Albendazole is a member of the benzimidazole compounds used as a drug indicated for the treatment of a variety of worm infestations.

Albendazole works by interfering with proteins in either the worm's intestine or absorptive cells. This leads to the worm not being able to absorb sugar (glucose), which are essential for its survival. Therefore the energy stores of the worm are depleted, and this leads to its eventual death within several days.

Albendazole is used to treat Hydatid disease (echinococcosis) and infection of the nervous system caused by pork tapeworms (neurocysticercosis), also for Hookworm, Ascariasis, Whipworm and Strongyloidiasis.

 

Dosage

Hydatid disease:

Patients 60 kg or greater: 400 mg twice daily, with meals.

Patients less than 60 kg: 15 mg/kg/day given in divided doses twice daily with meals (maximum total daily dose 800 mg).

Treatment interval: 28-day cycle followed by a 14-day albendazole-free interval, for a total of 3 cycles.

NOTE: When administering albendazole in the pre- or post-surgical setting, optimal killing of cyst contents is achieved when 3 courses of therapy have been given.

 

Neurocysticerosis:

Patients 60 kg or greater: 400 mg twice daily, with meals.

Patients less than 60 kg: 15 mg/kg/day given in divided doses twice daily with meals (maximum total daily dose 800 mg).

Treatment interval: 8-30 days.

Note: Patients being treated for neurocysticercosis should receive appropriate steroid and anticonvulsant therapy as required. Oral or intravenous corticosteroids should be considered to prevent cerebral hypertensive episodes during the first week of treatment.