Alben200mg/5m

Introduction

Alben is an antiparasitic medicine, used for the treatment of parasitic worm infections. It works by killing the worms that cause infections and stops the infection from spreading. Alben should be used in the dose and duration as advised by your doctor. Take it with or without food, preferably at a fixed time. Avoid skipping any doses and finish the full course of treatment even if you feel better. Do not take a double dose to make up for a missed dose. Simply take the next dose as planned. Some people may experience vomiting, dizziness, increased liver enzymes, nausea and loss of appetite as the side effects of this medicine. Please consult your doctor if these side effects persist for a longer duration. You may be monitored with blood tests and liver function tests throughout your treatment.

Uses of Alben

• Parasitic worm infections

Side effects of Alben

• Vomiting
• Dizziness
• Increased liver enzymes
• Nausea
• Loss of appetite

How to use Alben

Take this medicine in the dose and duration as advised by your doctor. Swallow it as a whole. Do not chew, crush or break it. Alben may be taken with or without food, but it is better to take it at a fixed time.

How Alben works

Alben is an antiparasitic medication. It works by keeping the worms from absorbing sugar (glucose), thereby depleting their energy level. This causes the worms to die and treats your infection.

Indication

Echinococcosis Adult: <60 kg: 15 mg/kg daily in 2 divided doses. Max: 800 mg/day. ?60 kg: 400 mg bid. Admin dose for three 28-day cycles w/ a 14-day drug-free interval in between each cycle. Neurocysticercosis Adult: <60 kg: 15 mg/kg daily in 2 divided doses (max: 800 mg/day) for 8-30 days. ?60 kg: 400 mg bid for 8-30 days. Ancylostoma, Ascariasis, Hookworm, Trichostrongylus 400 mg PO once

Administration

Increased serum concentrations w/ dexamethasone, praziquantel and cimetidine. Decreased serum concentrations w/ aminoquinoline (antimalarials), carbamazepine, phenobarbital, and phenytoin.

Adult Dose

Monitor blood counts and liver function. Administer within 7 days of start of normal menstruation in women of childbearing age. Adequate nonhormonal contraceptive measures must be taken during and for 1 mth after therapy. Perform liver function tests and blood counts before and every 2 wk during high dose therapy of hydatid disease. Lactation: unknown, use caution.

Renal Dose

Albendazole sulfoxide (active metabolite), causes selective degeneration of cytoplasmic microtubules in intestinal and tegmental cells of intestinal helminths and larvae; glycogen is depleted, glucose uptake and cholinesterase secretion are impaired and desecratory substances accumulate intracellulary. ATP production decreases, causing energy depletion, immobilisation and worm death.

Contraindication

Child: PO 15 mg/kg/day (max 800 mg/day) q12h

Mode of Action

Should be taken with food.

Precaution

Helminthiasis, Echinococcosis, Neurocysticercosis, Enterobiasis, Ascariasis, Hookworm infections, Strongyloidiasis, Giardiasis, Filariasis

Pregnancy Category Note

>10% Headache,Neurocysticercosis (11%),Hydatid disease (1.3%),Abnormal LFT,Hydatid disease (15.6%),Neurocysticercosis (<1%) 1-10% Abdominal pain,Hydatid disease (6%),Nausea/vomiting,Hydatid disease (3.7%),Neurocysticercosis (6.2%),Dizziness/vertigo,Hydatid disease (1.2%),Neurocysticercosis (<1%),Increased intracranial pressure,Neurocysticercosis (1%),Meningeal signs,Neurocysticercosis (1%),Alopecia (reversible),Hydatid disease (1.6%),Neurocysticercosis (<1%),Fever,Hydatid disease (1%) <1% (selected) Rash,Urticaria,Agranulocytosis,Aplastic anemia,Bone marrow suppression,Granulocytopenia,Pancytopenia,Thrombocytopenia,Hepatitis,Acute liver failure,Acute renal failure Potentially Fatal: Bone marrow depression.

Interaction

Pregnancy and lactation. Neonates. Hypersensitivity, liver impairment.