ALBENZA

Generic Name: Albenza Classification: Anti-Parasitic

(These are common indications for Albenza. There may be additional conditions not listed here. Check with your doctor if you have questions about your specific condition).

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What is the most important information I should know about Albenza:
Do not take Albenza if you are pregnant. Avoid pregnancy for at least 1 month following Albenza therapy. Take Albenza with food to lessen stomach upset.

Drug Uses (What is Albenza):
Albenza is an "antihelmintic," or anti-worm, medication. Albenza is indicated for the treatment of parenchymal neurocysticercosis due to active lesions caused by larval forms of the pork tapeworm. This medicine may also be used for the treatment of cystic hydatid disease of the liver, lung, and peritoneum, caused by the larval form of the dog tapeworm.

Who should not take Albenza:
Before taking Albenza, tell your doctor about any other medical conditions that you have, especially liver disease. You may require a lower dose or special monitoring during therapy if you have liver problems. Albenza is in the FDA pregnancy category C. This means that it is not known whether it will harm an unborn baby. Do not take Albenza without first talking to your doctor if you are pregnant. Pregnancy should also be avoided for at least 1 month following therapy with Albenza. It is not known whether Albenza passes into breast milk and how it might affect a nursing baby. Do not take Albenza without first talking to your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

How Taken:
- Take Albenza exactly as directed by your doctor. If you do not understand these directions, ask your pharmacist, nurse, or doctor to explain them to you.
- Take each dose with a full glass of water.
- Take Albenza tablets with food to lessen stomach upset.
- Take all of the Albenza that has been prescribed for you even if you begin to feel better. Your symptoms may start to improve before the infection is completely treated. It can take 30 days to 3 months to treat this infection.
- Fasting, laxatives, or purging will not help to cure this infection.

Warnings/Precautions:
Albenza may cause fetal harm, therefore, you should begin treatment after a negative pregnancy test. During therapy, because of the possibility of harm to the liver or bone marrow, routine (every 2 weeks) monitoring of blood counts and liver function tests should take place. Talk to your doctor about possible harm to the fetus if you plan on becoming pregnant while on Albenza or within 1 month of completing treatment.

Missed Dose:
If you miss a dose, use it as soon as you remember. If it is near the time of the next dose, skip the missed dose and resume your usual dosing schedule. Do not double the dose to catch up.

Possible Side Effects:
Stop taking Albenza and seek emergency medical attention if you experience an allergic reaction (swelling of your lips, tongue, or face; shortness of breath; closing of your throat; or hives).
Other, less serious side effects may be more likely to occur. Continue to take Albenza and talk to your doctor if you experience:
- abdominal pain, nausea, or vomiting;
- headache;
- dizziness ;or
- a fever.
Side effects other than those listed here may also occur. Talk to your doctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome.

Other drugs will affect Albenza:
Before taking this medication, tell your doctor if you are taking:
- dexamethasone (Decadron, Hexadrol),
- praziquantel (Biltricide), or
- cimetidine (Tagamet, Tagamet HB).
These medicines may increase the level of Albenza in your body. Your doctor will want to monitor drug interactions and make adjustments in dosage.
Drugs other than those listed here may also interact with Albenza. Talk to your doctor and pharmacist before taking any prescription or over-the-counter medicines.

Storage:
Store between 20 and 25 degrees C (68 and 77 degrees F).

Overdose:
In case of overdosage, symptomatic therapy and general supportive measures are recommended. Seek emergency medical attention.

More Information:
If you suffer of hypersensitivity to the benzimidazole class of compounds or any components of Albenza, talk to your doctor before taking this medicine.