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(Albendazole)
Prescription required. May be split. Product of Turkey. Shipped from Mauritius.
Albenza (albendazole) is a prescription antiparasitic medication belonging to a class of drugs known as anthelmintics. It is used to treat infections caused by tapeworms and other parasitic worms.
Albendazole works by inhibiting the polymerization of tubulin, a protein essential for the structure of parasitic cells. This process enables the body’s immune system to eliminate the dead parasites, thereby resolving the infection over the course of treatment.
Albendazole is effective against both larval and adult stages of susceptible parasites.
Albenza is primarily prescribed to treat infections caused by tapeworms, including:
Neurocysticercosis: an infection caused by the pork tapeworm (Taenia solium), which can affect the brain and nervous system.
Hydatid disease (echinococcosis): caused by the dog tapeworm (Echinococcus granulosus), which can form cysts in organs like the liver or lungs.
Doctors may also prescribe Albenza off-label for other parasitic infections depending on the clinical situation. Albenza is considered a broad-spectrum antihelmintic and antiprotozoal agent.
To comply with Canadian International Pharmacy Association regulations you are permitted to order a 3-month supply or the closest package size available based on your personal prescription. read more
Take Albenza exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Follow all directions on your prescription label and read accompanying medication guides.
Take with food to enhance absorption.
If swallowing whole tablets is difficult, you may crush or chew the tablet and swallow it with a full glass of water.
Dosing is often based on body weight, especially for children and adolescents.
You may be prescribed additional medications (such as corticosteroids or anticonvulsants) to manage inflammation or seizures caused by the body's response to dying parasites.
Continue taking Albenza for the full duration prescribed, even if symptoms improve early. Stopping too soon may lead to treatment failure or recurrence.
Before using Albenza, inform your healthcare provider if you have or have had:
Liver disease
Bone marrow suppression
Eye problems, particularly involving the retina
Pregnancy:
Albenza may harm an unborn baby. Do not use if pregnant or planning to become pregnant.
Women of reproductive age should use effective birth control during treatment and for at least 3 days after the final dose.
A negative pregnancy test may be required before starting therapy.
Breastfeeding:
The safety of Albenza in breastfeeding is unknown. Talk to your doctor about risks if you are breastfeeding.
Monitoring:
Frequent blood tests are required during treatment to monitor for low white blood cell counts, changes in liver function, or other adverse effects.
Always take Albenza with food to increase the drug's effectiveness.
No other specific dietary restrictions are necessary unless instructed otherwise by your doctor. It may be recommended to avoid grapefruit or grapefruit juice.
Maintain good hydration and nutrition during treatment to support your immune system and overall recovery.
If you miss a dose:
Take it as soon as you remember.
If it’s nearly time for the next dose, skip the missed dose. Do not double up to make up for a missed dose.
Serious side effects (seek medical attention immediately):
Allergic reaction: hives, swelling of face/lips/tongue/throat, difficulty breathing
Seizures
Symptoms of bone marrow suppression: fever, sore throat, mouth sores, dizziness
Increased intracranial pressure: severe headache, vision problems, pain behind the eyes, ringing in ears
Common side effects may include:
Nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain
Elevated liver enzymes (seen in blood tests)
Headache, dizziness, light sensitivity
Fever, neck stiffness
Temporary hair loss
Report any unusual symptoms to your healthcare provider. Side effects can also be reported to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
Store Albenza at room temperature (between 68°F and 77°F or 20°C to 25°C).
Keep the bottle tightly closed and away from moisture and heat.
Do not use expired medication or tablets that appear discolored or damaged.
Avoid close contact with individuals who have infections, as Albenza may temporarily reduce white blood cell counts and weaken immune defenses.
Albenza may interact with other drugs, especially:
Dexamethasone (a steroid)
Praziquantel (another anti-parasitic)
Cimetidine (used for ulcers or reflux)
Theophylline (used for asthma)
Always provide your doctor with a full list of all medications, supplements, and herbal products you’re taking.
Albenza is not effective against viral infections, such as colds or the flu.
Albendazole (al ben' da zole) Albenza®
Albendazole is used to treat neurocysticercosis (infection caused by the pork tapeworm in the muscles, brain, and eyes that may cause seizures, brain swelling, and vision problems). Albendazole is also used along with surgery to treat cystic hydatid disease (infection caused by the dog tapeworm in the liver, lung, and lining of the abdomen that may damage these organs). Albendazole is in a class of medications called antihelmintics. It works by killing the worms.
