Description
Generics: Albendazole
Dosage Form: Suspension.
Indications:
- Hookworm (Ancylostoma, Necator)
- Roundworm (Ascaris)
- Threadworm (Enterobius)
- Whipworm (Trichuris)
- Strongyloides
- Tapeworm
- Opisthorchi
Pharmacology:
Alben-DS could be a wide range anthelmintic. Albendazole shows vermicidal, ovicidal and larvicidal exercises. The medicate is thought to apply its anthelmintic impact by blocking glucose take-up within the vulnerable helminths, in this manner exhausting the vitality level until it gets to be lacking for survival. Immobilization is taken after by the parasite. These occasions may be a result of the official and ensuing restraint of parasite tubulin polymerization by Albendazole and its metabolites, in spite of the fact that the drug also ties to human tubulin. Albendazole is broadly metabolized, likely within the liver. Albendazole is ineffectively retained from the gastrointestinal tract but quickly experiences broad first-pass digestion system. The vital metabolite albendazole sulphoxide has anthelmintic activity and a plasma half-life of around 8.5 hrs. It is excreted within the pee beside other metabolites.
Dosage guideline:
Twice daily.
Adults & children over 2 years:
- 400 mg (1 tablet or 10 ml suspension) as a single dose in cases of Enterobius vermicularis, Trichuris trichiura, Ascaris lumbricoides, Ancylostoma duodenale and Necator americanus.
- In cases of strongyloidiasis or taeniasis, 400 mg (1 tablet or 10 ml suspension) daily should be given for 3 consecutive days. If the patient is not cured on follow-up after three weeks, a second course of treatment is indicated.
- Children of 1-2 years: Recommended dose is a single dose of 200 mg (5 ml suspension).
Children under 1 year: Not recommended.
In Hydatid disease (Echinococcosis):
- Albendazole is given by mouth with meals in a dose of 400 mg twice daily for 28 days for patients weighing over 60 kg.
- A dose of 15 mg/kg body weight daily in two divided doses (to a maximum total daily dose of 800 mg) is used for patients weighing less than 60 kg.
- For cystic echinococcosis, the 28 days course may be repeated after 14 days without treatment, to a total of 3 treatment cycles.
- For alveolar echinococcosis, cycles of 28 days of treatment followed by 14 days without treatment, may need to continue for months or years.
- In giardiasis, 400 mg (1 tablet or 10 ml suspension) once daily for five days is used.
Route of administration: Orally.
Interaction:
No interaction involving Albendazole, either pharmacodynamic or pharmacokinetic, has been reported.
Contraindications:
Neonates: Albendazole is not normally used in neonates.
Children: Reduction of the dose from 400 mg to 200 mg may be indicated in children weighing less than 10 kg but there are no grounds for a general reduction in dosage to children.
Pregnant woman: Albendazole should not be given during pregnancy or women thought to be pregnant. No information is available on placental transfer.
Concurrent disease: There is no evidence to suggest that dose should be altered in renal, hepatic or cardiac failure.
Side Effects:
Gastrointestinal disturbances, headache, dizziness, changes in liver enzymes, rarely reversible alopecia; rash, fever, blood disorders including leucopenia and pancytopenia reported; allergic shock if cyst leakage; convulsion and meningism in cerebral disease.
Pregnancy & Lactation:
US FDA Pregnancy category of Albendazole is C. So, Albendazole should be avoided in pregnancy and lactation unless the potential benefits to the other outweigh the possible risks to the fetus.
Precautions & Warnings:
Blood counts and liver function tests before treatment and twice during each cycle; breastfeeding; exclude pregnancy before starting treatment. Albendazole should only be used in the treatment of Echinococcosis if there is constant medical supervision with regular monitoring of serum-transaminase concentrations and of leucocyte and platelet counts.
Therapeutic Class:
Anthelmintic.
Storage Conditions:
Keep in a dry place, away from light and heat. Keep out of the reach of children.
Manufactured by:
Eskayef Pharmaceuticals Ltd.
