INTRODUCTION
ALU A 400MG TABLET contains Albendazole which belongs to the group of medicines called Anthelmintic drugs. It is used to treat parasitic worm infections in the body. It is highly effective in killing pinworms, tapeworms, hook worms, threadworms, roundworms and whipworms in the body and provides relief from various intestinal and systemic infections such as enterobiasis, ancylostomiasis, hymenolepsiasis, strongyloidiasis, ascariasis, trichuriasis and giardiasis.
ALU A 400MG TABLET can also treat worm infections of the brain (such as parenchymal neurocysticercosis) and liver, lung or lining of stomach walls (such as Chinese liver fluke disease, cystic hydatid disease) which are caused by larval form of tape worms.
Take ALU A 400MG TABLET for the stipulated duration instructed by your doctor even if you feel better during the midway of the therapy. Failing to complete the full course of the therapy or skipping doses in between the therapy may not result in adequate infection control.
Before taking ALU A 400MG TABLET inform your doctor if you have any liver or kidney problems. ALU A 400MG TABLET is not recommended for use in pregnant or breastfeeding women due to increased risk of side effects.
Both men and women taking ALU A 400MG TABLET must use proper safety measures (such as usage of condom or contraceptive pills) to avoid pregnancy while taking ALU A 400MG TABLET and up to 3-6 months following discontinuation of the therapy.
The most common side effects of taking ALU A 400MG TABLET are stomach pain, nausea, vomiting, dizziness, headache and increased liver enzymes. Contact your doctor if any of these side effects worsen.
USES OF ALU A 400MG TABLET
- Treats parasitic worm infections
HOW ALU A 400MG TABLET WORKS
ALU A 400MG TABLET is an antiparasitic medication. It binds to the parasite cell and disrupts their cell structure. It also collapses their metabolism and restricts them from absorbing sugar (glucose) which is essential for their growth and multiplication. This depletes the energy level of the parasite and causes cell death which in turn reduces the severity of the infection.
DIRECTIONS FOR USE
Take ALU A 400MG TABLET as advised by your physician.
For Tablet: Swallow the medicine with a glass of water. Do not crush or chew the medicine.
For Chewable Tablet: Place the medicine in your mouth and chew them thoroughly. Do not swallow the medicine without chewing.
Your doctor will decide the correct dose and duration of therapy for you depending upon your age, body weight and severity of the infection.
Do not stop taking ALU A 400MG TABLET once your symptoms subside. It is important to complete the full course of therapy with ALU A 400MG TABLET to achieve better infection control.
SIDE EFFECTS OF ALU A 400MG TABLET
COMMON
- headache, dizziness
- stomach pain, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea
- increased liver enzymes
- hair loss
- fever during the initial days of the therapy
UNCOMMON
- skin rash with redness and itching
- signs of low WBC count (such as flu-like symptoms)
RARE
Stop taking ALU A 400MG TABLET and contact your doctor immediately if you experience any of the following side effects such as:
- severe skin reactions (such as widespread skin rash, blistering, peeling or bleeding on any part of the skin with fever, chills, enlarged lymph nodes and malaise or pink or reddish skin lesions on palms or soles)
- severe headache with nausea and vomiting, fits and vision problems
- signs of liver problems (such as yellowing of the skin or eyes, dark colored urine and/or pale stools, nausea, weakness, fever)
HOW TO MANAGE SIDE EFFECTS
Nausea or vomiting:
Take ALU A 400MG TABLET with, or just after meals. Stick to simple meals. Avoid eating oil rich or spicy foods. Please consult your doctor immediately if you experience severe nausea and vomiting.
Diarrhea:
Drink plenty of fluids, such as water or fruit juice to keep yourself hydrated. Consuming ORS can also be beneficial. Do not consume any medicine on your own without consulting your doctor. If your diarrhea worsens, contact your doctor immediately.
Headache:
Rest and relax. Keep yourself hydrated by drinking plenty of fluids such as water or electrolytes. Applying a pain-relieving balm on your forehead can be beneficial. Do not consume excessive alcohol, as it could aggravate your headache. Consult your doctor if your headache worsens.
Dizziness:
Try to rest and relax. Get enough sleep. Avoid driving or operating any tools or machines completely while you are feeling dizzy. Do not consume excessive alcohol, as it could aggravate your dizziness. Consult your doctor if your dizziness worsens.