Albendazole comes as a tablet to take by mouth. It is usually taken with food twice a day. When albendazole is used to treat neurocysticercosis, it is usually taken for 8 to 30 days. When albendazole is used to treat cystic hydatid disease, it is usually taken for 28 days, followed by a 14-day break, and repeated for a total of three cycles. Take albendazole at around the same times every day. Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully, and ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any part you do not understand. Take albendazole exactly as directed. Do not take more or less of it or take it more often than prescribed by your doctor. If you are giving the medication to a child or if you cannot swallow the tablets whole, you may crush or chew the tablets and swallow with a drink of water. Take albendazole until you finish the prescription, even if you feel better. If you stop taking albendazole too soon or skip doses, your infection may not be completely treated.
Before taking albendazole, tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to albendazole, mebendazole, any other medications, or any of the ingredients in albendazole tablets. Ask your pharmacist for a list of the ingredients. tell your doctor and pharmacist what other prescription and nonprescription medications, vitamins, nutritional supplements, and herbal products you are taking or plan to take. Be sure to mention theophylline. Your doctor may need to change the doses of your medications or monitor you carefully for side effects. tell your doctor if you have or have ever had liver disease. tell your doctor if you are pregnant, could be pregnant, or plan to become pregnant. You should not begin your treatment with albendazole until you have taken a pregnancy test with negative results. You should not become pregnant while you are taking albendazole and for at least one month after finishing your treatment. Talk to your doctor about birth control methods that you can use during your treatment. If you become pregnant while taking albendazole, call your doctor immediately. Albendazole may harm the fetus. tell your doctor if you are breast-feeding. if you are having surgery, including dental surgery, tell the doctor or dentist that you are taking albendazole. if you are taking albendazole to treat neurocysticercosis, your doctor will probably tell you to take certain medications to prevent damage to the nervous system during your treatment. Call your doctor right away if you have any of the following symptoms: seizures, headache, vomiting,extreme tiredness, or changes in behavior.
Unless your doctor tells you otherwise, continue your normal diet.
Take the missed dose as soon as you remember it. However, if it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and continue your regular dosing schedule. Do not take a double dose to make up for a missed one.
Albendazole may cause side effects. Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away: stomach pain nausea vomiting headache dizziness reversible hair loss Some side effects can be serious. If you experience any of these symptoms or those listed in the SPECIAL PRECAUTIONS section, call your doctor immediately: sore throat, fever, chills, and other signs of infection unusual bleeding or bruising weakness fatigue pale skin shortness of breath rash hives Albendazole may cause other side effects. Call your doctor if you have any unusual problems while taking this medication. If you experience a serious side effect, you or your doctor may send a report to the Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting program online (http://www.fda.gov/Safety/MedWatch) or by phone (1-800-332-1088).
Keep this medication in the container it came in, tightly closed, and out of reach of children. Store it at room temperature and away from excess heat and moisture (not in the bathroom). Unneeded medications should be disposed of in special ways to ensure that pets, children, and other people cannot consume them. However, you should not flush this medication down the toilet. Instead, the best way to dispose of your medication is through a medicine take-back program. Talk to your pharmacist or contact your local garbage/recycling department to learn about take-back programs in your community. See the FDA's Safe Disposal of Medicines website (http://goo.gl/c4Rm4p) for more information if you do not have access to a take-back program. It is important to keep all medication out of sight and reach of children as many containers (such as weekly pill minders and those for eye drops, creams, patches, and inhalers) are not child-resistant and young children can open them easily. To protect young children from poisoning, always lock safety caps and immediately place the medication in a safe location – one that is up and away and out of their sight and reach. http://www.upandaway.org
Keep all appointments with your doctor and the laboratory. Your doctor may order an eye exam before beginning your treatment. Your doctor will also order certain lab tests to check your body's response to albendazole. Do not let anyone else take your medication. Ask your pharmacist any questions you have about refilling your prescription. It is important for you to keep a written list of all of the prescription and nonprescription (over-the-counter) medicines you are taking, as well as any products such as vitamins, minerals, or other dietary supplements. You should bring this list with you each time you visit a doctor or if you are admitted to a hospital. It is also important information to carry with you in case of emergencies.
The content on this page is for informational and educational purposes only and does not constitute professional medical advice. Patients should not use the information presented on this page for diagnosing a health-related issue or disease. Before taking any medication or supplements, patients should always consult a physician or qualified healthcare professional for medical advice or information about whether a drug is safe, appropriate or effective.
