Albendazole Indications and Dosage
- Ancylostoma duodenale †
- ascariasis †
- Ascaris lumbricoides †
- capillariasis †
- cutaneous larva migrans †
- cysticercosis
- Echinococcus granulosus
- enterobiasis (pinworm infection) †
- Enterobius vermicularis †
- giardiasis †
- hookworm infection †
- hydatid cyst disease
- Microsporum sp. †
- Necator americanus †
- neurocysticercosis
- Septata intestinalis †
- Strongyloides stercoralis †
- strongyloidiasis †
- Taenia saginata †
- Taenia solium †
- taeniasis †
- Trichinella spiralis †
- trichinosis †
- trichostrongyliasis †
- trichuriasis †
- Trichuris trichiura †
† non-FDA-approved indication
Albendazole Indications and Dosage
The following organisms are generally considered susceptible to albendazole in vitro: Capillaria philippinensis † , Echinococcus granulosus, Microsporum sp. † , Taenia solium † , Taenia saginata † , Trichinella spiralis † , Trichuris trichiura † , Enterobius vermicularis † , Strongyloides stercoralis † , Ascaris lumbricoides † , Ancylostoma duodenale † , and Necator americanus † .
For the treatment of hydatid cyst disease:
NOTE: The efficacy of albendazole for the treatment of alveolar hydatid disease caused by Echinoccus multilocularis has not been clearly demonstrated in clinical trials.
NOTE: When administering albendazole in the pre- or post-surgical setting, optimal killing of cyst contents is achieved when 3 courses of therapy have been given.
Oral dosage:
Adults >= 60 kg: 400 mg PO twice daily with meals for 28 days followed by a 14-day drug-free period. Repeat for 2 more cycles. For inoperable hydatid cysts, up to 5 cycles may be given.
Adults < 60 kg: 15 mg/kg/day PO (not to exceed 800 mg/day) given in two divided doses for 28 days followed by a 14-day drug-free period. Repeat as above.
Children >= 6 years: 15 mg/kg/day PO given in two divided doses for 28 days, followed by a 14-day drug-free period. Repeat as above.
For the treatment of cysticercosis or neurocysticercosis (larval form of T. solium):
NOTE: Patients should receive steroid and anticonvulsant therapy to prevent cerebral hypertensive episodes and seizures.
NOTE: Lesions considered responsive to albendazole therapy appear as nonenhancing cysts with no surrounding edema on contrast enhanced CT.
Oral dosage:
Adults >= 60 kg: 400 mg PO twice daily for 8 - 30 days. Treatment may be repeated as necessary.
Adults < 60 kg: 15 mg/kg/day PO given in two divided doses for 8 - 30 days. Maximum dosage 800 mg/day. Treatment may be repeated as necessary.
Children >= 6 years: 15 mg/kg/day PO given in two divided doses for for 8 - 30 days. Maximum dosage 800 mg/day. Treatment may be repeated as necessary.
For the treatment of ascariasis † , enterobiasis (pinworm infection) † , hookworm infection † , or trichuriasis † :
Oral dosage:
Adults and Children >= 2 years: 400 mg PO as a single dose. May repeat in 3 weeks.
Children < 2 years: 200 mg PO as a single dose. May repeat in 3 weeks.
For the treatment of capillariasis † :
Oral dosage:
Adults and Children >= 2 years: 200 mg PO twice daily for 10 days.
For the secondary treatment of cutaneous larva migrans † :
Oral dosage:
Adults: 400mg PO once daily for 3 days.
Children: 5 mg/kg/day PO for 3 days.
For the secondary treatment of giardiasis † :
Oral dosage:
Adults: 400 mg PO once daily for 3 days.
For the treatment of microsporidiosis † including Septata intestinalis † infection:
Oral dosage:
Adults: 400 mg PO twice daily to 1600 mg PO twice daily has been used. Average dosage 800 mg PO twice daily. May take up to 2 months to see effect.
For presumptive treatment of intestinal parasites in immigrants † :
Oral dosage:
Adults: 400 mg PO once daily for 5 days.
For the treatment of strongyloidiasis † or taeniasis † (tapeworm infection † ):
Oral dosage:
Adults and Children >= 2 years: 400 mg PO once daily for 3 days. May repeat course in 3 weeks.
Children < 2 years: 200 mg PO once daily for 3 days. May repeat course in 3 weeks.
For the treatment of trichinosis † :
Oral dosage:
Adults: 400 mg PO twice daily for 15 days.
For the treatment of trichostrongyliasis † :
Oral dosage:
Adults: 400 mg PO as a single dose.
Maximum Dosage Limits:
- Adults: 15 mg/kg/day PO or 800 mg/day PO for most indications; up to 3200 mg/day PO in HIV patients with microsporiosis.
- Elderly: 15 mg/kg/day PO or 800 mg/day PO for most indications.
- Adolescents: 15 mg/kg/day PO, not to exceed 800 mg/day PO.
- Children >= 2 years: 15 mg/kg/day PO, not to exceed 800 mg/day PO.
- Children < 2 years: Safe and effective use of albendazole has not been established in children less than 24 months of age. However, albendazole has been used in this age group when alternative therapy could not be used. The maximum dose is 15 mg/kg/day PO.
Patients with hepatic impairment:
Patients with abnormal liver function tests prior to beginning albendazole therapy should be carefully evaluated.
Patients with renal impairment:
The pharmacokinetics of albendazole in patients with renal impairment have not been studied; however, renal elimination of albendazole and albendazole sulfoxide is negligible and dosage adjustment in renal impairment is not expected to be necessary.
† non-FDA-approved indication
[ Last revised: 9/19/2003 6:13:00 AM ]
References
. Zulu I, Veitch A, Sianongo S, McPhail G, et al. Albendazole chemotherapy for AIDS-related diarrhoea in Zambia-clinicalk, parasitological and mucosal responses. Aliment Pharmacol Ther 2002;16:595 - 601.
. Muennig P, Pallin D, Sell RL, et al. The cost effectiveness of strategies for the treatment of intestinal parasites in immigrants. N Engl J Med 1999;340:773 - 9.
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