Uses of Infesen: - Parasitic worm infections Echinococcosis Adult: <60 kg: 15 mg/kg daily in 2 divided doses. Max: 800 mg/day. ?60 kg: 400 mg bid. Admin dose for three 28-day cycles w/ a 14-day drug-free interval in between each cycle. Neurocysticercosis Adult: <60 kg: 15 mg/kg daily in 2 divided doses (max: 800 mg/day) for 8-30 days. ?60 kg: 400 mg bid for 8-30 days. Ancylostoma, Ascariasis, Hookworm, Trichostrongylus 400 mg PO once Child: PO 15 mg/kg/day (max 800 mg/day) q12h

Anthelmintic

Albendazole is a broad spectrum benzimidazole anthelminthic drug. In addition to its vermicidal properties, it has both ovicidal and larvicidal activities.

How to use Albendazole: Take this medicine in the dose and duration as advised by your doctor. Swallow it as a whole. Do not chew, crush or break it. Albendazole may be taken with or without food, but it is better to take it at a fixed time. Administration: Increased serum concentrations w/ dexamethasone, praziquantel and cimetidine. Decreased serum concentrations w/ aminoquinoline (antimalarials), carbamazepine, phenobarbital, and phenytoin. Adult Dose: Monitor blood counts and liver function. Administer within 7 days of start of normal menstruation in women of childbearing age. Adequate nonhormonal contraceptive measures must be taken during and for 1 mth after therapy. Perform liver function tests and blood counts before and every 2 wk during high dose therapy of hydatid disease. Lactation: unknown, use caution. Renal Dose: Albendazole sulfoxide (active metabolite), causes selective degeneration of cytoplasmic microtubules in intestinal and tegmental cells of intestinal helminths and larvae; glycogen is depleted, glucose uptake and cholinesterase secretion are impaired and desecratory substances accumulate intracellulary. ATP production decreases, causing energy depletion, immobilisation and worm death.

Pregnancy and lactation. Neonates. Hypersensitivity, liver impairment.

Child: PO 15 mg/kg/day (max 800 mg/day) q12h

Common - Vomiting - Dizziness - Increased liver enzymes - Nausea - Loss of appetite

US FDA Pregnancy category of Albendazole is C. So, Albendazole should be avoided in pregnancy and lactation unless the potential benefits to the other outweigh the possible risks to the fetus.

Precaution: Helminthiasis, Echinococcosis, Neurocysticercosis, Enterobiasis, Ascariasis, Hookworm infections, Strongyloidiasis, Giardiasis, Filariasis

Keep in a dry place, away from light and heat. Keep out of the reach of children.

Anthelmintic

Should be taken with food.

>10% Headache,Neurocysticercosis (11%),Hydatid disease (1.3%),Abnormal LFT,Hydatid disease (15.6%),Neurocysticercosis (<1%) 1-10% Abdominal pain,Hydatid disease (6%),Nausea/vomiting,Hydatid disease (3.7%),Neurocysticercosis (6.2%),Dizziness/vertigo,Hydatid disease (1.2%),Neurocysticercosis (<1%),Increased intracranial pressure,Neurocysticercosis (1%),Meningeal signs,Neurocysticercosis (1%),Alopecia (reversible),Hydatid disease (1.6%),Neurocysticercosis (<1%),Fever,Hydatid disease (1%) <1% (selected) Rash,Urticaria,Agranulocytosis,Aplastic anemia,Bone marrow suppression,Granulocytopenia,Pancytopenia,Thrombocytopenia,Hepatitis,Acute liver failure,Acute renal failure Potentially Fatal: Bone marrow depression.