Therapeutic Indications
Enterobiasis, Ascariasis, Ancylostomiasis, Trichuriasis, Strongyloidiasis,
Taeniasis, Capillariasis, Neurocysticercosis, Trichostrongyliasis, Hydatid
disease (Echinococcus granulosus), and Filariasis, in combination with other
anthelmintics.
Dosage and Administration
Enterobiasis, Ascariasis, Ancylostomiasis, or Trichuriasis:
Adults and Children above 2 years of age:400 mg as a single dose.
Children up to 2 years of age:200 mg as a single dose. The dose may be
repeated in 3 weeks.
Taeniasis, Strongyloidiasis:400 mg/day for 3 days.
Capillariasis:400 mg/day for 10 days.
Neurocysticercosis:15 mg/kg/day for 30 days.
Trichostrongyliasis:400 mg as a single dose.
Hydatid disease:
Patients over 60 kg body weight:
400 mg twice daily for 28 days followed by 2 weeks drug-free interval. Dose may
be repeated for 2-3 cycles and if the case is inoperable, up to 5 cycles.
Patients under 60 kg body weight:
10-15 mg/kg/day for 28 days.
Filariasis:400 mg with diethylcarbamazine 6 mg/kg given once. This
regimen is given every year for 4-6 years.
ALZENTAL should be taken with meals.
Shake well ALZENTAL Suspension before use.
Contraindications
Hypersensitivity to the product.
Pregnancy.
Warnings and Precautions
Patients receiving high doses of ALZENTAL should be supervised closely with
blood counts and liver function being monitored.
Drug Interactions
Plasma concentrations of albendazole sulphoxide have been increased by
concomitant administration of dexamethasone , praziquantel or cimetidine.
Undesirable Effects
Transient abdominal pain, diarrhoea, headache, dizziness, elevated
transaminases, leukopenia, and thrombocytopenia.
Pharmacological Properties
ALZENTAL is a broad-spectrum anthelmintic with activity against most nematodes
and some cestodes.
ALZENTAL acts by destruction of cytoplasmic microtubules in the worm's
intestinal or absorptive cells and inhibition of glucose uptake and other
nutrients in susceptible helminths, resulting in death of the worm.
Pharmacokinetics:
Albendazole is poorly absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract, and is rapidly
metabolized in the liver to the active albendazole sulphoxide, which is
approximately 70% bound to plasma protein. Peak plasma concentrations occur in
2-5 hours after dosing. It has a plasma half-life of about 8.5 hours, and is
primarly eliminated in the bile.
Packaging
ALZENTAL Tablets:Box containing 1 blister of 2 tablets.
ALZENTAL Suspension:Bottle of 20 ml.