Complete Albendazole Information From Drugs

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AlbendazolePronunciation: (al-BEN-da-zole)Class: Anthelmintic

Trade Names

Albenza- Tablets 200 mg

Pharmacology

Inhibitory effect on tubulin polymerization, resulting in loss of cytoplasmic microtubules.

Pharmacokinetics

Absorption

Albendazole is poorly absorbed from the GI tract; however, it is rapidly converted to its primary active metabolite,albendazole sulfoxide, prior to reaching systemic circulation. Fatty meals enhance bioavailability, as indicated by up toa 5-fold increase in plasma concentration in albendazole sulfoxide. Albendazole sulfoxide plasma concentrations aredose-dependent. C max is achieved in 2 to 5 h and ranges from 0.46 to 1.58 mcg/mL, when given with a fatty meal.

Distribution

Albendazole sulfoxide is 70% protein bound and widely distributed throughout the body.

Metabolism

After metabolism in the liver to albendazole sulfoxide, it is further metabolized to albendazole sulfone and otheroxidative metabolites.

Elimination

Albendazole sulfoxide elimination half-life is 8 to 12 h. Biliary elimination of albendazole sulfoxide results in biliaryconcentrations similar to plasma concentration. Urinary excretion is a minor elimination pathway (less than 1%).

Special Populations

Renal Function Impairment

Pharmacokinetics have not been studied in patients with renal impairment, but it is unlikely that clearance ofalbendazole and albendazole sulfoxide would be affected, given the negligible renal elimination.

Hepatic Function Impairment

Systemic availability of albendazole sulfoxide is increased in patients with extrahepatic obstruction.

ElderlyData suggest pharmacokinetics are similar to those in younger, healthy subjects.

Children

mplete Albendazole information from Drugs.com http://www.drugs.com/ppa/albendazole.html

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Albendazole sulfoxide pharmacokinetics are similar to those observed in adults.

Indications and Usage

Treatment of parenchymal neurocysticercosis due to active lesions caused by larval forms of pork tapeworm, Taeniasolium ; treatment of cystic hydatid disease of the liver, lung, and peritoneum caused by larval forms of dogtapeworm, Echinococcus granulosus .

Unlabeled Uses

For the treatment of single and mixed intestinal nematode infections, including ascariasis, enterobiasis, hookworm,strongyloidiasis, trichuriasis, capillariasis, gnathostomiasis, trichostrongyliasis, tissue nematode infections, cutaneouslarva migrans, toxocariasis, ancylostoma caninum, gongylonemiasis, and trichinosis; in combination with otheranthelmintics in the management of the filarial nematode infection lymphatic filariasis; for microsporidial intestinalinfections in patients with AIDS.

Contraindications

Hypersensitivity to benzimidazole compounds or any component of the product.

Dosage and Administration

Hydatid DiseaseAdults and Children

PO For patients weighing 60 kg or more, 400 mg twice daily with meals for a 28-day cycle followed by a 14-dayalbendazole-free interval, for a total of 3 cycles. For patients weighing less than 60 kg, 15 mg/kg/day in divided dosestwice daily with meals (max, 800 mg/day) for a 28-day cycle followed by a 14-day albendazole-free interval, for atotal of 3 cycles. In the presurgical or postsurgical setting, optimal killing of cyst contents is achieved with 3 coursesof therapy.

NeurocysticercosisAdults and Children

PO For patients weighing 60 kg or more, 400 mg twice daily with meals for 8 to 30 days. For patients weighing lessthan 60 kg, 15 mg/kg/day in divided doses twice daily with meals (max, 800 mg/day) for 8 to 30 days.

General Advice

Albendazole should be taken with food.

If difficulty swallowing the tablets occurs, tablets may be crushed or chewed with a little water.

Patients being treated for neurocysticercosis should receive appropriate steroid and anticonvulsant therapy as

required. Oral or IV corticosteroids should be considered to prevent cerebral hypertensive episodes during the firstweek of treatment.

Storage/Stability

Store between 68and 77F.

