When working with Albendazole, a broad‑spectrum antiparasitic medication used to treat a variety of worm infections. Also known as ABZ, it belongs to the benzimidazole class and is trusted by clinicians worldwide for both human and veterinary deworming.
The benzimidazole class, a group of compounds that interfere with microtubule formation in parasites includes drugs like mebendazole and thiabendazole. These agents share a common mechanism: they bind to the parasite’s β‑tubulin, preventing cell division and leading to parasite death. Because of this shared action, they often show cross‑resistance, making careful selection important in areas where treatment failures are reported. The class is prized for its low toxicity in humans, which is why albendazole can be given as a single dose for many infections yet still remain safe for children over two years old.
soil‑transmitted helminths, worms such as Ascaris, hookworm, and Trichuris that thrive in contaminated soil are the primary targets of albendazole in public‑health programs. The World Health Organization (WHO), the global health agency that sets deworming guidelines recommends a single 400 mg dose for school‑aged children in endemic regions, a regimen that has cut infection rates dramatically in several countries. For more stubborn infections like neurocysticercosis or hydatid disease, the drug is taken for longer courses (up to 28 days) and often combined with steroids or other antiparasitics to improve outcomes.
Safety-wise, albendazole is generally well tolerated. Common side effects include mild abdominal discomfort, transient headaches, and occasional liver enzyme elevation, especially with prolonged use. Rarely, serious reactions such as allergic rash or blood dyscrasias can occur, so monitoring is advised for high‑risk patients. Resistance is an emerging concern in both human and livestock settings; farms that rely heavily on albendazole may see reduced efficacy, prompting rotation with other drug classes. In veterinary medicine, the same drug protects dogs, cats, and livestock from gastrointestinal worms, supporting animal health and preventing zoonotic transmission back to humans.
Below you’ll find a curated list of articles that dive deeper into dosing tables, side‑effect management, WHO recommendations, and real‑world case studies. Whether you’re a patient, a pharmacist, or a health‑program manager, these resources will give you the practical details you need to use Albendazole effectively and safely.
