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Albendazole is a benzimidazole anthelmintic used to treat intestinal nematodes and tissue cestode infections in children.
Give with food to boost bioavailability and efficacy.
Single-dose regimens treat Ascaris, hookworm, and pinworm; longer courses cover tapeworm and tissue infections.
Monitor liver enzymes for extended therapy (>14 days) or in hepatic disease.
Co-administer with corticosteroids for neurocysticercosis if directed to reduce inflammatory reactions.
Advise family members on hygiene and simultaneous treatment when appropriate to prevent reinfection.
Albendazole treats a wide range of intestinal and tissue helminths.
First-line therapy for many soil-transmitted helminths; requires specialist oversight for neurocysticercosis and hydatid disease.
| Condition | Age Range | First Line? | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ascariasis | Children | Yes | Single 400 mg dose (or 10 mg/kg) effectively eradicates Ascaris lumbricoides in most pediatric cases. |
| Enterobiasis (pinworm) | Children | Yes | Administer 400 mg once and repeat in 2 weeks to prevent reinfection of household contacts. |
| Hookworm infection | Children | Yes | Single 400 mg dose or 400 mg daily for 3 days depending on species and burden. |
| Neurocysticercosis | Children | Yes | Use 15 mg/kg/day divided BID for 8–15 days with corticosteroids and anticonvulsants under specialist guidance. |
| Hydatid (Echinococcus) disease | Children | Yes | Cycles of 28 days on/14 days off with hepatic monitoring; often combined with surgical or interventional approaches. |
| Giardiasis (alternative therapy) | Children | No | Three-day course may be used when first-line nitroimidazoles are contraindicated or poorly tolerated. |
FDA-approved primary uses with Level A evidence
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Quick selection guides and diagnostic pearls
When to consider other medications
How to explain treatment to families
Albendazole is usually well tolerated. Gastrointestinal upset and headache are the most common pediatric complaints.
Serious adverse effects are rare and typically associated with prolonged therapy or preexisting liver disease.
Abdominal pain
Common • mild
Nausea
Common • mild
Elevated liver enzymes
Uncommon • moderate
Leukopenia
Rare • serious
Headache
Common • mild
Organized by affected organ systems
How to discuss side effects with families
Management protocols and monitoring
Common concerns and practical guidance
Administration guidance for pediatric albendazole therapy.
Give with a fatty meal or snack (milk, ice cream, peanut butter) to improve how well the medicine works. Chewable tablets can be crushed and mixed with a small amount of soft food if needed.
For multi-day courses, set a reminder at the same time each day. For single high-dose therapy, mark the calendar and ensure the child swallows the full dose.
Emergency contact: Seek urgent care for trouble breathing, swelling of the face or lips, jaundice, dark urine, severe abdominal pain, or if your child stops acting like themselves.
Most children tolerate albendazole well. Pair it with food and follow your clinician's instructions for stool hygiene and family screening.
Different formulations and concentrations
Safe preparation and measuring techniques
Tailored approaches for different ages
Solutions for common challenges
Storage guidelines and safety tips
Expert pearls and evidence-based tips
Albendazole is a broad-spectrum benzimidazole anthelmintic. After hepatic conversion to albendazole sulfoxide, it selectively disrupts microtubules in helminths, impairing nutrient uptake and energy metabolism.
The sulfoxide metabolite binds parasite β-tubulin, inhibiting microtubule polymerization. This leads to impaired glucose uptake, glycogen depletion, and eventual parasite death.
Simple explanations and helpful analogies
Receptors, enzymes, and cellular targets
Absorption, metabolism, and elimination
Age-related differences and special populations
Albendazole efficacy hinges on dosing with fat, repeating therapy for certain parasites, and monitoring hepatic and hematologic parameters during prolonged courses.
Use these pearls to improve cure rates and minimize toxicity in helminth infections.
Albendazole exposure rises two- to five-fold when taken with a fatty meal (e.g., whole milk, avocado toast). Counsel fam…
Pinworm, giardia, and hookworm regimens often require a second dose at 14 days; book the follow-up or reminder during th…
For hydatid disease or neurocysticercosis (cycles of 28 days on/14 days off), check AST/ALT and CBC every two weeks to c…
For enterobiasis, treat all close contacts simultaneously and emphasize hand hygiene, morning bathing, and hot-water lau…
Core insights every provider should know
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Recent updates that change how we practice
Organized by dosing, administration, and safety
How to explain treatments to families
Real-world cases with evidence-based approaches
Key numbers, algorithms, and decision tools
Understanding your child's medication is important. We've created comprehensive guides to help you safely administer Albendazole and monitor your child's response to treatment.
Fatty meals help the medicine absorb better, making it more effective against parasites.
If vomiting occurs within one hour, call your clinician for instructions. A replacement dose is often recommended.
For pinworm and some other infections, clinicians may treat household members simultaneously to reduce reinfection. Follow your clinician's plan.
Follow-up stool exams or repeat dosing schedules depend on the parasite. Your clinician will schedule testing if needed.