• Neurocysticercosis.
• Hydatid disease.

Contraindicated in:

• Hypersensitivity
• Hepatic dysfunction
• Neurocysticercosis involving the retina
• OB: Pregnancy (may cause fetal harm).

Use Cautiously in:

• Lactation: Use while breastfeeding only if potential maternal benefit justifies potential risk to infant
• Women of reproductive potential
• Pedi: Has been used safely in children <6 yr.

Derm: reversible alopecia.

GI: ↑liver enzymes (↑ in hydatid disease), abdominal pain (hydatid disease only), nausea/vomiting (↑ in neurocysticercosis).

Hemat: AGRANULOCYTOSIS, GRANULOCYTOPENIA, PANCYTOPENIA.

Neuro: headache (↑ in neurocysticercosis), ↑ intracranial pressure (↑ in neurocysticercosis), dizziness/vertigo, meningeal signs (in neurocysticercosis only).
Misc: fever (hydatid disease only).

Drug-Drug:

• Dexamethasone and praziquantel may ↑ levels.
• May ↓ levels of theophylline.

Drug-Food:

• Levels ↑ by concurrent ingestion of a high-fat meal.

(Generic available)

• Tablets: 200 mg;

Hydatid Disease

• PO (Adults and Children 60 kg): 400 mg twice daily with meals for 28 days, followed by 14 days off, for a total of 3 cycles.
• PO (Adults and Children <60 kg): 15 mg/kg/day given in 2 divided doses with meals (maximum daily dose = 800 mg) for 28 days, followed by 14 days off, for a total of 3 cycles.

Neurocysticercosis

• PO (Adults and Children 60 kg): 400 mg twice daily with meals for 8–30 days.
• PO (Adults and Children <60 kg): 15 mg/kg/day given in 2 divided doses with meals (maximum daily dose = 800 mg) for 8–30 days.

Albenza

• Inhibits tubulin polymerization, resulting in the loss of cytoplasmic microtubules.

• Death of affected larval form of susceptible parasites.

Spectrum:

• Echinococcus granulosus (dog tapeworm).
• Taenia solium (pork tapeworm).

Therapeutic Classification:

Absorption: Poorly absorbed following oral administration because of extensive first-pass hepatic metabolism, resulting in rapid conversion to albendazole sulfoxide, the active metabolite.

Distribution: Widely distributed.

Protein Binding: 70% bound to plasma proteins.

Metabolism/Excretion: After conversion to the sulfoxide metabolite, further hepatic metabolism to inactive compounds occurs. <1% excreted in urine; excretion is primarily via bile.

Half-life: Albendazole sulfoxide: 8–12 hr.

(blood levels of albendazole sulfoxide)

• Instruct patient to take medication with a fatty food exactly as directed.
• Caution patients to notify health care professional if signs of hepatotoxicity (e.g. jaundice, dark urine, light-colored bowel movement, anorexia, nausea, abdominal pain) occur.
• Advise patient to use contraception during and for at least 3 days after last dose. May cause fetal harm. Advise patient to notify health care professional if pregnancy is planned or suspected or if breastfeeding.
• Emphasize the importance of regular blood tests to check WBCs and hepatic function.

al-BEN-da-zole