Albendazole (Systemic)

Brand Names : Albenza

Proper Use of This Medicine

No special preparations (fasting, laxatives, or enemas) or other steps are necessary before, during, or immediately after treatment with albendazole.

Albendazole is best taken with meals, especially with food containing fat , to help your body absorb the medicine better.

For patients taking the tablet form of albendazole:

• Tablets should be swallowed whole with a small amount of liquid.

To help clear up your infection completely, take this medicine exactly as directed by your doctor for the full time of treatment . In some infections, additional treatments with this medicine may be needed at 2-week intervals to clear up the infection completely. Do not miss any doses .

Dosing - The dose of albendazole will be different for different patients. Follow your doctor's orders or the directions on the label . The following information includes only the average doses of albendazole. If your dose is different, do not change it unless your doctor tells you to do so.

The number of doses you take each day, the time allowed between doses, and the length of time you take the medicine depend on the medical problem for which you are taking albendazole .

• For oral dosage form (tablets):
  • For hydatid disease:
    • Adults, teenagers, and children weighing 60 kilograms (132 pounds) and over - 400 milligrams (mg) two times a day for twenty-eight days. Treatment may need to be repeated in fourteen days.
    • Adults, teenagers, and children weighing less than 60 kilograms (132 pounds) - 15 mg per kilogram (6.8 milligrams per pound) of body weight per day divided into two doses and taken for twenty-eight days. Treatment may need to be repeated in fourteen days.
  • For infections of the nervous system caused by pork tapeworm (neurocysticercosis):
    • Adults, teenagers, and children weighing 60 kilograms (132 pounds) and over - 400 milligrams (mg) two times a day for eight to thirty days.
    • For adults, teenagers, and children weighing less than 60 kilograms (132 pounds) - 15 mg per kilogram (6.8 mg per pound) of body weight per day divided into two doses and taken for eight to thirty days.

Missed dose - If you miss a dose of this medicine, take it as soon as possible. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not double doses.

Storage - To store this medicine:

• Keep out of the reach of children.
• Store away from heat and direct light.
• Do not store in the bathroom, near the kitchen sink, or in other damp places. Heat or moisture may cause the medicine to break down.
• Keep the suspension form of this medicine from freezing.
• Do not keep outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed. Be sure that any discarded medicine is out of the reach of children.