Albendazole is a broad-spectrum anthelmintic medication that treats various parasitic worm infections. It works by targeting and disrupting the parasites’ ability to thrive and reproduce, leading to their elimination from the body.
Parasitic Infections Treated
A single 400 mg dose of albendazole treats several intestinal parasitic infections in adults. These include pinworm (Enterobius vermicularis), hookworm (Ancylostoma duodenale, Necator americanus), roundworm (Ascaris lumbricoides), and whipworm (Trichuris trichiura). A healthcare provider’s diagnosis is important to confirm the specific infection before treatment. More complex or systemic parasitic diseases, such as cysticercosis or hydatid disease, require different treatment protocols involving multiple doses over an extended period.
Proper Administration and How It Works
For adults, the standard single dose of albendazole is a 400 mg tablet. It is recommended to take this medication with a fatty meal. Consuming albendazole with food, particularly a fatty meal, significantly increases its absorption, enhancing its effectiveness by up to five times compared to taking it on an empty stomach. Once absorbed, the drug targets parasitic worms at a cellular level.
Albendazole’s mechanism of action involves inhibiting the polymerization of tubulin, a protein that forms microtubules within the parasite’s cells. Microtubules are structural components parasites depend on for cellular processes like nutrient absorption and maintaining cell shape. By disrupting these microtubules, the drug interferes with the parasite’s ability to absorb glucose, a primary energy source. This glucose deprivation depletes the worm’s energy reserves, hindering its ability to produce adenosine triphosphate (ATP) and causing its immobilization, death, and expulsion from the body.
Efficacy and Potential Side Effects
A single dose of albendazole demonstrates high cure rates for targeted intestinal infections, with studies showing effectiveness for Ascaris lumbricoides ranging from 93.2% to 100% with a 400 mg single dose. For pinworm infections, a healthcare provider may advise a second dose, usually two weeks after the first. This follow-up dose helps eliminate any newly hatched worms from eggs that survived the initial treatment, preventing reinfection.
Common and mild side effects include headache, nausea, abdominal pain, and dizziness. While these symptoms are typically temporary, less common but serious symptoms warrant immediate medical attention. These include signs of liver issues such as pain or tenderness in the upper stomach, dark urine, or yellowing of the skin or eyes. Symptoms of bone marrow suppression, such as unusual bleeding or bruising, fever, or a sore throat, should be reported to a doctor immediately. Individuals with pre-existing liver conditions or those who are pregnant should not take this medication due to potential risks to the developing fetus.