albendazole

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.

Time/Action Profile ⬆ ⬇

(blood levels of albendazole sulfoxide)

ROUTE	ONSET	PEAK	DURATION
PO	unknown	2–5 hr	unknown

Contraind./Precautions ⬆ ⬇

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;
Rep: Women of reproductive potential;
Pedi: Has been used safely in children 6 yr.

Adv. Reactions/Side Effects ⬆ ⬇

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)

Interactions ⬆ ⬇

Drug-drug:

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

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

Route/Dosage ⬆ ⬇

Hydatid Disease

Neurocysticercosis

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.
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.

Availability ⬆ ⬇

(Generic available)

Tablets: 200 mg

Assessment ⬆ ⬇

Neurocysticercosis: Administer corticosteroids for 1–2 days prior to starting albendazole to minimize inflammatory reactions. Concurrent corticosteroid and anticonvulsant therapy should be administered during the first wk of albendazole therapy to prevent cerebral hypertension and potential seizures.
- Ophthalmic examinations should be performed before therapy to determine presence of retinal lesions.

Lab Test Considerations:

Verify negative pregnancy test before starting therapy.Monitor liver function tests before start of each treatment and at least every 2 wk during treatment. If enzymes are significantly ↑, discontinue albendazole; may be reinstituted when levels return to pretreatment levels.
- Monitor WBC count before each 28-day cycle and every 2 wk during each 28–day cycle. Decrease in WBC count is usually reversible upon discontinuation of therapy. Therapy may be continued if decrease is moderate and does not progress. If clinically significant ↓; discontinue therapy.

Implementation ⬆ ⬇

Administer with food (preferably high in fat content). Tablets may be crushed or chewed; follow with water.

Patient/Family Teaching ⬆ ⬇

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.
Rep: 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.

Evaluation/Desired Outcomes ⬆ ⬇

Resolution of cysts in neurocysticercosis or hydatid disease.

US Brand Names ⬆ ⬇

Code ⬆

NDC Code

0115- Amneal Pharmaceuticals of New York LLC
- 0115-1701- Albendazole
  - 0115-1701-49- 2 TABLET, FILM COATED in 1 BOTTLE (0115-1701-49)

0591- Actavis Pharma, Inc.
- 0591-2712- Albendazole
  - 0591-2712-02- 2 TABLET, FILM COATED in 1 BOTTLE (0591-2712-02)

16714- Northstar Rx LLC.
- 16714-907- Albendazole
  - 16714-907-01- 1 BLISTER PACK in 1 BOTTLE (16714-907-01) > 2 TABLET, FILM COATED in 1 BLISTER PACK

31722- Camber Pharmaceuticals
- 31722-935- Albendazole 200 mg
  - 31722-935-02- 2 TABLET, FILM COATED in 1 BOTTLE (31722-935-02)

31722- Camber Pharmaceuticals
- 31722-935- Albendazole 200 mg
  - 31722-935-28- 28 TABLET, FILM COATED in 1 BOTTLE (31722-935-28)

42799- Edenbridge Pharmaceuticals LLC.
- 42799-110- Albendazole
  - 42799-110-02- 2 TABLET in 1 BOTTLE (42799-110-02)

51407- Golden State Medical Supply Inc.
- 51407-258- Albendazole
  - 51407-258-02- 2 TABLET in 1 BOTTLE (51407-258-02)

52054- Amedra Pharmaceuticals LLC
- 52054-550- ALBENZA
  - 52054-550-22- 2 TABLET, FILM COATED in 1 BOTTLE (52054-550-22)

54505- Lineage Therapeutics Inc
- 54505-055- Albendazole
  - 54505-055-22- 2 TABLET, FILM COATED in 1 BOTTLE (54505-055-22)

54505- Lineage Therapeutics Inc
- 54505-055- Albendazole
  - 54505-055-28- 28 TABLET, FILM COATED in 1 BOTTLE (54505-055-28)

64896- Amneal Pharmaceuticals LLC
- 64896-693- ALBENZA
  - 64896-693-49- 2 TABLET, FILM COATED in 1 BOTTLE (64896-693-49)

69097- Cipla USA Inc.
- 69097-237- ALBENDAZOLE
  - 69097-237-72- 2 TABLET in 1 BOTTLE (69097-237-72)

69097- Cipla USA Inc.
- 69097-237- ALBENDAZOLE
  - 69097-237-73- 28 TABLET in 1 BOTTLE (69097-237-73)

70710- Zydus Pharmaceuticals (USA) Inc.
- 70710-1021- Albendazole
  - 70710-1021-1- 100 TABLET, FILM COATED in 1 BOTTLE (70710-1021-1)

70710- Zydus Pharmaceuticals (USA) Inc.
- 70710-1021- Albendazole
  - 70710-1021-5- 500 TABLET, FILM COATED in 1 BOTTLE (70710-1021-5)

70710- Zydus Pharmaceuticals (USA) Inc.
- 70710-1021- Albendazole
  - 70710-1021-7- 28 TABLET, FILM COATED in 1 BOTTLE (70710-1021-7)

70710- Zydus Pharmaceuticals (USA) Inc.
- 70710-1021- Albendazole
  - 70710-1021-8- 1 BLISTER PACK in 1 BOTTLE (70710-1021-8) > 2 TABLET, FILM COATED in 1 BLISTER PACK

70771- Cadila Healthcare Limited
- 70771-1103- Albendazole
  - 70771-1103-1- 100 TABLET, FILM COATED in 1 BOTTLE (70771-1103-1)

70771- Cadila Healthcare Limited
- 70771-1103- Albendazole
  - 70771-1103-5- 500 TABLET, FILM COATED in 1 BOTTLE (70771-1103-5)

70771- Cadila Healthcare Limited
- 70771-1103- Albendazole
  - 70771-1103-7- 28 TABLET, FILM COATED in 1 BOTTLE (70771-1103-7)

70771- Cadila Healthcare Limited
- 70771-1103- Albendazole
  - 70771-1103-8- 1 BLISTER PACK in 1 BOTTLE (70771-1103-8) > 2 TABLET, FILM COATED in 1 BLISTER PACK

72689- OASIS TRADING
- 72689-0036- ZENTEL
  - 72689-0036-1- 2 TABLET in 1 BLISTER PACK (72689-0036-1)

76413- Central Texas Community Health Centers
- 76413-145- ALBENZA
  - 76413-145-01- 1 TABLET, FILM COATED in 1 BOTTLE (76413-145-01)

76413- Central Texas Community Health Centers
- 76413-145- ALBENZA
  - 76413-145-02- 2 TABLET, FILM COATED in 1 BOTTLE (76413-145-02)

section name header

Pronunciation ⬇

Classifications ⬆ ⬇

Indications ⬆ ⬇

Action ⬆ ⬇

Pharmacokinetics ⬆ ⬇