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Albendazole is an anthelmintic drug that can prevent the development of insect larvae and worms in the body.
Albendazole is also widely used to treat certain infections caused by worms, such as tapeworms in pigs and tapeworms in dogs.
However, you need to know that albendazole can harm the baby in the womb so pregnant women are not advised to consume it. So, let’s find out more about albendazole so you don’t use it incorrectly!
Also read: Sensitive teeth make you lazy to eat, let’s find out what the causes are
What is albendazole medication?
Reported by the Mayo Clinic, albendazole is a drug that is useful for treating certain tapeworm infections, such as neurocysticercosis and hydatid disease. This medication is taken by mouth or orally and is usually consumed 1 to 2 times a day.
For some conditions, such as hydatid disease, your doctor may direct you to take this medication in a treatment cycle, for example twice a day.
Consumption of the drug must be done regularly for 28 days then ask the doctor for further instructions after stopping it.
Before taking this medicine, pay attention if you have other diseases that could harm the body. Tell your doctor immediately if you ever experience eye problems, especially with the retina, liver disease, or bone marrow suppression.
Things that must be considered before taking medication
In deciding to use medication, the risks that will be felt in the future must be considered first. So, several things you need to pay attention to before taking this drug include:
- Allergy. Make sure to tell your doctor if you have any types of allergies, such as food, dyes, preservatives, or animals. For non-prescription products, read the label on the package carefully to prevent allergies.
- Children. Although there are no clear studies to show any pediatric problems resulting from the use of the drug, it is advisable to be careful when consuming it. The dosage in children must also be considered because it can cause hydatid disease.
- Elderly. Proper research on the relationship between age and the effects of albendazole has not been carried out, but it is also necessary to pay attention to its use in elderly people. Ask your doctor for a prescription if you must take this medicine.
What is the correct dosage for using albendazole?
The dose of albendazole will be different for each individual according to the condition of the disease. Apart from that, the amount of medicine consumed also depends on the strength of the medicine so the length of time to take the medicine is based on the medical problem.
So, for more details, here are the dosages for using the drug albendazole that you need to know:
1. Adult dosage for hydatid disease
People who have hydatid disease and weigh less than 60 kg usually need a drug dose of 15 mg per kilogram of body weight per day. The drug is consumed twice a day with a maximum dose of 800 mg per day.
The duration of therapy is 28 days and is followed by a drug-free interval of 14 days for a total of 3 cycles. This drug is also useful for treating cystic hydatidosis of the liver, lungs and peritoneum due to the larval form of Echinococcus granulosus.
2. Adult dosage for neurocysticercosis
For people with neurocysticercosis who weigh 60 kg or more, they need a dose of 400 mg orally twice a day. Usually, the duration of therapy is 8 to 30 days depending on the severity of the disease.
However, patients need to receive appropriate steroid and anticonvulsant therapy as needed. Additionally, oral or IV corticosteroids should be considered to prevent cerebral hypertension during the first week of therapy.
3. Adult dose for pinworm infections
For people who have infections due to common pinworms, around 400 mg of medication orally as a single dose and repeated use in two weeks will be recommended.
Apart from that, doctors also advise people who have direct contact with sufferers to have their health checked.
4. Adult dosage for strongyloidiasis
For people with strongyloidiasis, a drug dose of 400 mg orally twice a day is usually recommended for 7 days.
However, the doctor will also suggest alternative therapies. Therefore, repeat treatment can be carried out to obtain maximum healing.
5. Adult dose for cysticercus cellulosae
The drug dose for patients with cysticercus cellulosae is 400 mg orally and consumed twice a day for 8 to 30 days. Repetition of medication is usually only done as necessary with a duration of therapy of around 30 days.
6. Adult dosage for echinococcus infections
The drug used for the condition of patients with echinococcus infection is 400 mg orally and consumed twice a day for 1 to 6 months. For this reason, this treatment is highly recommended for cystic echinococcosis in patients with small cysts.
Not only that, this drug is also often given before surgery to facilitate safe manipulation of the cyst bed by inactivating the protoscoleces. This drug can work by changing the integrity of the cyst membrane and reducing cyst turgidity.
Side effects of using albendazole
Even though it has very useful benefits for eliminating worm infections, the drug albendazole can also cause dangerous side effects.
Side effects from using this drug are rare, but need immediate treatment by medical personnel so that they do not get worse.
Well, some of the side effects that may be felt are fever, bleeding gums, chest pain, coughing, chills, and painful urination. Apart from that, it often causes white spots on the lips, unusual bleeding or bruising, and fatigue.
If side effects persist, contact a doctor or healthcare professional immediately for further and complete treatment. The doctor will usually provide other treatment based on the symptoms that appear.
How to store albendazole medication correctly
Please note, if you miss a dose of this medicine, take it as soon as possible. However, if it is almost time for the next dose then skip it and return to your regular schedule. Do not double the dose because it can endanger your health condition.
To store this medication, be sure to place it in a closed container and place it at room temperature. Try to stay away from heat, too cold temperatures, humidity, and exposure to direct sunlight.
Keep out of reach of children and do not store medicines that are no longer needed. Immediately ask a specialist doctor or medical personnel how to dispose of medication safely and appropriately.
How to prevent worm infections
The drug albendazole can temporarily reduce the number of white blood cells in the blood and increase the chance of infection.
Apart from that, this drug is also able to help reduce platelets which are usually needed for blood clotting. So, some measures to prevent infection and bleeding include:
Avoid contact with infected people
As much as possible, avoid contact with infected people. If you have already had contact with an infected person, immediately check with a doctor if you have a fever, cough, sore throat or pain when urinating.
See a doctor immediately if symptoms get worse
If you experience unusual bleeding in your stool or urine, immediately undergo an examination with a specialist. Usually, the doctor will carry out other examination tests to get a more precise diagnosis.
Be careful when using a toothbrush
When brushing or toothpicking, it is advisable to be careful because infections can enter through the mouth. Usually, the doctor will recommend other ways to clean teeth and gums.
Avoid touching your eyes and nose carelessly
After traveling, it is highly recommended to wash your hands first with clean water and soap. Try not to touch your eyes and the inside of your nose if your hands have not been washed.
For patients being treated for neurocysticercosis, this drug may increase the risk of experiencing increased pressure in the head or seizures. Therefore, if you have further symptoms, such as seizures, talk to your doctor immediately.
Consult a doctor immediately if you have pain or tenderness in the upper abdomen, pale stools, dark urine, loss of appetite, nausea or vomiting, and yellow skin. Do not take other medications unless discussed with your doctor, including herbal supplements and vitamins.
You can ask our doctor for other information about this drug via Good Doctor, a 24/7 service. Our doctor partners are ready to provide solutions. Come on, download the Good Doctor application here