Albendazole for the Treatment of Pinworms
Examples
Albendazole is available by prescription only and comes in
tablet form.
How It Works
Albendazole kills both immature worms and
adult
pinworms.
Why It Is Used
Albendazole is used for infections
caused by
parasites. Albendazole may be used in cases of pinworm
infections that cannot be treated with other pinworm medicines. It is not the
medicine usually first used to treat pinworm infections.
Albendazole is not recommended for use in pregnant women or in people
with poorly functioning livers.
How Well It Works
In most cases, albendazole gets rid
of pinworm infection.
This medicine may be used in special cases of
pinworm infection where the person cannot be treated with other pinworm
medicines, such as when a person has side effects from other medicines.
Side Effects
Side effects of albendazole are rare but
may include:
- Fever, rash, or itching.
- Sore
throat, fever, unusual tiredness, and weakness (with high
doses).
- Dizziness, headache.
- Abdominal pain, diarrhea,
nausea, vomiting.
- Thinning of hair (very rare). Hair does grow back
after medicine is stopped.
See Drug Reference for a full list of side effects. (Drug
Reference is not available in all systems.)
What To Think About
If you are pregnant or
breast-feeding, do not take albendazole without first consulting with your
doctor.
Pregnancy should be avoided for at least a month following
albendazole use.
If you have liver disease or a poorly functioning
liver, talk with your doctor before using this medicine.
Treatment
with albendazole needs to be repeated about 2 weeks after the initial treatment
to kill any worms that have hatched.
It is best to take
albendazole with a meal.
Complete the new medication information form (PDF)(What is a PDF document?) to help you understand this medication.
Credits
|
By
|
Healthwise Staff |
|
Primary Medical Reviewer
|
Kathleen Romito, MD - Family Medicine |
|
Specialist Medical Reviewer
|
Susan C. Kim, MD - Pediatrics |
|
Last Revised
|
September 2, 2010 |
Last Revised:
September 2, 2010