Drug Interactions

Cimetidine

In patients with hydatid cyst, albendazole sulfoxide concentrations in bile and cystic fluid may be increased about2-fold; however, plasma levels are unchanged 4 h after dosing.

Dexamethasone

Albendazole C trough at steady state was about 56% higher when coadministered with dexamethasone 8 mg. Monitor


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the patient for albendazole adverse reactions. If an interaction is suspected, adjust the albendazole dose as needed.

Grapefruit juice

Albendazole plasma concentrations may be elevated and the half-life may be shortened, increasing the risk ofadverse reactions. Patients should avoid grapefruit products while taking albendazole.

Praziquantel

Albendazole sulfoxide C max may be elevated about 50%, increasing the risk of adverse reactions. Monitor the patientfor albendazole adverse reactions. If an interaction is suspected, adjust the albendazole dose as needed.

Theophylline

Although theophylline pharmacokinetics are unchanged by albendazole, monitor theophylline plasma concentrationsduring and after albendazole treatment. Adjust the theophylline dose as needed.

Adverse Reactions

CNS

Headache (11%); raised intracranial pressure (2%); dizziness/vertigo, meningeal signs (1%).

Dermatologic

Reversible alopecia (2%); erythema multiforme, Stevens-Johnson syndrome (postmarketing).

GI

Abdominal pain, nausea/vomiting (6%).

Hepatic

Abnormal LFTs (16%); acute liver failure, hepatitis (postmarketing).

Hematologic-Lymphatic

Agranulocytosis, granulocytopenia, leukopenia, pancytopenia, thrombocytopenia (less than 1%); aplastic anemia,bone marrow suppression, neutropenia (postmarketing).

Miscellaneous

Fever (1%); acute renal failure (postmarketing).

Precautions

Monitor

Monitor CBCs and liver function (transaminases) at the beginning of each 28-day cycle of therapy and every 2 wkwhile on therapy. Discontinue therapy if liver enzymes are significantly increased. Treatment can be resumed whenhepatic enzymes have returned to pretreatment levels, but perform lab tests frequently during repeat therapy.

Pregnancy

Category C .

Lactation


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Undetermined.

Children

Experience in children younger than 6 y of age is limited.

Hepatic Function

Patients with abnormal LFTs are at increased risk for hepatotoxicity and bone marrow suppression.

Hematologic effects

May cause occasional (less than 1%) reversible reductions in total white blood cell count. More significant reductions,including agranulocytosis, granulocytopenia, or pancytopenia, have been rarely reported. Rare deaths due togranulocytopenia or pancytopenia have also been reported. Agranulocytosis, aplastic anemia, and bone marrowsuppression have been reported in patients with and without underlying hepatic dysfunction.

Hepatic effects

Mild to moderate elevations of hepatic enzymes may occur; these elevations generally return to normal upon

discontinuation of albendazole. Cases of acute liver failure and hepatitis have also been reported.

Neurologic/Ophthalmic effects

Preexisting neurocysticercosis may also be uncovered in patients treated with albendazole for other conditions.Patients may experience neurological symptoms (eg, seizures, increased IOP) as a result of an inflammatory reactioncaused by death of the parasite within the brain. Cysticercosis may rarely involve the retina. Patients should beexamined for retinal lesions prior to initiation of treatment for neurocysticercosis. If lesions are present, weigh theneed of anticysticercal therapy against the possibility of retinal damage caused by albendazole-induced changes tothe retinal lesion.

Overdosage

Symptoms

No untoward effects have been reported with doses of 16 g or more over 12 h.

Patient Information

Instruct patient to take with food; inform patient that the tablets may be crushed or chewed and swallowed with adrink of water if they are unable to swallow the tablets whole.

Advise women that drug may cause fetal harm and to begin therapy after a negative pregnancy test has beenobtained.

Caution women of childbearing age to avoid becoming pregnant while on this drug or within 1 mo of completingtreatment.

Advise patient to contact health care provider immediately if pregnancy occurs while taking this drug.

Advise patients that routine (every 2 wk) monitoring of CBCs and LFTs will take place during therapy.

Copyright 2009 Wolters Kluwer Health.


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Complete Albendazole Information From Drugs

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