Albenza (Anti Parasitic)

ALBENDAZOLE (Albenza®) is an anthelmintic. This medicine treats parasitic (worm) infections from roundworms, hookworms, pinworms, whipworms, threadworms and tapeworms. Generic albendazole tablets are not yet available.

What should my health care professional know before I receive Albendazole?
They need to know if you have any of these conditions:
•anemia
•biliary tract disease
•liver disease
•low white blood cell count
•recent chemotherapy
•an unusual reaction to albendazole, other medicines, foods, dyes, or preservatives
•pregnant or trying to get pregnant
•breast-feeding

How should this medicine be used?

Take albendazole tablets by mouth. Follow the directions on the prescription label. Swallow the tablets whole with a small amount of water. You should take albendazole with a high fat meal to increase how much of the drug gets into the body. Albendazole tablets may be crushed and mixed with applesauce or pudding, which is an easy way to give it to children. Do not take your medicine more often than directed. Finish the full course of medicine prescribed by your prescriber or health care professional even if you feel better. Take at regular intervals. Parasite (worm) death can be slow. To remove all parasites (worms) from the intestines can take several days.

Contact your pediatrician or health care professional regarding the use of this medicine in children. Special care may be needed.

What if I miss a dose?

If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you can. If it is almost time for your next dose, take only that dose. Do not take double or extra doses. If you have to take a missed dose, make sure there are at least 10 to 12 hours between doses.

What drug(s) may interact with Albendazole?

•aminophyline
•caffeine
•carbamazepine
•cimetidine
•clozapine
•dexamethasone
•grapefruit juice
•mexiletine
•olanzapine
•phenobarbital
•phenytoin
•ropinirole
•tacrine
•theophyline
•warfarin

Tell your prescriber or health care professional about all other medicines you are taking, including non-prescription medicines, nutritional supplements, or herbal products. Also tell your prescriber or health care professional if you are a frequent user of drinks with caffeine or alcohol, if you smoke, or if you use illegal drugs. These may affect the way your medicine works. Check with your health care professional before stopping or starting any of your medicines.

What side effects may I notice from receiving Albendazole?

Side effects that you should report to your prescriber or health care professional as soon as possible:
•blurred vision
•diarrhea (severe)
•difficulty breathing
•fever or chills, sore throat
•joint aches and pains
•lower back pain
•muscle aches and pains
•redness, blistering, peeling or loosening of the skin, including the inside the mouth
•seizures (convulsions)
•skin rash, hives, or itching
•unusual weakness or tiredness
•yellowing of eyes or skin

Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report to your prescriber or health care professional if they continue or are bothersome):
•thinning of hair
•dizziness
•loss of appetite
•nausea, vomiting
•stomach pain, which can occur when large numbers of parasites (worms) are present

What should I watch for while taking Albendazole?

Visit your prescriber or health care professional to check that your infection has gone. Your doctor will request that you have blood drawn every 2 weeks to monitor liver function and blood cell counts while you are receiving treatment. If you have a severe infection you may need a second course of treatment.

You may get dizzy. Until you know how albendazole affects you, do not drive, use machinery, or do anything that needs mental alertness.

Practice good hygeine to prevent infection of others. Wash your hands, scrub your fingernails and shower often. Every day change and launder linens and undergarments. Scrub toilets often and keep floors clean.

Other people in your house may need treatment. Check with your prescriber or health care professional.

To prevent worm infections, treat pets regularly for worms. Keep children out of contact with animal feces (wastes). Never eat undercooked (pink) pork meat. You can kill pork worm larvae (trichinosis) by cooking pork meat until it is well done.

In females, this drug may cause harm to a developing baby if this drug is taken during pregnancy. Use an effective form of birth control while taking this drug and for 1 month after stopping albendazole; talk to your health care provider regarding birth control options. Tell your health care provider if you think you may be pregnant.

Where can I keep my medicine?

Keep out of the reach of children in a container that small children cannot open.

Store at controlled room temperature between 20—25 degrees C (68—77 degrees F). Keep container tightly closed. Protect from sunlight. Throw away any unused medicine after the expiration date.