[{"Title":"Indications","Description":"Albendazole is indicated for the treatment of Helminthiasis, Echinococcosis (hydatid disease), Neurocysticercosis, Enterobiasis, Ascariasis, Hookworm infections, Strongyloidiasis, Giardiasis, and Filariasis."},{"Title":"Adult Dosage","Description":"For Echinococcosis: Patients <60 kg receive 15 mg/kg daily in 2 divided doses (Max: 800 mg/day); patients ≥60 kg receive 400 mg twice daily. Treatment consists of three 28-day cycles with a 14-day drug-free interval between cycles. For Neurocysticercosis: Patients <60 kg receive 15 mg/kg daily in 2 divided doses (Max: 800 mg/day) for 8-30 days; patients ≥60 kg receive 400 mg twice daily for 8-30 days. For Ancylostoma, Ascariasis, Hookworm, and Trichostrongylus: A single dose of 400 mg PO."},{"Title":"Child Dosage","Description":"The recommended pediatric dose is 15 mg/kg/day (maximum 800 mg/day) administered every 12 hours orally."},{"Title":"Administration and Precautions","Description":"Should be taken with food. In women of childbearing age, initiate treatment within 7 days of the start of normal menstruation and use adequate nonhormonal contraception during and for one month after therapy. Monitor blood counts and liver function tests before treatment and every 2 weeks during high-dose therapy for hydatid disease."},{"Title":"Mechanism of Action","Description":"The active metabolite, albendazole sulfoxide, causes selective degeneration of cytoplasmic microtubules in the intestinal and tegmental cells of helminths. This leads to glycogen depletion, impaired glucose uptake, and decreased ATP production, resulting in energy depletion, immobilization, and death of the parasite."},{"Title":"Contraindications and Side Effects","Description":"Contraindicated in pregnancy, lactation, neonates, and patients with hypersensitivity or severe liver impairment. Side effects include headache (>10%), abnormal liver function tests (15.6% in hydatid disease), abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, dizziness, and reversible alopecia. Potentially fatal bone marrow suppression (leukopenia, pancytopenia, thrombocytopenia) and acute liver failure have been reported."},{"Title":"Drug Interactions","Description":"Serum concentrations are increased when used with dexamethasone, praziquantel, and cimetidine. Concentrations may be decreased by antimalarials (aminoquinolines), carbamazepine, phenobarbital, and phenytoin."}]
