ALBENZA DRUG INFO

IMPORTANT NOTE: The following information is intended to supplement, not substitute for, the expertise and judgment of your physician, pharmacist or other healthcare professional. It should not be construed to indicate that use of the drug is safe, appropriate, or effective for you. Consult your healthcare professional before using this drug.

Albendazole - Oral (al-BEN-da-zole)
COMMON BRAND NAME(S): Albenza

USES: Albendazole is used to treat infections caused by worms. Albendazole works by preventing the worm from absorbing sugar (glucose). Without sugar, the worm loses energy and dies.

HOW TO USE: No special preparations (fasting, laxatives, or enemas) or other steps are necessary before, during, or immediately after treatment with albendazole. Albendazole is best taken with meals, especially those containing fat. Fat helps your body absorb the medicine better. For patients taking the tablet form of albendazole, tablets should be swallowed whole with a small amount of liquid. To help clear up your infection completely, take this medicine exactly as directed by your doctor for the full period of treatment. In some infections, additional treatments with this medicine may be required at 2-week intervals to completely clear up the infection. Avoid missing any doses.

SIDE EFFECTS: This medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, they may require medical attention if should happen to occur.

Consult your doctor as soon as possible if any of the following side effects occur:
Fever; skin rash or itching; sore throat; unusual tiredness and weakness. (Rare)
Additional side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may subside during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. However, check with your doctor if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome:
Abdominal pain; diarrhea; dizziness; headache; nausea; vomiting. (Less Common)
Thinning or loss of hair. (Rare)
Other side effects not listed above may also occur in some patients. If you experience any other reactions, check with your doctor.

PRECAUTIONS: It is important that your doctor monitors your progress following treatment. This is to ensure that the infection is cleared up completely, and to allow your doctor to check for any unwanted effects.
If your symptoms do not improve after you have taken this medicine for the full course of treatment, or if they become worse, check with your doctor.
It is important for women of child bearing age to use birth control while taking albendazole as this medicine can cause birth defects or other adverse effects.

DRUG INTERACTIONS: Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. When you are taking albendazole, it is particularly important that your health care professional is aware if you are taking any of the following:
- Cimetidine (e.g., Tagamet, Tagamet HB) or
- Corticosteroids (cortisone-like medicines) or
- Praziquantel (e.g., Biltricide)-Use of these medicines with albendazole has been shown to increase the effects of albendazole

OVERDOSE: In the event that an overdose is suspected, contact your local poison control center or emergency room immediately.

NOTES: The presence of other medical problems may affect the use of albendazole. Inform your doctor if you have any other medical problems, especially:
- Cysticercosis involving the eye-Patients who are being treated with albendazole for pork tapeworms of the nervous system (neurocysticercosis) should be examined for lesions in the eye; use of albendazole may increase the chance of side effects involving the eye
- Liver disease-Patients with liver disease may be more prone to experiencing side effects
For patients taking albendazole for hookworms :
- Anemia may occur as a result of hookworm infections. Consequently, your doctor may want you to take iron supplements. In this instance, it is important to take iron daily while you are being treated for hookworm infection. Avoid missing any doses. Your doctor may also want you to continue taking iron supplements for at least 3 to 6 months after you stop taking albendazole. If you have any concerns regarding this, check with your doctor.
For patients taking albendazole for pinworms :
- In some patients, pinworms may return after treatment with albendazole. To help prevent reinfection, wear pajamas and underwear to sleep, take a bath every day, and wash (not shake) all bedding and nightclothes (pajamas) following treatment. Treatment may be repeated after 3 weeks.
- Pinworms may be easily transmitted from one person to another, especially among persons residing together. As a result, all household members may have to be treated at the same time to prevent their infection or reinfection.
MISSED DOSE: If you miss a dose of this medicine, take it as soon as possible. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the dose you missed and revert to your regular dosing schedule. Never double dose.

STORAGE: Keep this medicine out of the reach of children. The medicine should be stored away from heat and direct light and should not be stored in the bathroom, near the kitchen sink, or in other damp places. Heat or moisture may cause the medicine to break down. Keep the suspension form of this medicine from freezing. Discard outdated or unused medicine.