What is Albenza: Uses, Warnings & Interactions

Updated May 14, 2025  •  Published Dec 30, 2020

Albenza overview

BRAND NAMES:

  • Albenza, Albenza

Generic Names:

  • Albendazole

Uses:

  • Treats infections caused by tapeworms, including hydatid disease and neurocysticercosis.

Therapeutic Classes:

  • Anthelmintic

Forms:

  • Tablet, Chewable Tablet

How it’s taken:

  • By mouth

What is Albenza used for?

What form(s) does Albenza come in

  • Tablet

  • Chewable Tablet

What are common Albenza doses?

  • Tablet 200MG

Common Albenza prescriptions

  • Albenza
    200mg tablet

How to take Albenza

  • Missed dose: Take a dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, wait until then and take a regular dose. Do not take extra medicine to make up for a missed dose.

  • Store the medicine in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light.

  • Oral routeIt is best to take this medicine with food or milk.

  • You may crush or chew the tablet and swallow it with water.

  • Your doctor will tell you how much medicine to use. Do not use more than directed.

  • Your doctor will tell you how much medicine to use. Do not use more than directed.

  • Oral routeIt is best to take this medicine with food or milk.

  • Store the medicine in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light.

  • You may crush or chew the tablet and swallow it with water.

  • Missed dose: Take a dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, wait until then and take a regular dose. Do not take extra medicine to make up for a missed dose.

What to do if you miss a dose of Albenza

Albenza contraindications

  • This medicine is not right for everyone. Do not use it if you had an allergic reaction to albendazole or similar medicines.

Albenza warnings

  • Your doctor will do lab tests at regular visits to check on the effects of this medicine. Keep all appointments.

  • Call your doctor if your symptoms do not improve or if they get worse.

  • Tell your doctor if you are breastfeeding, or if you have kidney disease, liver disease, bone marrow problems, or vision problems.

  • It is not safe to take this medicine during pregnancy. It could harm an unborn baby. Tell your doctor right away if you become pregnant. Use an effective form of birth control during treatment with this medicine and for at 3 days after your last dose. You should have a negative pregnancy test before you start treatment.

  • Neurocysticercosis: This medicine kills the tapeworms and could cause inflammation as your body heals. The inflammation might cause seizures, numbness or weakness, vision problems, headaches, or nerve problems. Your doctor may give you other medicines (including seizure medicine or steroids) to treat these problems.

  • This medicine may cause liver problems.

  • This medicine may make you bleed, bruise, or get infections more easily. Take precautions to prevent illness and injury. Wash your hands often.

  • Keep all medicine out of the reach of children. Never share your medicine with anyone.

Albenza interactions

  • Neurocysticercosis: This medicine kills the tapeworms, and this could cause inflammation as your body heals. The inflammation might cause seizures, numbness or weakness, trouble seeing, headaches, or similar nerve problems. Your doctor may give you other medicines to treat these problems.

  • Your doctor will do lab tests at regular visits to check on the effects of this medicine. Keep all appointments.

  • This medicine may make you bleed, bruise, or get infections more easily. Take precautions to prevent illness and injury. Wash your hands often.

  • This medicine may cause liver damage.

  • Tell your doctor if you are breastfeeding, or if you have kidney disease, liver disease, bone marrow problems, or vision problems.

  • Some medicines can affect how albendazole works. Tell your doctor if you are using cimetidine, dexamethasone, praziquantel, or theophylline.

  • Call your doctor if your symptoms do not improve or if they get worse.

  • Keep all medicine out of the reach of children. Never share your medicine with anyone.

Albenza side effects

Serious Side Effects

  • Fever, chills, cough, sore throat, body aches

  • Blistering, peeling, red skin rash

  • Unusual bleeding, bruising, or weakness

  • Allergic reaction: Itching or hives, swelling in your face or hands, swelling or tingling in your mouth or throat, chest tightness, trouble breathing

  • Dark urine or pale stools, nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, yellow skin or eyes

Less Serious Side Effects

  • Stomach pain

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