Brands, Medical Use, Clinical Data
Drug Category
- Anthelmintics
- Anticestodal Agents
- Antiprotozoal Agents
Dosage Forms
- Suspension
- Tablets (200mg)
Brands / Synonyms
Albenza; Valbazen
Indications
For the treatment of parenchymal neurocysticercosis due to active lesions caused by larval forms of the pork tapeworm, Taenia solium and for the treatment of cystic hydatid disease of the liver, lung, and peritoneum, caused by the larval form of the dog tapeworm, Echinococcus granulosus.
Pharmacology
Albendazole is a broad-spectrum anthelmintic. The principal mode of action for albendazole is by its inhibitory effect on tubulin polymerization which results in the loss of cytoplasmic microtubules.
Mechanism of Action
Albendazole causes degenerative alterations in the tegument and intestinal cells of the worm by binding to the colchicine-sensitive site of tubulin, thus inhibiting its polymerization or assembly into microtubules. The loss of the cytoplasmic microtubules leads to impaired uptake of glucose by the larval and adult stages of the susceptible parasites, and depletes their glycogen stores. Degenerative changes in the endoplasmic reticulum, the mitochondria of the germinal layer, and the subsequent release of lysosomes result in decreased production of adenosine triphosphate (ATP), which is the energy required for the survival of the helminth. Due to diminished energy production, the parasite is immobilized and eventually dies.
Absorption
Poorly absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract due to its low aqueous solubility. Oral bioavailability appears to be enhanced when coadministered with a fatty meal (estimated fat content 40 g)
Toxicity
Symptoms of overdose include elevated liver enzymes, headaches, hair loss, low levels of white blood cells (neutropenia), fever, and itching.
Biotrnasformation / Drug Metabolism
Hepatic. Rapidly converted in the liver to the primary metabolite, albendazole sulfoxide, which is further metabolized to albendazole sulfone and other primary oxidative metabolites that have been identified in human urine.
Contraindications
Albenza (albendazole) is contraindicated in patients with known hypersensitivity to the benzimidazole class of
compounds or any components of Albenza.
Drug Interactions
Dexamethasone: Steady-state trough concentrations of albendazole sulfoxide were about 56% higher when 8 mg
dexamethasone was coadministered with each dose of albendazole (15 mg/kg/day) in eight neurocysticercosis
patients.
Praziquantel: In the fed state, praziquantel (40 mg/kg) increased mean maximum plasma concentration and
area under the curve of albendazole sulfoxide by about 50% in healthy subjects (n=10) compared with a separate group
of subjects (n=6) given albendazole alone. Mean T max and mean plasma elimination half-life of albendazole
sulfoxide were unchanged. The pharmacokinetics of praziquantel were unchanged following coadministration with
albendazole (400 mg).
Cimetidine: Albendazole sulfoxide concentrations in bile and cystic fluid were increased (about 2-fold) in
hydatid cyst patients treated with cimetidine (10 mg/kg/day) (n=7) compared with albendazole (20 mg/kg/day) alone
(n=12). Albendazole sulfoxide plasma concentrations were unchanged 4 hours after dosing.
Theophylline: The pharmacokinetics of theophylline (aminophylline 5.8 mg/kg infused over 20 minutes) were
unchanged following a single oral dose of albendazole (400 mg) in 6 healthy subjects.
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