Albendazole, marketed as Albenza (United States), Eskazole, Zentel, Andazol, and A Worm, is a benzimidazole drug used for the treatment of a variety of parasitic worm infestations. It is marketed in the U. S. By Amedra Pharmaceuticals, and by GlaxoSmithKline in international markets. Albendazole was first discovered at the SmithKline Animal Health Laboratories in 1972. It is a broad-spectrum anthelmintic, effective against roundworms, tapeworms, and flukes of domestic animals and humans.
It is on the World Health Organization's List of Essential Medicines, a list of the most important medications needed in a basic health system.
Medical uses
It is effective first-line of treatment against:
Flatworms
Flukes/trematodes
Fasciolosis
Tapeworm/cestodes
Cysticercosis
Echinococcosis
Nematodes
Enterobiasis (pinworm infection)
Trichuriasis (whipworm infection)
Toxocariasis
Ascariasis
Hookworm
Cutaneous larva migrans (caused by Ancylostoma)
Filariasis
Myiasis
Other uses
Discarded bottles of albendazole distributed in Africa
In Africa, albendazole is being used to treat lymphatic filariasis as part of efforts to stop transmission of the disease. In sub-Saharan Africa, albendazole is used in conjunction with ivermectin, and elsewhere in the world, the medicine is used in combination with diethylcarbamazine.
In Brazil and other countries, it is used against giardiasis.
Side effects
Albendazole may cause abdominal pain, dizziness, headache, fever, nausea, vomiting, or temporary hair loss.
In rare cases, it may cause persistent sore throat, severe headache, seizures, vision problems, yellowing eyes or skin, dark urine, stomach pain, easy bruising, mental/mood changes, very stiff neck, or changes in amount of urine. Elevation of liver enzymes during treatment is a common side effect, but in rare cases, acute liver failure has been reported. Allergic reactions are also possible.
Rarely, albendazole has been reported to cause marrow suppression, agranulocytosis, or aplastic anemia, which may be permanent. [8] The risk of developing this side effect seems to be increased in patients with liver disease, including echinococcal cysts. Because of this dangerous side effect, it is important to regularly monitor complete blood counts.
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