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Albendazole for the Treatment of Pinworms

Examples

Generic Name Brand Name
albendazole Albenza

Albendazole is available by prescription only and comes in tablet form.

How It Works

Albendazole kills both immature worms and adult pinworms.

Why It Is Used

Albendazole is used for infections caused by parasites. Albendazole may be used in cases of pinworm infections that cannot be treated with other pinworm medicines. It is not the medicine usually first used to treat pinworm infections.

Albendazole is not recommended for use in pregnant women or in people with poorly functioning livers.

How Well It Works

In most cases, albendazole gets rid of pinworm infection.

This medicine may be used in special cases of pinworm infection where the person cannot be treated with other pinworm medicines, such as when a person has side effects from other medicines.

Side Effects

Side effects of albendazole are rare but may include:

  • Fever, rash, or itching.
  • Sore throat, fever, unusual tiredness, and weakness (with high doses).
  • Dizziness, headache.
  • Abdominal pain, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting.
  • Thinning of hair (very rare). Hair does grow back after medicine is stopped.

See Drug Reference for a full list of side effects. (Drug Reference is not available in all systems.)

What To Think About

If you are pregnant or breast-feeding, do not take albendazole without first consulting with your doctor.

Pregnancy should be avoided for at least a month following albendazole use.

If you have liver disease or a poorly functioning liver, talk with your doctor before using this medicine.

Treatment with albendazole needs to be repeated about 2 weeks after the initial treatment to kill any worms that have hatched.

It is best to take albendazole with a meal.

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Credits

By Healthwise Staff
Primary Medical Reviewer Kathleen Romito, MD - Family Medicine
Specialist Medical Reviewer Susan C. Kim, MD - Pediatrics
Last Revised September 2, 2010

Last Revised: September 2, 2010

Author: Healthwise Staff

Medical Review: Kathleen Romito, MD - Family Medicine & Susan C. Kim, MD - Pediatrics

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