Albendazole

Therapeutic indications

Albendazole is indicated for:

Echinococcosis

Population group: both men and women, only adults (18 years old or older)

The long term use of albendazole is indicated for the treatment of hydatid cysts caused by E. granulosus in adults and children over 6 years of age, where surgical intervention is not feasible because of anatomic site or the presence of multiple cysts.

Albendazole shows greatest efficacy in the treatment of liver, lung and peritoneal cysts. Experience with bone cysts or those in the heart or central nervous system is limited, but cases of successful treatment with a prolonged course of albendazole have been reported.

Albendazole may also be used as an adjunct to surgical excision of hydatid cysts either:

  • prior to surgical intervention, or
  • post-operatively, if pre-operative treatment was too short (less than two separate

28-day cycles) or if viable cysts are found at surgery.

For this indication, competent medicine agencies globally authorize below treatments (click for details):

Treatment 1: Oral - 15mg/kg/day in divided doses

Treatment 2: Oral - 800 mg, given in divided doses of 400 mg twice daily

Trichuriasis

Population group: both men and women, only adolescents (12 years - 18 years old) , adults (18 - 65 years old)

Αlbendazole is effective against Trichuriasis.

For this indication, competent medicine agencies globally authorize below treatments (click for details):

Treatment 1: Oral - 400 mg daily

Ascariasis, filariasis

Population group: both men and women, only adolescents (12 years - 18 years old) , adults (18 - 65 years old)

Αlbendazole is effective against ascariasis, filariasis.

For this indication, competent medicine agencies globally authorize below treatments (click for details):

Treatment 1: Oral - 400 mg daily

Echinococcosis

Population group: both men and women, only children (1 year - 12 years old) , adolescents (12 years - 18 years old)

The long term use of albendazole is indicated for the treatment of hydatid cysts caused by E. granulosus in adults and children over 6 years of age, where surgical intervention is not feasible because of anatomic site or the presence of multiple cysts. Albendazole shows greatest efficacy in the treatment of liver, lung and peritoneal cysts. Experience with bone cysts or those in the heart or central nervous system is limited, but cases of successful treatment with a prolonged course of albendazole have been reported.

Albendazole may also be used as an adjunct to surgical excision of hydatid cysts either:

  • prior to surgical intervention, or
  • post-operatively, if pre-operative treatment was too short (less than two separate 28-day cycles) or if viable cysts are found at surgery.

For this indication, competent medicine agencies globally authorize below treatments (click for details):

Treatment 1: Oral - 15mg/kg/day in divided doses

Neurocysticercosis (NCC)

Population group: both men and women, only adults (18 - 65 years old)

Αlbendazole is effective in the treatment of neurocysticercosis (NCC) in courses as short as 7 days.

For this indication, competent medicine agencies globally authorize below treatments (click for details):

Treatment 1: Oral - 800mg daily, taken in two divided does (400 mg twice daily)

Treatment 2: Oral - 15mg/kg/day given in 2 divided doses

Neurocysticercosis (NCC)

Population group: both men and women, only children (1 year - 12 years old) , adolescents (12 years - 18 years old)

Αlbendazole is effective in the treatment of neurocysticercosis (NCC) in courses as short as 7 days.

For this indication, competent medicine agencies globally authorize below treatments (click for details):

Treatment 1: Oral - 15mg/kg/day given in 2 divided doses

Capillaria philippinensis

Population group: both men and women, only adults (18 - 65 years old)

Αlbendazole is effective against Capillaria philippinensis in courses of 10 days.

For this indication, competent medicine agencies globally authorize below treatments (click for details):

Treatment 1: Oral - 400 mg daily

Contraindications

Albendazole is contraindicated in the following cases:

Pregnancy

Pregnancy

Breast feeding

Lactation

Medication Recommendation

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