Image source: Pharma Cure Pharmaceuticals
Albendazole, Tablet, 400 mg
Overview:
Albendazole (Albenza) is a common anti-parasite medication used to treat a wide array of parasite infections, especially tapeworms in both human and domestic animals. It limits the metabolic mechanisms the worms employ to produce and store energy. The parasite eventually runs out of energy to process and dies. Albendazole is on the World Health Organization's List of Essential Medicines.
Medical Uses:
Albendazole is a treatment for certain parasites infection, includes:
neurocysticercosis
echinococcosis
peritoneum
Side-effects:
Some side effects of Albendazole include nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, headache, and temporary hair loss. Many people taking this drug do not have side effects.
However, if serious side effects in the following occur, please inform your doctor:
severe headache
vision changes
yellow eyes and yellow skin
severe abdominal pain
dark urine
confusion
severely stiff neck
Drug Interactions:
The following drug, combined with Albendazole, may cause you to experience some side effects.
Therefore, It is important to inform your doctor about all your medications.
*Disclaimer: the list is inconclusive
Cladribine
Clozapine
Deucravacitinib
Ublituximab
Dexamethasone
Praziquantel
Cimetidine
Dosing
The dosage of this medication will vary depending on the patient. Pay attention to your doctor's instructions or the label's instructions. The following details only the typical dosages of this medication.
For peritoneal, hepatic, and lung hydatid disease:
Adults weighing 60 kilograms (kg) or more: Your doctor has to decide the dosage depending on your body weight. Typically, the dosage is 400 mg given twice a day with meals for one cycle of 28 days.
Adults under 60 kg: Your doctor will set the dosage for you based on your body weight. The normal dosage is divided into two doses and taken with meals for 28 days at a rate of 15 mg per kilogram of body weight per day.
For children: the dosage should be determined by the doctor.
For neurocysticercosis:
Adults and children weighing 60 kilograms (kg) or more—Your doctor must set the dosage and is dependent on body weight. Typically, the dosage is 400 mg, taken twice daily with meals for 8 to 30 days.
Adults and children weighing less than 60 kg: Your doctor will select the dosage for you based on your body weight. Typically, the dose is 15 mg per kilogram of body weight and is divided into two doses daily with meals for 8 to 30 days.
Notes:
An interesting fact about Albendazole is that In Tanzania, the cost of two Albendazole pills is only 4 cents. However, in the U.S., the same two pills can cost as much as $400.The high prices for drugs to treat tropical diseases in the U.S. are mainly attributed to factors such as the lack of competition, limited market demand due to the diseases' rarity in the country, and the absence of price control mechanisms. Some pharmaceutical companies have acquired the rights to drugs that have been around
for years and raised their prices significantly for the U.S. market, taking advantage of their market position.
Citation:
Albendazole Interactions checker. Drugs.com. (n.d.).
https://www.drugs.com/drug-interactions/albendazole.html
Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research. (2023, June 1). Albendazole (oral
route) proper use. Mayo Clinic.
https://www.mayoclinic.org/drugs-supplements/albendazole-oral-route/proper-use/drg-20061505
WebMD. (n.d.). Albendazole oral: Uses, side effects, interactions, pictures, warnings & dosing. WebMD. https://www.webmd.com/drugs/2/drug-6261/albendazole-oral/details
Whitehead, N. (2017, December 11). Why a pill that’s 4 cents in Tanzania costs up to $400 in the U.S. NPR.
https://www.npr.org/sections/goatsandsoda/2017/12/11/567753423/why-a-pill-thats-4-cents-in-tanzania-costs-up-to-400-in-the-u-s
Wikimedia Foundation. (2023, July 10). Albendazole. Wikipedia.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Albendazole
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