Albendazole is an antiparasitic and anthelmintic drug belonging to the same class of benzimidazoles. Likewise, Albendazole is part of the group of drugs that the World Health Organization considers essential thanks to being a broad-spectrum drug against various intestinal parasites, resulting in excellent efficacy for treating their infections.
These infections are known as parasitosis, an infection caused by parasites, which are living organisms that feed on a living being without benefit. Parasites cause many diseases, mainly in tropical and subtropical regions. These infections can be contracted by eating or drinking something contaminated, by sexual contact, or by the bite of an insect. Be that as it may, in the following FastlyHealarticle, we will explain how Albendazole is taken to deworm children and adults.
Table of Contents
Types of parasitosis
Parasites are classified according to the organism that produces the disease:
- Protozoa are the smallest, eukaryotic unicellular organisms; that is, they are composed only of a cell with small organs inside.
- Helminths: commonly called worms, eukaryotic, multicellular organisms, that is, they are composed of many cells and have organs inside, they have an elongated body and are generally soft; in turn, they are subclassified into trematodes, cestodes, and nematodes, according to the characteristics of your body and your lifestyle habits.
- Ectoparasites: are the parasites that live on the skin.
The clinical picture of parasitosis
Each parasitosis has different manifestations according to the organ that invades; in general, intestinal parasitosis, which is the most frequent, causes a series of nonspecific symptoms, although for prolonged periods :
- Diarrhea and vomiting, depending on the severity of the infection and is usually seen in the early stages.
- Poor digestion can be noticed as a feeling of stomach heaviness and discomfort.
- Inflammation of the abdomen is gradual; as there are more parasites, there is more inflammation, partly because of the space occupied and partly because they generate a lot of gas.
- Meteorism, or gases either in the form of belching or flatulence.
- Lack of appetite.
- Sickness.
- There may be abdominal pain from inflammation.
- Intestinal obstruction or constipation, especially in Ascaris lumbricoides infestations, since this parasite reproduces in high numbers and can block parts of the intestine.
- Weight loss and malnutrition because parasites feed on the person.
Other more specific manifestations can be seen according to the parasite involved in each case.
Diagnosis of parasitosis
The parasitosis diagnosis is made by the medical history of travel or stays in a risk area, mainly in Africa and Latin America. Once there is a suspicion of parasite infection, laboratory tests should be done,
- The most specific is a serial examination of 3 feces, Serial Coproparasitoscopic. A sample is taken to the laboratory every day, and there it is determined if there are parasites and what parasite it is.
- Hematic biometry, in which the activity of the white blood cells that are responsible for protecting our body is determined; if they are increased, especially the so-called eosinophils, it can support the diagnosis of parasitosis.
- In the case of intestinal blockages with suspected parasitosis, an ultrasound or abdominal X-ray is performed.
Treatment of parasitosis with Albendazole
Albendazole is a broad-spectrum anthelmintic drug (which kills worms); it acts against a wide range of parasites and is administered orally in tablets or syrup.
It is indicated in the treatment of several parasites, among these:
- Ascaris lumbricoides.
- Trichuris trichiura.
- Enterobius vermicularis.
- Ancylostoma duodenale.
- Necator americanus.
- Hymenolepis nana.
- All species of Taenia (sodium and saginata).
- Strongyloides stercoralis.
- Opisthorchis viverrini.
- Clonorchis Sinensis.
- Cutaneous larva migrans.
- Gnathostoma spinigerum.
- It also has activity against Giardia lamblia.
How to take Albendazole to deworm
Treatment with Albendazole to deworm should be started as soon as the infection is known; the dose must be determined by the doctor depending on the parasite that is reported by the clinical laboratory; in cases of intestinal diseases, a single drug intake is possible, or it can be extended up to two weeks, if there are brain infections, treatment should be given for more extended periods with other medications such as anticonvulsants.
Albendazole treatment for parasitosis can be administered to children and adults; the dose changes according to the weight in children; its administration is only contraindicated to children under one year of age, pregnant women, and women who are breastfeeding; this is because it has been shown in several animal studies that Albendazole can cause problems in the developing fetus, as well as infants.
Albendazole as a preventive measure
Frequent deworming campaigns with Albendazole are carried out in countries with a high risk of developing parasitosis. In general, a dose of Albendazole is administered every six months, which is usually 200 to 400 mg to each family member, which should be taken by all the people who live in the same place on the same day, thus avoiding reinfection at home. It is also advisable to deworm animals in the house regularly and wash all bedding such as sheets, cushions, and blankets to eliminate any possible parasites.
In foreigners who visit countries endemic to parasites, preventive measures are advised to avoid infections, such as eating in clean places, not drinking tap water, seeing the doctor, and frequently deworming.
Albendazole trade names
Some of the brand names for Albendazole are:
- In Colombia Amezolín, Obedozol, Labendazol or Zentel.
- In Spain, Eskazole.
- In Mexico Escazola, Zentel and Vermil plus.
- In Paraguay, Lambizol.
- En Argentina Nematel, Vastus o Vermizole.
- In Chile, Vermoil or Zentel.
This article is merely informative, at FastlyHeal .com we do not have the power to prescribe medical treatments or make any diagnosis. We invite you to see a doctor in the case of presenting any condition or discomfort.
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I am a Surgeon with a diploma in comprehensive ultrasound and surgical care residency, an area I am specializing in. During the exercise of my profession, I have realized the need for patients to know the diseases they suffer, and I can tell you that a large part of their complications is due to a lack of information. Being a health web writer allows me to transmit my experience, without borders, to all those readers eager for knowledge, educate them in the prevention of diseases and promote a healthy lifestyle.