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Albendazole (Albenza)

Antiparasiticprescriptionoral · inferred

Benzimidazole anthelmintic with broad-spectrum activity against nematodes, cestodes, and some protozoa. Prodrug rapidly converted to active albendazole sulfoxide via CYP3A4 and CYP1A2. Inhibits microtubule polymerization by binding parasite beta-tubulin with higher affinity than mammalian tubulin. Poor oral bioavailability (~5%) dramatically improved 5x by taking with fatty meal — always administer with food. Used for neurocysticercosis (with corticosteroids to reduce perilesional edema from dying cysts), hydatid disease, and mass deworming programs. Hepatotoxicity and bone marrow suppression with prolonged high-dose therapy.

Projected serum levels — 400 mg, twice daily

Albendazole (Albenza)
Albendazole (Albenza) modeled serum levels, 400 mg twice daily over 15 days Population-based pharmacokinetic estimate. Steady state reached after approximately 2 days. 0 12.5 25 37.5 50 Day 0 Day 4 Day 7 Day 11 Day 15 Time on a regular schedule ≈ steady state · day 2
Albendazole (Albenza) modeled serum levels with a loading dose of 736 mg, then 400 mg twice daily The first dose is larger so levels approach steady state faster. 0 12.5 25 37.5 50 Day 0 Day 4 Day 7 Day 11 Day 15 Time on a regular schedule

Maintenance schedule: 400 mg twice daily (oral).

Loading schedule: 736 mg on day 1, then 400 mg twice daily — reaching therapeutic levels sooner.

Modeled steady state after ~2 days: peak ≈ 30.1 mg, trough ≈ 16.5 mg body load. Population-based estimate over 15 days for a 400 mg dose at a 70 kg reference body mass — the interactive app scales curves to your doses, timing, and body mass.

Key facts

Category
Antiparasitic
Route modeled
Oral
Model confidence
inferred
Half-life
10 h
Common dose
400 mg
Suggested maximum
800 mg/day
Reference dose range
200–800 mg (single dose)
Suggested cadence
twice daily
Validated against
400 mg oral — Cmax 0.60 mg/L at 3 h

Documented interactions

  • contraindicated
    Efavirenz (Sustiva) + Albendazole (Albenza) CYP induction

    Efavirenz (Sustiva) inducer of CYP3A4 predicted to change Albendazole (Albenza) AUC by ~0.18x

  • contraindicated
    Rifampin + Albendazole (Albenza) CYP induction

    Rifampin inducer of CYP3A4 predicted to change Albendazole (Albenza) AUC by ~0.18x

  • danger
    Carbamazepine (Tegretol) + Albendazole (Albenza) CYP induction

    Carbamazepine (Tegretol) inducer of CYP3A4 predicted to change Albendazole (Albenza) AUC by ~0.28x

  • danger
    Clarithromycin (Biaxin) + Albendazole (Albenza) CYP inhibition

    Clarithromycin (Biaxin) mechanism_based of CYP3A4 predicted to change Albendazole (Albenza) AUC by ~2.39x

  • danger
    Dasatinib (Sprycel) + Albendazole (Albenza) CYP inhibition

    Dasatinib (Sprycel) time_dependent_inhibitor of CYP3A4 predicted to change Albendazole (Albenza) AUC by ~2.07x

  • danger
    Diltiazem + Albendazole (Albenza) CYP inhibition

    Diltiazem mechanism_based of CYP3A4 predicted to change Albendazole (Albenza) AUC by ~2.39x

Serum checks 92 modeled interaction pairings for albendazole (albenza) across your whole stack — absorption conflicts, enzyme inhibition, and nutrient depletion included.

Research behind this entry

  1. Albendazole: a review of anthelmintic efficacy and safety in humans Horton J · Parasitology, 2000 DOI

    Comprehensive review establishing albendazole's broad-spectrum efficacy against nematodes, cestodes, and protozoa across multiple geographic regions, with single-dose efficacy >95% for ascariasis and >90% for hookworm,…

  2. Soil-transmitted helminth infections: ascariasis, trichuriasis, and hookworm Bethony J et al. · The Lancet, 2006 DOI

    Landmark Lancet review documenting global burden of soil-transmitted helminths (>1 billion infected), role of albendazole and mebendazole in mass drug administration programs, and the evidence base for periodic…

2 published studies referenced in the app, each with a plain-language summary.