Albendazole

What is Albendazole?

Albendazole is an anthelmintic medication. This means it’s specifically designed to treat parasitic worm infections. It’s effective at treating a variety of infections, including pinworm, roundworm, whipworm, and hookworm. It’s also used for more severe parasitic infections like neurocysticercosis, which affects the nervous system, and hydatid disease, caused by dog tapeworms.^[1]

Albendazole works by disrupting the ability of worms to absorb glucose, which is essential for their survival. Without this energy source, they die and are expelled naturally through your bowel movements.^[2]

How does Albendazole work?

Albendazole works by blocking the parasites’ ability to absorb glucose, which is their primary energy source. Without glucose, the worms lose their mobility, can’t grow or reproduce, and eventually die.^[1] Because Albendazole is poorly absorbed into the bloodstream, it remains primarily in your intestines, making it highly effective for treating gut-based infections, like pinworms.^[1]

For infections that have spread to other areas of the body (such as neurocysticercosis), albendazole is metabolized in the liver into an active form that can travel through the bloodstream to target parasites elsewhere.

What forms of Albendazole are there?

Albendazole is available as 200mg and 400mg tablets. The dosage you’ll be prescribed will depend on the type and severity of your infection. But typically, you’ll be prescribed one 400mg tablet, followed by a second dose two weeks later. If you’re using the 200mg tablets, you’ll need to take two at a time to reach the 400mg dose.

How to take Albendazole?

Albendazole should be taken exactly as prescribed by a healthcare provider. The dosage and length of your treatment will depend on the severity of your infection. For most mild infections, like pinworm, one or two doses are often enough. A doctor will usually prescribe you a follow up dose, just to make sure your infection is fully treated.^[1]

Taking Albendazole with food, particularly a high-fat meal, can improve the absorption of the drug in your body, increasing its effectiveness.^[2] If you find it difficult to swallow pills, they can be crushed and mixed with food or drink to make it easier.

How long does it take Albendazole to work?

Albendazole starts working soon after you take it, but it can take a few days for all the worms to be expelled from the body. A doctor will usually prescribe a second dose to take two weeks after your first dose. This is because while albendazole kills the worms, it doesn’t get rid of the eggs.^[1] A second dose a couple of weeks later can make sure any remaining worms are eliminated.

What should I do if I make a mistake when taking Albendazole?

If you forget to take a dose, take it as soon as you remember. Don’t double a dose to make up for a missed one. If you accidentally take too much Albendazole, seek medical advice. Too much albendazole can cause side effects like nausea and vomiting.