WARNING & PRECAUTIONS
PREGNANCY
ALU A 400MG TABLET is not recommended for use in pregnant women. Therefore, inform your doctor before taking ALU A 400MG TABLET if you are pregnant or planning to become pregnant. Women of childbearing potential must use a suitable contraceptive method to avoid pregnancy while undergoing therapy with ALU A 400MG TABLET and for until 6 months after discontinuation of the therapy.
BREASTFEEDING
ALU A 400MG TABLET is not recommended for use in breast-feeding women. Therefore, consult your doctor before taking it.
DRIVING AND USING MACHINES
Do not drive or operate any heavy tools or machines if you experience dizziness after taking ALU A 400MG TABLET.
KIDNEY
ALU A 400MG TABLET should be used with caution in patients with kidney diseases. Therefore, consult your doctor before taking it.
LIVER
ALU A 400MG TABLET should be used with caution in patients with liver diseases. Therefore, consult your doctor for before taking it.
ALLERGY
Do not take ALU A 400MG TABLET if you are allergic to albendazole.
OTHERS
Before taking ALU A 400MG TABLET, inform your doctor if you:
- have any type of sugar intolerance
- are a man planning to father a child
Use in Pediatrics:
ALU A 400MG TABLET should be used in children and adolescents (aged above 6 years) only if prescribed by the physician. It is not recommended for use in children aged below 6 years. Therefore, consult your doctor for advice.
Use in Geriatrics:
ALU A 400MG TABLET should be used with caution in elderly patients (aged above 65 years). Therefore, consult your doctor before taking it.
INTERACTIONS
A. Drug - Drug interactions:
Before taking ALU A 400MG TABLET, inform your doctor if you are taking any of the following medicines such as:
- praziquantel (a medicine used to treat parasitic infection of the blood)
- ritonavir (a medicine used to treat HIV infection)
- medicines used to treat epilepsy (Ex. phenytoin, carbamazepine, phenobarbital)
Over dosage:
If you or anyone else accidentally took more ALU A 400MG TABLET, consult your doctor immediately or visit the nearby hospital.
SYNOPSIS
| Drug | : | Albendazole |
| Pharmacological Category | : | Benzimidazole carbamate |
| Therapeutic Indication | : | Parasitic Worm Infection |
| Dosage Forms | : | Tablet, Chewable Tablet, Liquid, Syrup, Oral suspension, Suspension, Kit |
MORE INFORMATION
- Keep ALU A 400MG TABLET out of reach of children
- Store ALU A 400MG TABLET at room temperature
FAQs ABOUT ALU A 400MG TABLET
What is the use of ALU A 400MG TABLET?
ALU A 400MG TABLET is an antiparasitic medicine used to treat parasitic worm infections in the body. It is effective in treating both intestinal and systemic worm infections.
How ALU A 400MG TABLET works in my body?
ALU A 400MG TABLET is an antiparasitic medication. It binds to the parasite cell and disrupts their cell structure. It also collapses their metabolism and restricts them from absorbing sugar (glucose) which is essential for their growth and multiplication. This depletes the energy level of the parasite and causes cell death which in turn reduces the severity of the infection.
Can ALU A 400MG TABLET be used in patients with kidney problems?
ALU A 400MG TABLET should be used with caution in patients with kidney problems. Therefore, consult your doctor before taking it.
For how long should I take ALU A 400MG TABLET?
Take ALU A 400MG TABLET for the stipulated duration as prescribed by your doctor. Do not skip the medicine or stop taking it on your own as it may cause the infection to reappear.
Can ALU A 400MG TABLET be given to pregnant women?
ALU A 400MG TABLET is not recommended for use in pregnant women due to increased risk of side effects. Therefore, inform your doctor before taking ALU A 400MG TABLET if you are pregnant or planning to become pregnant.
What precautions should be followed while taking ALU A 400MG TABLET?
Before taking ALU A 400MG TABLET inform your doctor if you have any liver or kidney problems. You must also inform your doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding before taking ALU A 400MG TABLET. Regularly visit your doctor for check-up and perform all medical tests recommended by your doctor without fail. Take ALU A 400MG TABLET for the stipulated duration recommended by your doctor to achieve better results. Failing to do so may cause the symptom to re-occur.
What are the common side effects of taking ALU A 400MG TABLET?
