Albendazole

Albendazole is an anthelmintic drug indicated for: Treatment of parenchymal neurocysticercosis due to active lesions caused by larval forms of the pork tapeworm, Taenia solium . ( 1.1 ) Treatment of cystic hydatid disease of the liver, lung, and peritoneum, caused by the larval form of the dog tapeworm, Echinococcus granulosus . ( 1.2 ) 1.1 Neurocysticercosis Albendazole is indicated for the treatment of parenchymal neurocysticercosis due to active lesions caused by larval forms of the pork tapeworm, Taenia solium . …

• Patients weighing 60 kg or greater, 400 mg twice daily; less than 60 kg, 15 mg/kg/day in divided doses twice daily (maximum total daily dose 800 mg)
• Albendazole tablets should be taken with food
• Hydatid disease: 28-day cycle followed by 14-day albendazole-free interval for a total of 3 cycles
• Neurocysticercosis: 8 to 30 days
• See additional important information in the Full Prescribing Information
• Dosage Dosing of albendazole will vary depending upon the indication
• Albendazole tablets may be crushed or chewed and swallowed with a drink of water
• Albendazole tablets should be taken with food [see Clinical Pharmacology ]
• Table 1: Albendazole Dosage Indication Patient Weight Dose Duration Hydatid Disease 60 kg or greater 400 mg twice daily, with meals 28-day cycle followed by a 14-day albendazole-free interval, for a total of 3 cycles Less than 60 kg 15 mg/kg/day given in divided doses twice daily with meals (maximum total daily dose 800 mg) Neurocysticercosis 60 kg or greater 400 mg twice daily, with meals 8 to 30 days Less than 60 kg 15 mg/kg/day given in divided doses twice daily with meals (maximum total daily dose 800 mg) Concomitant Medication to Avoid Adverse Reactions Patients being treated for neurocysticercosis should receive appropriate steroid and anticonvulsant therapy as required
• Oral or intravenous corticosteroids should be considered to prevent cerebral hypertensive episodes during the first week of treatment [see Warnings and Precautions ] . …

Tablet: 200 mg Tablet: 200 mg ( 3 )

• Hydatid disease is uncommon in infants and young children
• In neurocysticercosis, the efficacy of albendazole in children appears to be similar to that in adults

In patients aged 65 and older with either hydatid disease or neurocysticercosis, there was insufficient data to determine whether the safety and effectiveness of albendazole is different from that of younger patients.

• Patients should be advised that: Some people, particularly children, may experience difficulties swallowing the albendazole tablets whole
• Take albendazole with food
• Albendazole may cause fetal harm, therefore, obtain a pregnancy test in women of reproductive potential prior to initiating therapy [see Use in Specific Populations ]
• Advise women of reproductive potential to use effective birth control while on albendazole and for one month after completing treatment [see Use in Specific Populations ] . …

• Albendazole is contraindicated in patients with known hypersensitivity to the benzimidazole class of compounds or any components of albendazole
• Patients with known hypersensitivity to the benzimidazole class of compounds or any components of albendazole

Dexamethasone: Steady-state trough concentrations of albendazole sulfoxide were about 56% higher when dexamethasone was coadministered with each dose of albendazole. ( 7.1 ) Praziquantel: In the fed state increased mean maximum plasma concentration and area under the curve of albendazole sulfoxide by about 50% in healthy subjects. ( 7.2 ) Cimetidine: Increased albendazole sulfoxide concentrations in bile and cystic fluid by about 2-fold in hydatid cyst patients. ( 7.3 ) Theophylline: Albendazole induces cytochrome P450 1A in human hepatoma cells; therefore, it is recommended that plasma concentrations of theophylline be monitored during and after treatment. …

Bone Marrow Suppression: Fatalities have been reported due to bone marrow suppression; monitor blood counts in all patients at the beginning of each 28-day cycle of therapy, and every 2 weeks while on therapy. Discontinue albendazole if clinically significant changes in blood counts occur. ( 5.1 , 5.4 ) Embryo-fetal Toxicity: Obtain pregnancy test in women of reproductive potential prior to therapy and avoid usage in pregnant women except in clinical circumstances where no alternative management is appropriate. Discontinue therapy if pregnancy occurs and apprise patient of potential hazard to the fetus. …

Adverse reactions 1% or greater in hydatid disease: abnormal liver function tests, abdominal pain, nausea/vomiting, reversible alopecia, headache, dizziness/vertigo, fever. ( 6.1 ) Adverse reactions 1% or greater in neurocysticercosis: headache, nausea/vomiting, raised intracranial pressure, meningeal signs. ( 6.1 ) To report SUSPECTED ADVERSE REACTIONS, contact Amneal Pharmaceuticals at 1-877-835-5472 or FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or www.fda.gov/medwatch. …

8.1 Pregnancy Risk Summary There are limited data on use of albendazole in pregnant women to inform a drug-associated risk of major birth defects and miscarriage. In published studies, single-dose albendazole exposure during pregnancy did not show evidence of an increased risk of adverse maternal or fetal outcomes; however, this finding cannot be extrapolated to multiple-dose exposures ( see Data ). …

In case of overdosage, symptomatic therapy and general supportive measures are recommended.

Store at 20° to 25°C (68° to 77°F) [See USP Controlled Room Temperature].

Tome assim que lembrar, a menos que esteja quase na hora da próxima dose. Nesse caso, pule a dose esquecida. Nunca tome duas doses de uma vez para compensar. Confira a bula, pois alguns medicamentos são diferentes.