Albenza
"Sometimes the juice ain't worth the squeeze... especially when combining grapefruit with medicines.
While it can be part of a balanced and nutritious diet, grapefruit can have serious consequences when taken with certain medications. Cu"...
Albenza
INDICATIONS
ALBENZA (albendazole) is indicated for the treatment of the following infections:
Neurocysticercosis
ALBENZA (albendazole) is indicated for the treatment of parenchymal neurocysticercosis due to active lesions caused by larval forms of the pork tapeworm, Taenia solium.
Lesions considered responsive to albendazole therapy appear as nonenhancing cysts with no surrounding edema on contrast-enhanced computerized tomography. Clinical studies in patients with lesions of this type demonstrate a 74% to 88% reduction in number of cysts; 40% to 70% of albendazole-treated patients showed resolution of all active cysts.
Hydatid Disease
ALBENZA (albendazole) is indicated for the treatment of cystic hydatid disease of the liver, lung, and peritoneum, caused by the larval form of the dog tapeworm, Echinococcus granulosus.
This indication is based on combined clinical studies which demonstrated non-infectious cyst contents in approximately 80-90% of patients given ALBENZA (albendazole) for 3 cycles of therapy of 28 days each (see DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION). Clinical cure (disappearance of cysts) was seen in approximately 30% of these patients, and improvement (reduction in cyst diameter of ≥ 25%) was seen in an additional 40%.
NOTE: When medically feasible, surgery is considered the treatment of choice for hydatid disease. When administering ALBENZA (albendazole) in the pre- or post-surgical setting, optimal killing of cyst contents is achieved when 3 courses of therapy have been given.
NOTE: The efficacy of albendazole in the therapy of alveolar hydatid disease caused by Echinococcus multilocularis has not been clearly demonstrated in clinical studies.
DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION
Dosing of ALBENZA (albendazole) will vary, depending upon which of the following parasitic infections is being treated. In young children, the tablets should be crushed or chewed and swallowed with a drink of water.
| 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) | ||
| NOTE: When administering ALBENZA in the pre- or post-surgical setting, optimal killing of cyst contents is achieved when 3 courses of therapy have been given. | |||
| Neurocysticercosis | 60 kg or greater | 400 mg twice daily, with meals | 8-30 days |
| less than 60 kg | 15 mg/kg/day given in divided doses twice daily with meals (maximum total daily dose 800 mg) | ||
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.
HOW SUPPLIED
ALBENZA (albendazole) is supplied as 200 mg, white to off-white, circular, biconvex, bevel-edged, film-coated TILTAB tablets in bottles of 112.
NDC 0007-5500-40 Bottles of 112
Store between 20° and 25°C (68° and 77°F).
GlaxoSmithKline, Research Triangle Park, NC 27709. Updated: 2009
Last reviewed on RxList: 11/9/2009
This monograph has been modified to include the generic and brand name in many instances.
Additional Albenza Information
Albenza - User Reviews
Albenza User Reviews
Now you can gain knowledge and insight about a drug treatment with Patient Discussions.
Here is a collection of user reviews for the medication Albenza sorted by most helpful.
Report Problems to the Food and Drug Administration
You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit the FDA MedWatch website or call 1-800-FDA-1088.
Women's Health
Find out what women really need.
Updated & New
