Albendazole Tablet 200mg

About Albendazole Tablet 200mg

Albendazole Tablet Uses

• Treatment of roundworm (Ascaris lumbricoides) infection
• Treatment of hookworm infection caused by Ancylostoma duodenale or Necator americanus
• Treatment of whipworm (Trichuris trichiura) infection
• Treatment of threadworm or pinworm (Enterobius vermicularis) infection
• Treatment of tapeworm infection in the intestine
• Treatment of mixed intestinal worm infections
• Management of hydatid disease under specialist supervision
• Management of neurocysticercosis under specialist supervision

Albendazole Tablet Benefits

• Works against a broad range of intestinal worms in a single formula
• Single dose therapy clears most common worm infections in adults and children
• Affordable option for routine deworming in Pakistani households
• Available without a strict prescription for standard worm infections
• Generally well tolerated with a short treatment course

What Experts Say

Intestinal worm infections remain common across Pakistan, largely linked to contaminated food, unsafe drinking water and limited hand hygiene practices. Albendazole is considered a first line treatment because it targets multiple worm species with a single short course.

The medicine works by blocking glucose uptake inside worms, which slowly starves and kills them. This mechanism makes it effective against eggs and larvae as well as adult worms, which lowers the chance of quick reinfection when hygiene measures are followed alongside treatment.

Doctors generally recommend periodic deworming in households where soil transmitted worms are common, especially where water sources are not properly filtered or boiled. Better sanitation and regular handwashing alongside medication give the best long term protection against repeat infections.

Drug Class

• Benzimidazole anthelmintic (antiparasitic) agent

Albendazole Tablet 200mg formula

• Albendazole

Available forms

• Tablet

How to use Albendazole Tablet 200mg?

• The recommended dose for common intestinal worms in adults and children above two years is usually a single 400mg dose, equal to two 200mg tablets.
• Absorption of albendazole improves significantly when the tablet is taken with a fatty meal, which matters most for infections needing higher systemic levels.
• A single dose regimen is typical for roundworm, whipworm and pinworm infections, while hookworm or mixed infections sometimes need a repeat dose after two to three weeks.
• Extended multi day courses are prescribed by a specialist for hydatid disease or neurocysticercosis, often lasting several weeks under monitoring.
• Tablets can be swallowed whole, chewed or crushed and mixed with food if swallowing whole is difficult.
• The exact dose in children depends on body weight, so a doctor's guidance is important before use in young children.

Drug Interactions

• Dexamethasone and Other Corticosteroids: Combined use can raise albendazole blood levels, sometimes requiring dose adjustment under medical supervision.
• Cimetidine: This acid reducing medicine can increase albendazole levels in the blood, an effect doctors sometimes use intentionally in hydatid disease treatment.
• Praziquantel: Taking this antiparasitic together with albendazole can raise albendazole plasma levels, so combined use should be supervised by a doctor.

Risks and warnings

• Pregnancy: Albendazole should be avoided during pregnancy, particularly in the first trimester, unless a doctor determines the benefit clearly outweighs the risk.
• Liver Disease: Patients with existing liver conditions need caution and periodic liver function monitoring during treatment, since the medicine is processed by the liver.
• Prolonged Use: Extended or repeated high dose courses carry a rare risk of bone marrow suppression, so blood counts should be checked during long treatment periods.
• Breastfeeding: Limited safety data exists for use during breastfeeding, so medical advice is recommended before use.
• Children Under Two: Safety in very young children has not been firmly established, and dosing should always follow medical guidance.

Albendazole Tablet Side Effects

• Abdominal pain or stomach cramps
• Nausea and vomiting
• Headache
• Dizziness
• Diarrhea
• Temporary rise in liver enzymes
• Jaundice or yellowing of the skin and eyes
• Unusual bruising or bleeding
• Signs of low blood counts such as persistent fever or infection
• Severe allergic reactions including rash, swelling or difficulty breathing

Storage Conditions

• Store the tablets at room temperature, below 30°C.
• Keep the strip away from direct sunlight and moisture.
• Keep the medicine out of reach of children.
• Store in the original packaging until ready to use.
• Avoid storing in the bathroom or near a kitchen sink.