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Albendazole

Pronounced

"al-BEN-da-zole"

Uses

This medication is used to treat certain tapeworm infections (such as neurocysticercosis and hydatid disease).

Other Uses

This section contains uses of this drug that are not listed in the approved professional labeling for the drug but that may be prescribed by your health care professional. Use this drug for a condition that is listed in this section only if it has been so prescribed by your health care professional.

This drug may also be used for other types of worm infections.

How to Use This Medication

Take this medication by mouth with meals as directed by your doctor, usually 1 to 2 times daily. If you or your child have trouble swallowing tablets, you may crush or chew your dose and take it with water.

For some conditions (such as hydatid disease), your doctor may direct you to take this medication in a treatment cycle (for example, twice daily with meals for 28 days then stopping the medication for 2 weeks). Carefully follow your doctor's instructions.

The dosage is based on your weight, medical condition, and response to treatment.

Use this medication regularly to get the most benefit from it. To help you remember, take it at the same time(s) each day. If your doctor directs you to take this medication in a treatment cycle, it may be helpful to mark the calendar with a reminder of when you need to restart the medication.

Continue to take this medication until the full prescribed amount is finished, even if symptoms disappear after a few days. Stopping the medication too early may result in a return of the infection.

Other medications (such as corticosteroids, anti-seizure medications) may also be prescribed for your current condition. Take those medications exactly as directed by your doctor.

Avoid eating grapefruit or drinking grapefruit juice while using this medication unless your doctor or pharmacist says you may do so safely. Grapefruit can increase the chance of side effects with this medicine. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more details.

Tell your doctor if your condition lasts or gets worse.