Albendazole
It is used for the treatment of a variety of intestinal parasite infections, including ascariasis, pinworm infection, hookworm infection, trichuriasis, strongyloidiasis, taeniasis, clonorchiasis, opisthorchiasis, cutaneous larva migrans, giardiasis, and gnathostomiasis, among other diseases. It is on the World Health Organization's List of Essential Medicines and is available in a fixed-dose combination with ivermectin.
- class
- benzimidazole
- type
- broad-spectrum antihelmintic and antiprotozoal agent
- common_side_effects
- nausea, abdominal pain, headache
- serious_side_effects
- bone marrow suppression, liver inflammation
- pregnancy_category
- D in Australia
- essential_medicines_list
- World Health Organization
Lore & Background
It is effective against diseases such as cysticercosis, echinococcosis, ascariasis, hookworm infection, and giardiasis. The drug is often preferred in endemic countries due to its lower cost and broader spectrum compared to alternatives like praziquantel.
Reader's Guide
Albendazole is a key medication in global public health, listed on the World Health Organization's Essential Medicines List. Its significance lies in its broad-spectrum activity against intestinal parasites and tissue-dwelling helminths, making it a cornerstone of mass drug administration programs for neglected tropical diseases. Common side effects include headache and abnormal liver function, while rare but serious effects include bone marrow suppression and liver inflammation. The drug is contraindicated in those with hypersensitivity to benzimidazoles and is pregnancy category D in Australia.
Did You Know?
- It is on the World Health Organization's List of Essential Medicines.
- Albendazole is available in a fixed-dose combination with ivermectin.
- Elevation of liver enzymes occurs in 16% of patients treated for hydatid disease.
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