Anthelmintic (benzimidazole) Pregnancy: Should not be used in pregnancy except where no alternative management is appropriate; may cause fetal harm (embryotoxicity/skeletal malformations in animals). Discontinue immediately if pregnancy occurs.

Albendazole

Brand names: Eskazole, Zentel, Albenza

Albendazole is a broad-spectrum benzimidazole anthelmintic used to treat a range of helminth infections including hydatid disease, neurocysticercosis and various intestinal and tissue nematode infections.

Auto-extracted from the source labelling — not yet independently clinician-verified. These values were distilled from the UK SPC (or the US label where noted) but have not had a clinician sign-off. Confirm against the current SmPC before prescribing.

Adult dose

Dose: 400 mg (patients ≥60 kg); <60 kg: 15 mg/kg/day in divided doses (max total 800 mg/day)

Route: Oral

Frequency: Twice daily, with food

Max: 800 mg total daily dose (for <60 kg weight-based dosing)

US labelling. Hydatid disease: 28-day cycle followed by a 14-day albendazole-free interval, for a total of 3 cycles. Neurocysticercosis: 8 to 30 days (give appropriate steroid and anticonvulsant therapy as required; consider corticosteroids to prevent cerebral hypertensive episodes in the first week). Tablets may be crushed or chewed and swallowed with water; take with food. Monitor blood counts and liver enzymes at the start of each 28-day cycle and every 2 weeks during therapy; obtain a pregnancy test prior to therapy in women of reproductive potential.

Dose auto-extracted from US FDA prescribing information (openFDA / DailyMed) — cross-check; US labelling may differ from UK — not yet clinician-verified. Always confirm against the product SmPC and your local formulary before prescribing.

Contraindications

Known hypersensitivity to the benzimidazole class of compounds or any component of albendazole

Side effects

Abnormal liver function tests / raised transaminases
Abdominal pain, nausea/vomiting
Headache, dizziness/vertigo
Reversible alopecia, fever
Neurocysticercosis: raised intracranial pressure, meningeal signs; bone marrow suppression (fatalities reported)

Interactions

Dexamethasone — increases albendazole sulfoxide steady-state trough concentrations (~56% higher)
Praziquantel — increases albendazole sulfoxide Cmax and AUC by ~50% (fed state)
Cimetidine — increases albendazole sulfoxide concentrations in bile and cystic fluid (~2-fold)
Theophylline — albendazole induces CYP1A; monitor theophylline plasma concentrations during and after treatment

Clinical monograph

How it works

It binds parasite beta-tubulin, inhibiting microtubule polymerisation and impairing glucose uptake, which depletes the parasite's energy stores.

Prescribing in practice

Can cause bone marrow suppression and hepatotoxicity, particularly with prolonged courses, so monitor blood counts and liver function.
It is teratogenic in animals and should be avoided in pregnancy, with pregnancy excluded before treatment where appropriate.
In neurocysticercosis, corticosteroid cover and anticonvulsant use may be needed to manage inflammatory responses, as directed by specialist guidance.

Monitoring

Monitor full blood count and liver function during prolonged or repeated treatment courses.

Counselling the patient

Take with a fatty meal to improve absorption when treating tissue infections.
Use effective contraception during and for a period after treatment.
Report any fever, sore throat, jaundice or unusual tiredness.

Evidence & guidelines

Albendazole is recommended by the World Health Organization for soil-transmitted helminth control and is standard therapy for echinococcosis and neurocysticercosis.

Reference: WHO Guidelines on Echinococcosis 2009 / 2022 update; CDC Parasitic Disease Treatment Guidance; NICE CKS Worms; Drug verified in RxNorm (NLM); confirm dosing against the manufacturer SPC (eMC). Verify against your local formulary and current prescribing references before prescribing. The structured dose values shown have been reviewed by a clinician. Monograph status: clinician-reviewed (2026-07-04).

Curated clinical cross-links plus same-class fallbacks.

Pathways