The most common side effects of taking ALU A 400MG TABLET are stomach pain, nausea, vomiting, dizziness, headache and increased liver enzymes. Contact your doctor if any of these side effects worsen.
Can I stop taking ALU A 400MG TABLET once my symptoms subside?
Do not stop taking ALU A 400MG TABLET once your symptoms subside. It is important to take the full course of ALU A 400MG TABLET to achieve better results. Failing to complete the full course of the therapy or skipping doses in between the therapy may not result in adequate infection control. It may also cause your symptoms to reappear.
Can the use of ALU A 400MG TABLET cause diarrhea?
ALU A 400MG TABLET may cause diarrhea in some individuals. If you experience diarrhea, drink plenty of fluids, such as water or fruit juice to keep yourself hydrated. Consuming ORS can also be beneficial. Do not consume any medicine on your own without consulting your doctor. If your diarrhea worsens contact your doctor immediately.
What should I do if I forgot to take a dose of ALU A 400MG TABLET?
If you forgot to take a dose of ALU A 400MG TABLET, take it as soon as you remember. However, if it is time to take the next dose, skip the missed dose and take the next one at regular times. Do not take a double dose to compensate the forgotten dose.
Can the use of ALU A 400MG TABLET cause hair loss?
ALU A 400MG TABLET may cause moderate and transient hair loss in some individuals. This is usually temporary and disappears once therapy is stopped. However, consult your doctor if it bothers you.
Can ALU A 400MG TABLET kill the eggs of the worm?
ALU A 400MG TABLET is not effective in destroying the eggs of the worms. It is effective only in destroying the larva and adult worms. Consult your doctor for advice.
Is ALU A 400MG TABLET an antibiotic?
ALU A 400MG TABLET is an antiparasitic medicine. It is used to treat parasitic worm infections in the body.
Can ALU A 400MG TABLET be used in children?
ALU A 400MG TABLET should be used in children and adolescents (aged 6 years or above) only if prescribed by the physician. It is strictly not recommended for use in children aged below 6 years. Therefore, consult your doctor for advice.
REFERENCES
1. KD. Tripathi. Anthelmintic Drugs. Essentials of medical pharmacology. Seventh Edition. 2013. Page – 850.
2. Kashif Malik, Anterpreet Dua. Albendazole. NIH. National Library of Medicine. National Center for Biotechnology Information. StatPearls [Internet]. [Revised in May 2022] [Accessed on 7th October 2022] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK553082/
3. Mian Zi Tee, Soo Ching Lee, Yi Xian Er, Nan Jiun Yap, Romano Ngui, Alice V. Easton, Vinnie Wei Yin Siow, Kee Seong Ng, Christopher Chiong Meng Boey, Kek Heng Chua, Ken Cadwell, P’ng Loke, Yvonne Ai Lian Lim. Efficacy of triple dose albendazole treatment for soil-transmitted helminth infections. PLOS ONE. August 2022. [Accessed on 7th October 2022]. https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0272821
4. GlaxoSmithKline South Africa (Pty) Ltd. ZENTEL Tablets 200 mg and Suspension 20 mg/ml. [Revised in October 2015]. [Accessed on 7th October 2022]. https://gskpro.com/content/dam/global/hcpportal/en_ZM/PI/Zentel-20-ml-sus-and-200-mg-tablets-GDS23.pdf
5. GlaxoSmithKline. Zentel. [Revised in May 2014] [Accessed on 7th October 2022]. https://gskpro.com/content/dam/global/hcpportal/en_SG/products/PDF/zentel/zentel.pdf
6. Bendex Tablets. Bendex Suspension Albendazole 200mg. Ciplamed.com. Cipla Ltd. [Revised in November 2013]. [Accessed on 7th October 2022]. https://www.ciplamed.com/content/bendex-tablets
7. Gracure Pharmaceuticals Ltd. Verzol Suspension. [Revised in January 2019] [Accessed on 23rd April 2022]. https://exphar.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/Verzol-oral-suspension-Leaflet-EN.pdf
8. BLISZOLE 400. Ghana Food and Drugs Authority (FDA Ghana). [Accessed on 7th October 2022]. https://fdaghana.gov.gh/img/smpc/Bliszole%20400mg%20Tablets%20(Albendazole).pdf
USEFUL DIAGNOSTIC TESTS
- Ova and parasite (stool) test
- Complete Blood Count
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