Albendazole

Albendazole

Albendazole, a powerful antiparasitic medication, has gained attention for its effectiveness in treating various worm infestations. This versatile drug can affect both intestinal and tissue parasites, making it a go-to choice for healthcare professionals worldwide.

Albendazole tablet uses are diverse, from treating common roundworm infections to managing more complex parasitic diseases. This article delves into the many applications of albendazole, including its use as a 400 mg tablet. We'll explore how to use albendazole tablets properly, discuss potential side effects, and examine essential precautions.

What is Albendazole?

Albendazole is a broad-spectrum anthelmintic medication that belongs to a class of drugs called antihelmintics. Its ability to penetrate different tissues allows it to target parasites in various locations within the body, including the muscles, brain, and eyes. This drug, introduced in 1975 for veterinary use and approved for human use in 1982, influences a wide range of helminth infections.

Albendazole Tablet Uses

The broad-spectrum nature of albendazole allows it to target various types of parasitic worms, such as:

• Neurocysticercosis: A serious infection of the nervous system caused by pork tapeworms.
• Cystic Hydatid Disease: This infection, caused by dog tapeworms, affects the liver, lungs, and peritoneum.
• Ringworm Infections: These fungal infections of the skin, hair, and nails respond well to albendazole treatment.
• Pinworm Disease: This infection, caused by Enterobius vermicularis, affects the intestine and rectum.
• Other Anthelmintic Applications: Albendazole can be used in the treatment of trichinosis, hookworms, and strongyloidiasis.

How to Use Albendazole Tablets

Proper use of albendazole tablets is crucial for effective treatment of parasitic infections. Patients should follow their doctor's instructions carefully to ensure the best results, such as:

• Take albendazole tablets by mouth with meals as the doctor directs, usually once or twice daily. Taking medicine with food, especially fatty foods, helps the body absorb the medicine better.
• For those who have trouble swallowing tablets, it's possible to crush or chew the dose and take it with water.
• It's essential to use albendazole regularly to get the most benefit from it.
• The doctor may prescribe a treatment cycle for some conditions, such as hydatid disease. This might involve taking the medication twice daily with foods for 28 days, followed by a two-week break before repeating the cycle. In such cases, marking the calendar with a reminder of when to restart the medication may be helpful.
• Patients should not miss any doses. If you missed a dose, take it as soon as you remember. However, if it's almost time for the next scheduled dose, skip it and continue with the regular dosing schedule.
• Complete the entire course of treatment, even if symptoms improve earlier.

Side Effects of Albendazole Tablet

Albendazole, like any medication, can cause unwanted effects alongside its intended benefits. 

Common side effects of albendazole include:

• Stomach pain
• Nausea

Less common side effects are fever and chills.

More severe reactions of albendazole include:

• Black, tarry stools
• Bleeding gums
• Blood in urine or stools
• Chest pain
• Cough
• Difficult urination
• Pinpoint red spots on the skin
• Sore throat
• Mouth sores
• Swollen glands
• Unusual bleeding or bruising
• Unusual tiredness or weakness

In some cases, albendazole can cause serious side effects, including:

• Blistering, peeling, or loosening of the skin
• Blurred vision
• Liver problems
• Digestive issues, including diarrhoea, continuing stomach pain, vomiting
• Neurological symptoms, such as headache, seizures
• Allergic reactions
• Loss of strength

Precautions

Patients taking albendazole should exercise caution and follow specific guidelines to ensure safe and effective treatment, such as:

• Precaution for Pregnancy: Women who are pregnant or planning to conceive should inform their doctor immediately.
• Risk of Infection: The medication can temporarily lower WBCs and platelet counts, increasing the risk of infection and bleeding. Patients with low blood counts should avoid contact with people with infections and seek immediate medical intervention for signs of infection, such as fever, chills, or cough.
• Hygiene Maintenance: Ensure you wash your hands thoroughly before touching your eyes or nose. Additionally, take extra care when using dental hygiene tools.
• Monitoring Symptoms: Patients treated for neurocysticercosis should be aware that albendazole may increase the risk of elevated pressure in the head or seizures. They should promptly report any related symptoms to their doctor.
• Liver and Kidney Diseases: Patients with liver or kidney impairment should exercise caution when taking albendazole, as the drug is metabolised in these organs. Regular liver and kidney function tests may be necessary during treatment.
• Lactose Intolerance: People with lactose intolerance should be aware that albendazole contains lactose, which may affect the absorption and effectiveness of the medication.

How Albendazole Tablets Work

The medication works by targeting the parasites' energy production and structural integrity. Albendazole binds to a specific site on tubulin, a protein essential for the formation of microtubules in the parasites' cells. This binding action inhibits the polymerisation or assembly of tubulin into microtubules, which are critical for various cellular functions, including glucose uptake.

