Albendazole

The US label lists two uses. The first is treatment of parenchymal neurocysticercosis, caused by larval forms of the pork tapeworm Taenia solium, when active lesions are present in the brain tissue.

The second is treatment of cystic hydatid disease of the liver, lung and peritoneum, caused by the larval form of the dog tapeworm Echinococcus granulosus.

The National List of Essential Medicines 2022 also places albendazole among intestinal worm medicines and antifilarial medicines. The label we reviewed does not describe those uses, so your doctor decides what applies to you.

• Neurocysticercosis (larval pork tapeworm infection of the brain tissue)
• Cystic hydatid disease of the liver, lung and abdominal lining

The label describes albendazole as a synthetic anthelmintic from the benzimidazole class.

The label section we reviewed does not explain the detailed way it acts on the parasite.

The US label for adults weighing 60 kg or more says 400 mg twice daily with meals. For lighter patients the label sets a weight-based daily amount in two divided doses, with a stated daily maximum.

For hydatid disease, the label describes a 28-day treatment cycle, then a 14-day break, repeated for a total of 3 cycles. For neurocysticercosis the label describes a course of 8 to 30 days.

The label says tablets are taken with food and may be crushed or chewed and swallowed with water. For neurocysticercosis it also calls for steroid and anticonvulsant medicines as needed, to prevent brain swelling and seizures.

The label asks for blood counts and liver enzyme tests before each cycle and about every 2 weeks, and a pregnancy test before treatment for women who could become pregnant.

This is label information, not a prescription. Indian pack labels may differ from the US label, and your prescriber's instruction always comes first.

Bone marrow suppression: the label reports deaths from very low blood counts. People with liver disease or liver hydatid disease face higher risk and need more frequent blood tests.

Pregnancy: the label says albendazole may harm the fetus based on animal studies, although small human reports did not show clear risks. A pregnancy test is advised before starting, and effective contraception during treatment and for 3 days after the last dose.

Breastfeeding: the label says albendazole and its active form are present in breast milk at low levels, with no reported harm to infants.

Brain infection treatment: seizures and raised pressure can follow the start of treatment as the parasite dies. Patients are examined for retinal lesions first, because the inflammation could damage the retina.

Liver: enzymes can rise, and the label advises stopping treatment if the rise is clinically significant.

Children: for neurocysticercosis the label says benefit in children appears similar to adults. Elderly: there was not enough data to compare. Alcohol and driving: the label section we reviewed does not describe these.

• Dexamethasone: raised levels of the active form of albendazole, about 56 percent higher in one study
• Praziquantel: raised levels of the active form by about 50 percent in healthy volunteers who had eaten
• Cimetidine: about 2-fold higher levels in bile and cyst fluid in hydatid cyst patients
• Theophylline: albendazole may affect an enzyme that clears theophylline, so theophylline blood levels should be monitored
• The label lists the following interactions.
• Your doctor or pharmacist should check your full medicine list.

No match in this label text. Ask your pharmacist about any medicine you take.

The label says that in case of overdose, symptomatic treatment and general supportive measures are advised.

The label says to store the tablets at 20 to 25 degrees C. Use a tight, light-resistant container. Keep them out of reach of children.

In the Drugs Rules schedules we checked, albendazole is listed under the prescription-only schedule (Schedule H) (Schedule H, serial 6). Schedule H medicines are sold only on a doctor's prescription.

Albendazole appears in the National List of Essential Medicines 2022 on page 69. Forms in the list include tablets of 100 mg and 400 mg, a chewable 400 mg tablet and an oral liquid of 200 mg per 5 mL, under intestinal anthelminthics and antifilarial medicines.

NPPA lists ceiling prices for several albendazole formulations. The table shows the rows we found. Check NPPA directly for the current list.

Banned combinations: we found no mention of albendazole in the banned-combination list we checked. Use the checker for your exact combination.

NPPA ceiling prices set the most a seller can charge per unit for the listed formulations, before local taxes. Check the pack and the seller.

Jan Aushadhi (PMBJP) lists albendazole 400 mg tablets, an albendazole oral suspension and an albendazole with ivermectin tablet. We have not shown a brand price here.

• Albendazole Tablets IP 400mg (pack 1's)
• Albendazole Oral Suspension IP 200 mg per 5ml (pack 10 ml)
• Albendazole 400mg and Ivermectin 6mg Tablets (pack 1's)