Health Library Albendazole for the Treatment of PinwormsFrom Healthwise

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

Albendazole kills both immature worms and adult pinworms.

Albendazole may be used in cases of pinworm infections that cannot be treated with other pinworm medications. It is not the medication usually first used to treat pinworm infections.

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

Albendazole is used for infections caused by parasites. It may be used in special cases of pinworm infection where the person cannot be treated with other pinworm medications, such as when a person has side effects from other medications.

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 medication is stopped.

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

Do not take albendazole if you are pregnant or breast-feeding without first consulting with your health professional.

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 health professional.

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.

Complete the new medication information form (PDF)(What is a PDF document?) to help you understand this medication.

Author:	Amy Fackler, MA Debby Golonka, MPH	Last Updated: October 2, 2006
Medical Review:	Kathleen Romito, MD - Family Medicine Michael J. Sexton, MD - Pediatrics Thomas Emmett Francoeur, MDCM, CSPQ, FRCPC - Pediatrics
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