugs, serious side effects are possible but not common. If you have serious side effects from this drug, call your doctor right away. If you’re having severe symptoms or a medical emergency, call 911 or a local emergency number.
In general, albendazole’s serious side effects include:
- increased pressure in the brain
- liver problems, including liver failure
- damage to the retina (part of the eye that senses light)
- seizures
- severe low blood cell counts, including white blood cells, red blood cells, and platelets
- severe allergic reaction*
* For details about this side effect, see the “Interactions and warnings for albendazole” section.
Interactions and warnings
Interactions and warnings for albendazole
Below, you’ll find information about albendazole’s possible interactions and warnings.
Interactions of albendazole
Certain things may affect how a drug works. These include getting vaccines, consuming alcohol or certain foods, or taking the drug with other medications. This effect is called a drug interaction.
Before you take albendazole, ask your doctor to check for possible interactions. Be sure to tell them about any of the following you take or use:
- prescription or over-the-counter drugs
- vitamins, herbs, or supplements
To learn about drug-condition interactions, see the “Warnings for albendazole” section below.
Warnings for albendazole
Some people should not take albendazole, and others should take it cautiously.
Albendazole could cause harm to people with certain health conditions. This effect is called a drug-condition interaction. Other factors can also affect whether albendazole is a safe option for you.
Ask your doctor about specific warnings for albendazole, and be sure to tell your doctor about your:
- current health, including any allergies to medications
- past health conditions or surgeries
Allergic reaction
Albendazole can cause an allergic reaction in some people. Severe allergic reactions are rare but possible.
If you’ve had an allergic reaction to albendazole or any of its ingredients, your doctor will likely not prescribe albendazole. They can tell you about medications that are safer options for you.
A mild allergic reaction may cause the following symptoms:
A severe allergic reaction may cause the following symptoms:
- severe skin rashes that may blister and peel
- swelling under your skin, usually in your hands, feet, eyelids, or lips
- swelling of your mouth, throat, or tongue, which can cause breathing problems
If you have an allergic reaction to albendazole, call your doctor right away. If you have severe symptoms, call 911 or a local emergency number.
Overdose of albendazole
If you take albendazole by mouth, you should not take more albendazole than your doctor prescribes. For some drugs, doing so may lead to harmful effects or overdose.
If you think you’ve taken too much albendazole, call your doctor or pharmacist right away. Or you could call 800-222-1222 to speak with someone at America’s Poison Centers. You can also use its online resource. If you have concerning symptoms, call 911 or a local emergency number immediately. You can also go to the closest emergency room.
Pregnancy or breastfeeding and albendazole
Information about albendazole and pregnancy and breastfeeding is described below.
Albendazole and pregnancy
Albendazole should not be taken during pregnancy. If you’re planning a pregnancy or can become pregnant, talk with your doctor before taking this medication. Pregnancy testing is recommended before starting albendazole.
Your doctor may suggest birth control options to use during treatment with albendazole and for 3 days after the final dose.
Albendazole and breastfeeding
It’s not known whether albendazole should be taken while breastfeeding. If you’re currently breastfeeding or planning to do so, talk with your doctor before taking this medication.
Ask your doctor
What to ask your doctor
Let your doctor know if you have questions about albendazole or would like more details about it.
Here’s a list of some possible questions you may want to ask your doctor:
- How should I take albendazole oral tablet?
- What kind of monitoring or tests may I need during albendazole treatment?
- What’s the most important information I need to know about albendazole oral tablet?
Resources
Resources
- Albendazole tablets, for oral use. (2022). https://nctr-crs.fda.gov/fdalabel/services/spl/set-ids/8c1111cf-20c0-4145-a250-878fe7a6c3b0/spl-doc
- Food and Drug Administration. (2023). Orange Book: Approved drug products with therapeutic equivalence evaluations. https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/cder/ob/index.cfm
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.
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