Dosage of Albendazole for Nematode/Roundworm Infections (Baylisascariasis, Enterobiasis, Filariasis, Hookworm Infections, Toxocariasis, Strongyloidiasis, Trichinellosis, Trichostrongyliasis, Trichuriasis, Trematode, Giardiasis, Microsporidiosis)

Dosage of Albendazole for Nematode/Roundworm Infections (Baylisascariasis, Enterobiasis, Filariasis, Hookworm Infections, Toxocariasis, Strongyloidiasis, Trichinellosis, Trichostrongyliasis, Trichuriasis, Trematode, Giardiasis, Microsporidiosis)

Nematode (Roundworm) Infections
Ascariasis. For the treatment of ascariasis caused by Ascaris lumbricoides, adult and pediatric patients should receive a single 400-mg dose of albendazole.

Baylisascariasis. In an attempt to prevent clinical disease by killing larvae before they enter the CNS, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends early (with 1-3 days of possible infection) albendazole therapy at a dosage of 25-50 mg/kg daily for 10 days. Some clinicians recommend a 20-day course of albendazole therapy. Immediate treatment is recommended if infection is probable; treatment should not be delayed until the emergence of symptoms.

Enterobiasis. For the treatment of enterobiasis caused by Enterobius vermicularis (pinworm), some clinicians recommend that adult and pediatric patients receive an initial 400-mg dose of albendazole and a second 400-mg dose given 2 weeks later. Some clinicians recommend that all household contacts of patients with enterobiasis receive treatment, especially in situations in which multiple or repeated symptomatic infections occur, since such contacts commonly also are infected.

Filariasis. For the treatment of filariasis caused by Mansonella perstans, some clinicians recommend that adults and pediatric patients receive albendazole in a dosage of 400 mg twice daily for 10 days.

Hookworm Infections. For the treatment of cutaneous larva migrans (creeping eruption) caused by dog or cat hookworms, some clinicians recommend that adults and pediatric patients receive albendazole in a dosage of 400 mg once daily for 3 days.

For the treatment of intestinal hookworm infections caused by Ancylostoma duodenale or Necator americanus, some clinicians recommend that adult and pediatric patients receive a single 400-mg dose of albendazole. A repeat stool examination (using a concentration technique) for eggs of A. duodenale or N. americanus should be performed 2 weeks after treatment and the regimen should be repeated if results are positive.

For the treatment of eosinophilic enterocolitis caused by Ancylostoma caninum (dog hookworm), some clinicians recommend that adult and pediatric patients receive a single 400 mg dose of albendazole.

Toxocariasis (Visceral Larva Migrans). For the treatment of treatment of toxocariasis (visceral larva migrans) caused by dog and cat roundworms, some clinicians recommend that adults and pediatric patients receive albendazole in a dosage of 400 mg twice daily for 5 days. However, optimum duration of therapy is not known and some clinicians recommend that treatment be continued for up to 20 days.

Strongyloidiasis. For the treatment of strongyloidiasis caused by Strongyloides stercoralis (threadworm), some clinicians recommend that adults and pediatric patients receive albendazole in a dosage of 400 mg twice daily for 2 days. It may be necessary to repeat or prolong therapy or use other agents in immunocompromised individuals or those with disseminated disease.

Trichinellosis. The recommended dosage of albendazole for the treatment of trichinellosis (trichinosis) caused by Trichinella spiralis in adults and pediatric patients is 400 mg twice daily for 8-14 days.

Trichostrongyliasis. For the treatment of infections caused by Trichostrongylus, adults and pediatric patients should receive a single 400-mg dose of albendazole.

Trichuriasis. Adults and pediatric patients with trichuriasis caused by Trichuris trichiura (whipworm) should receive albendazole in a dosage of 400 mg once daily for 3 days.

Other Nematode Infections. For the treatment of capillariasis caused by Capillaria philippinensis, some clinicians recommend that adults and pediatric patients receive albendazole in a dosage of 400 mg once daily for 10 days.

Adults and pediatric patients with gnathostomiasis caused by Gnathostoma spinigerum should receive albendazole in a dosage of 400 mg twice daily for 21 days.

For the treatment of gongylonemiasis caused by Gongylonema, adults and pediatric patients should receive albendazole in a dosage of 10 mg/kg daily for 3 days.

Trematode (Fluke) Infections
For the treatment of infections caused by Clonorchis sinensis (Chinese liver fluke), some clinicians recommend that adults and pediatric patients receive albendazole in a dosage of 10 mg/kg daily given for 7 days.

Giardiasis
For the treatment of giardiasis caused by Giardia duodenalis (also known as G. lamblia or G. intestinalis) in adults and pediatric patients, albendazole has been given in a dosage of 400 mg daily for 5 days (alone or in conjunction with metronidazole).

Microsporidiosis
For the treatment of ocular or disseminated microsporidiosis, some clinicians recommend that adults receive albendazole in a dosage of 400 mg twice daily. For the treatment of intestinal microsporidiosis caused by Encephalitozoon intestinalis, some clinicians recommend that adults receive albendazole in a dosage of 400 mg twice daily for 21 days.