Albendazole

Albendazole
Clinical data
Trade namesAlbenza, Eskazole, Valbazen, Zentel, others
AHFS/Drugs.comMonograph
MedlinePlusa610019
License data
Pregnancy
category
  • AU: D
Routes of
administration		By mouth
ATC code
Legal status
Legal status
  • AU: S4 (Prescription only)
  • CA: ℞-only
  • UK: POM (Prescription only)
  • US: ℞-only (for humans; veterinary suspension and paste are both OTC)[1]
Pharmacokinetic data
Bioavailability<5%[2]
Protein binding70%[2]
MetabolismLiver[2]
Elimination half-life8–12 hours[2]
ExcretionBile duct (humans)
Kidney (ruminants)
Identifiers
CAS Number
PubChem CID
DrugBank
ChemSpider
UNII
KEGG
ChEBI
ChEMBL
NIAID ChemDB
CompTox Dashboard (EPA)
ECHA InfoCard100.053.995 Edit this at Wikidata
Chemical and physical data
FormulaC12H15N3O2S
Molar mass265.33 g·mol−1
3D model (JSmol)
Melting point208 to 210 °C (406 to 410 °F)
  • CCCSc2ccc1nc(NC(=O)OC)[nH]c1c2
  • InChI=1S/C12H15N3O2S/c1-3-6-18-8-4-5-9-10(7-8)14-11(13-9)15-12(16)17-2/h4-5,7H,3,6H2,1-2H3,(H2,13,14,15,16) checkY
  • Key:HXHWSAZORRCQMX-UHFFFAOYSA-N checkY
  (verify)

Albendazole is a broad-spectrum antihelmintic and antiprotozoal agent of the benzimidazole type.[3] It is used for the treatment of a variety of intestinal parasite infections, including ascariasis, pinworm infection, hookworm infection, trichuriasis, strongyloidiasis, taeniasis, clonorchiasis, opisthorchiasis, cutaneous larva migrans, giardiasis, and gnathostomiasis, among other diseases.[3]

Common side effects include nausea, abdominal pain, and headache.[3] Rare but potentially serious side effects include bone marrow suppression which usually improves on discontinuing the medication. Liver inflammation has been reported and those with prior liver problems are at greater risk.[3] It is pregnancy category D in Australia, meaning it may cause harm if taken by pregnant women.[3][4]

Albendazole was developed in 1975. [5] It is on the World Health Organization's List of Essential Medicines.[6]

  1. ^ Cite error: The named reference plumb was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  2. ^ a b c d Cite error: The named reference MSR was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  3. ^ a b c d e "Albendazole". Drugs.com. The American Society of Health-System Pharmacists. Archived from the original on September 23, 2015. Retrieved August 18, 2015.
  4. ^ Australian Government (March 3, 2014). "Prescribing medicines in pregnancy database". Archived from the original on April 8, 2014. Retrieved April 22, 2014.
  5. ^ Neonatal Formulary: Drug Use in Pregnancy and the First Year of Life. John Wiley & Sons. 2014. p. 64. ISBN 9781118819593. Archived from the original on 2017-09-08.
  6. ^ World Health Organization (2021). World Health Organization model list of essential medicines: 22nd list (2021). Geneva: World Health Organization. hdl:10665/345533. WHO/MHP/HPS/EML/2021.02.