As a result of this mechanism, albendazole causes several detrimental effects on the parasites:

• Energy Depletion: The parasites' ability to absorb glucose becomes impaired, rapidly depleting their glycogen stores.
• Structural Damage: The loss of cytoplasmic microtubules causes degenerative changes in the parasites' outer covering and intestinal cells.
• Metabolic Disruption: The medication affects the parasites' endoplasmic reticulum and mitochondria, reducing their ability to produce adenosine triphosphate (ATP), the energy currency of cells.

These combined effects ultimately result in the immobilisation and death of the parasites, effectively clearing the infection from the host's body.

Can I Take Albendazole with Other Medicines?

Albendazole interacts with a significant number of medications, such as:

• Acetaminophen
• Aspirin
• Activated Charcoal
• Amphetamine / Dextroamphetamine
• Amoxicillin
• Carbamazepine
• Ciprofloxacin
• Cimetidine
• Diphenhydramine
• Furosemide
• Methotrexate
• Metronidazole
• Phenobarbital
• Phenytoin
• Rifampin
• Vitamin B Complex
• Grapefruit juice

Dosing Information

The albendazole dosage varies and depends on the treatment condition and the patient's weight.

For hydatid disease of the lung, liver, and peritoneum, adults weighing 60 kg or more take 400 mg twice a day with meals for 28 days, followed by a 14-day break without taking the medication for three cycles.

Adults weighing less than 60 kg take 15 mg per kg of body weight daily, divided into two doses, with meals for 28 days. The maximum daily dose is 800 mg.

In treating neurocysticercosis, adults and children weighing 60 kg or more take 400 mg twice daily with meals for 8 to 30 days. For those weighing less than 60 kg, the dose is 15 mg per kg of body weight daily, divided into two doses, taken with meals for 8 to 30 days.

For other parasitic infections, the dosage and duration of treatment vary.

It's crucial to note that children's dosages often differ from adult dosages. For instance, in pinworm infections, children weighing less than 20 kg take 200 mg as a single dose, while those weighing 20 kg or more take 400 mg.

Patients should always take albendazole with meals to enhance absorption.

Conclusion

Albendazole stands out as a powerful weapon in the fight against a wide range of parasitic infections, from neurocysticercosis and hydatid disease to ringworm and various worm infestations. Its unique mechanism of action and versatility make it an invaluable tool in treating these conditions, improving the lives of many patients worldwide. While albendazole offers significant benefits, using it with care is crucial. Patients must follow their doctor's instructions closely, be aware of adverse effects, and take necessary precautions. Regular check-ups and open communication with doctors are key to ensuring safe and effective treatment.

FAQ's

1. What is the best time to take albendazole?

Doctors recommend taking albendazole with meals, especially food containing fat, to aid the body absorb the medicine better. For optimal effectiveness, patients should take this medication by mouth with meals as directed by their doctor, usually 1 to 2 times daily.

2. Can I take albendazole only once?

The frequency and duration of albendazole treatment depend on the specific parasitic infection being treated. For some conditions, a single dose may be sufficient. However, for more complex infections like hydatid disease or neurocysticercosis, doctors typically prescribe longer treatment courses, often involving multiple doses over several days or weeks.

3. How fast does albendazole work?

The speed at which albendazole works varies and depends on the type of parasitic infection and the individual's response to treatment. Albendazole starts working immediately by preventing the worms from absorbing sugar (glucose), causing them to lose energy and die. However, patients may not notice immediate symptom relief. It's crucial to complete the entire prescribed course of medicine, even if symptoms disappear after a few days. Stopping the medication untimely may result in a return of the infection.

4. What is the age limit for albendazole?

Albendazole has been used to treat parasitic infections in various age groups. For children aged 2-18 years, doctors generally prescribe a single 400 mg dose for conditions like whipworm, threadworm, hookworm, and ascariasis. However, using albendazole in children under two years of age may require special consideration, and the dosage is often adjusted based on the child's weight.

5. What not to eat after taking albendazole?

While there are no specific food restrictions after taking albendazole, patients should avoid eating grapefruit or drinking grapefruit juice while using this medication. Grapefruit can increase the chance of side effects with this medicine. Additionally, because albendazole may cause liver problems, it's advisable to avoid or limit alcohol intake while using this medicine.

6. Can I take albendazole before bed?

While some doctors may recommend taking albendazole 2 hours after food at night, the most important factor is consistency in timing and taking the medication with meals. The key is to maintain a regular dosing schedule and take the medication at the same time(s) each day to ensure its effectiveness.

7. Is Albendazole tablet an antibiotic?

Albendazole is not an antibiotic. It's classified as an antiparasitic or anthelmintic medication and works explicitly against a broad spectrum of parasitic worms (helminths). It disrupts the parasites' ability to absorb nutrients, leading to their death, making it effective in treating many parasitic infections.