1 May 2026Oral drugs
Albendazole oral
Albendazole dosing guidance for common helminth infections, including ascariasis, trichuriasis, strongyloidiasis, and trichinellosis.
Prescription under medical supervision
This guide page is for structured reference only and does not replace a clinician, pharmacist, or emergency review. Dose choice, route choice, interactions, and safety decisions still need professional judgment.
Therapeutic action
Anthelminthic.
Indications
- Ascariasis (Ascaris lumbricoides), enterobiasis (Enterobius vermicularis), and hookworm infections (Ancylostoma duodenale, Necator americanus).
- Trichuriasis (Trichuris trichiura) and strongyloidiasis (Strongyloides stercoralis).
- Trichinellosis (Trichinella species).
Forms and strengths
- 400 mg tablet.
Dose and duration
Ascariasis, enterobiasis, hookworm infections
- Child over 6 months and adult: 400 mg single dose.
- Child over 6 months but under 10 kg: 200 mg single dose.
- In the event of enterobiasis, a second dose may be given after 2 to 4 weeks.
Trichuriasis, strongyloidiasis
- Child over 6 months and adult: 400 mg once daily for 3 days.
- Child over 6 months but under 10 kg: 200 mg once daily for 3 days.
Trichinellosis
- Child over 2 years: 5 mg/kg 2 times daily for 10 to 15 days.
- Adult: 400 mg 2 times daily for 10 to 15 days.
Contra-indications, adverse effects, precautions
- Do not administer to children under 6 months.
- Do not administer to patients with ocular cysticercosis.
- May cause gastrointestinal disturbances, headache, and dizziness.
- May cause neurological disorders including headache and seizures in patients with undiagnosed neuro cysticercosis.
- Pregnancy: avoid during the first trimester.
- Breast-feeding: no contra-indication.
Source
MSF Essential drugs practical guidelines (January 2026)
This page reproduces the structured reference information for this batch while leaving out the Storage and Remarks sections.
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