Albendazole
About Albendazole
Albendazole is an anti-parasite medicine used to treat different parasitic infections in children. Parasitic infections are diseases caused by parasites (micro-organisms) that live in or on another host/organism. Albendazole is used in treating infections of the roundworms, hookworms, threadworms, whipworms, pinworms, and flukes caused by parasites. It is also used to treat neurocysticercosis (infection caused by pork tapeworm) and cystic hydatid disease (infection caused by dog tapeworm).
Albendazole contains Albendazole as an active ingredient belonging to the class of benzimidazole drugs. It works by inhibiting tubulin polymerisation, causing metabolic disruption and energy depletion in the parasite, leading to immobilization. This eventually leads to the death of susceptible helminths and thus prevents the growth of parasitic infections.
Albendazole may cause certain side effects in your child, such as indigestion, diarrhea, nausea, metallic taste, vomiting, headache, and stomach pain. These side effects do not require medical attention and gradually resolve over time. However, if the side effects persist or worsen, please consult your pediatrician. Albendazole should be given as advised by your doctor. Do not give the child more than the prescribed dose of Albendazole. Generally, the dose of the medicine will be decided by your pediatrician depending upon the type and severity of the infection.
Albendazole is intended for pediatric use only. Avoid giving Albendazole to your child if she/he is allergic to antibiotics. Keep your doctor informed about your child’s health condition, medications, and medical history to rule out any side effects/interactions. Avoid giving Albendazole if you notice any unusual bleeding or bruising symptoms in your child, and consult your paediatrician immediately.
Uses of Albendazole
• Treating Intestinal Worm Infections: Albendazole is commonly prescribed to combat various intestinal worm infections, such as those caused by roundworms and hookworms.
• Managing Neurocysticercosis: Albendazole effectively treats neurocysticercosis, a central nervous system condition resulting from the larval stage of the pork tapeworm (Taenia solium).
• Treatment of Echinococcosis: Albendazole is also used to address echinococcosis, an infection caused by Echinococcus granulosus, which leads to cyst formation in organs like the liver or lungs.
• Alternative Management of Giardiasis: Though not the primary treatment, Albendazole can be an alternative for managing giardiasis, an intestinal infection caused by the Giardia lamblia parasite.
Medicinal Benefits
Albendazole contains Albendazole. It is a broad-spectrum anthelmintic that acts against intestinal nematode and cestode infection. Albendazole is used in the treatment of several parasitic infections in children. It works by inhibiting tubulin polymerisation, causing metabolic disruption and energy depletion in the parasite, leading to immobilization. This eventually leads to the death of susceptible helminths and thus prevents the growth of parasitic infections.
Directions for Use
Storage
Side Effects of Albendazole
- Nausea
- Diarrhoea
- Stomach upset
- Indigestion
- Vomiting
- Headache
Drug Warnings
Avoid giving Albendazole to your child if she/he is allergic to it. Keep your paediatrician informed about your child’s health condition including their previous medications and medical history to rule out any side effects/interactions. Before administration, notify the paediatrician of all the OTC medicines including other vitamin supplements that your child is taking. It is advised not to give more than the prescribed dose of medicine. Also, inform your doctor if your child has liver or kidney-related issues before administration. Albendazole is intended for use in children. Hence, pregnant, and breastfeeding mothers should avoid taking this solution.
Drug Interactions
Drug-Drug Interactions: Albendazole may interact with anthelmintic (praziquantel), corticosteroid (dexamethasone), antacid (cimetidine), and anti-asthma (theophylline).
Drug-Food Interactions: No interactions found/established.
Drug-Disease Interactions: Inform your doctor about the complete medical history of your child before giving Albendazole.
Drug-Drug Interactions Checker List:
Safety Advice
Alcohol
not applicable-
Pregnancy
not applicable-
Breast Feeding
not applicable-
Driving
not applicable-
Liver
cautionIf your child has liver disease, inform your paediatrician before using Albendazole.
Kidney
cautionIf your child has kidney disease, inform your paediatrician before using Albendazole.
Children
safe if prescribedAlbendazole is safe for children above 1 year of age if prescribed by the doctor. Your paediatrician will decide the dose of the medicine. Do not give more than the recommended dose to your child.
Habit Forming
Diet & Lifestyle Advise
- Include more fiber-enriched food in your child’s diet, as it can be easily digested by gut bacteria, which helps stimulate their growth.
- Fiber foods may help restore healthy gut bacteria after a course of antibiotics.
- Make your child drink more fluids to avoid dehydration.
- Maintain proper hygiene for your child
- Make your child drink clean and filtered water.
- If your child is infected, avoid giving non-vegetarian food for some days.
- Regularly wash your child's hands with soap and water, especially after using the toilet and while eating.
Patients Concern
Disease/Condition Glossary
Parasitic infections: Parasitic worms, also called intestinal worms or helminths, are infections caused by parasites (micro-organisms) that live in or on another host/organism. Intestinal worms are of different types, such as roundworms and flatworms, such as tapeworms and flukes. These infections can occur due to consuming contaminated water, food or soil, contact with contaminated faeces, poor sanitisation and poor hygiene. Symptoms may include abdominal pain, diarrhoea, nausea, vomiting, gas, bloating, fatigue, unexplained weight loss, and dysentery (bloody stools). Albendazole is used in treating infections of the roundworms, hookworms, threadworms, whipworms, pinworms, and flukes caused by parasites.
FAQs
Albendazole is used to treat different parasitic infections in children. It is used in treating infections of the roundworms, hookworms, threadworms, whipworms, pinworms, and flukes caused by parasites. It is also used to treat neurocysticercosis (infection caused by pork tapeworm) and cystic hydatid disease (infection caused by dog tapeworm).
Albendazole works by inhibiting tubulin polymerisation, causing metabolic disruption and energy depletion in the parasite, leading to immobilization. This eventually leads to the death of susceptible helminths and thus prevents the growth of parasitic infections.
Albendazole can cause diarrhea in children. If your child has diarrhea that is watery or bloody, call your doctor. Do not use anti-diarrheal medicine unless your paediatrician tells you to.
No, it is advised to complete the entire treatment course as prescribed. If the treatment is stopped abruptly, there may be a recurrence of the infection.
