Albendazole — NZ Medication Guide
📋 Reviewed by a Registered Pharmacist NZ — This information is for general educational purposes only and does not replace professional medical advice. Always consult your doctor or pharmacist before starting, stopping, or changing any medication.
What is Albendazole?
Albendazole is a broad-spectrum antiparasitic medicine used to treat intestinal worm infections and tissue-invasive parasitic diseases. This medication is funded by Pharmac for intestinal parasites and systemic hydatid disease.
What is Albendazole Used For?
Albendazole is used for intestinal worm infections (threadworm/pinworm, roundworm, hookworm, whipworm, tapeworm), as well as tissue-invasive parasitic diseases including neurocysticercosis, hydatid disease, and giardiasis.
How Does Albendazole Work?
Albendazole inhibits the polymerisation of tubulin into microtubules, disrupting cellular processes that depend on microtubules in parasites — particularly glucose uptake, intracellular transport, and cell division. This depletes glycogen stores and causes autolytic disruption — paralysis and death of the parasite.
How to Take Albendazole
For intestinal worms (threadworm): single dose of 400 mg (repeat after 2 weeks if necessary). For hydatid disease: 400 mg twice daily with food (fat increases absorption) in cycles of 28 days on, 14 days off. For neurocysticercosis: 400 mg twice daily for 8–30 days (always with corticosteroids to reduce inflammation from dying cysts).
Common Side Effects of Albendazole
- Nausea and abdominal pain
- Headache
- Elevated liver enzymes (with prolonged use)
- Dizziness
Serious Side Effects — Seek Medical Attention
Contact your doctor or call 111 immediately if you experience any of the following:
- Hepatotoxicity (with prolonged use — monitor LFTs for systemic treatment)
- Bone marrow suppression (rare — with prolonged high-dose therapy)
- Alopecia (hair loss — with prolonged high-dose therapy)
- Teratogenicity (avoid in pregnancy)
Drug Interactions
Albendazole may interact with other medicines. Always inform your doctor and pharmacist of all medications you are taking. Key interactions include:
- Praziquantel (increases albendazole absorption — advantageous in hydatid treatment)
- Cimetidine (increases albendazole levels)
- Dexamethasone (given concurrently for neurocysticercosis — increases albendazole levels)
New Zealand Prescribing Information
Albendazole (200 mg tablets) is funded by Pharmac. A single 400 mg dose is used for intestinal worm infections in NZ. For systemic hydatid disease (Echinococcus granulosus — prevalent in rural NZ farming communities), prolonged high-dose albendazole treatment in cycles is used, often in combination with surgery or drainage procedures. Liver function monitoring is required for prolonged treatment.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can the whole family take albendazole for threadworm?
Yes — for threadworm (pinworm) infections, the entire household should be treated simultaneously, as the infection spreads easily between family members. A single dose of 400 mg is given to all family members over 2 years of age, repeated after 2 weeks. Strict hygiene (hand washing, changing underwear and bedding, cutting fingernails) is essential to prevent reinfection.
Is albendazole safe in pregnancy?
No — albendazole is teratogenic in animal studies and should not be used in the first trimester of pregnancy. Women of childbearing age should have a pregnancy test before starting prolonged albendazole therapy, and use effective contraception during treatment.
⚠️ Disclaimer: This page is for educational purposes only. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your doctor or a qualified health provider. In New Zealand, medication availability and funding may vary — check with Pharmac or your pharmacist for current information.
Reviewed by a Registered Pharmacist NZ
References & Further Information
The following New Zealand and international resources were used to inform this page: