Deworming Medicine For Adults
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By:
Mike
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January 31, 2025
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Key Takeaway
- Deworming medicines help treat infectious conditions caused by parasitical worms
- Typical parasites include ringworms, hookworms, tapeworms, roundworms, etc.
- Meds like albendazole are widely used for the deworming needs of adults
- Albendazole inhibits worms’ ability to process glucose; this action helps destroy parasites inside your intestinal tract
- Based on how acute is your condition, albendazole is offered either as one dose or split over a few days’ time
- In some cases, meds like albendazole can cause a few undesired side effects; if you witness persistent spells of diarrhea, nausea and vomiting – inform your caregiving team of such outcomes
What is deworming?
Your intestine can at times turn into home for parasites like tapeworms. These worms derive their name from their segmented and flat (tape-like) structures. These worms can gain access to your intestinal system when you drink contaminated or impure water.
Existence of such parasites can show up through a few signs; leading symptoms include nausea, discharge of loose stools, pain in lower abdomen, being tired at almost all times, staying weak, loss of body weight and deficiency of vital minerals and vitamins. Deworming meds like ivermectin, albendazole, etc. are widely prescribed.
Albendazole tablet dose for adults for deworming
Dosage of albendazole varies based on your body weight. In case of those with body weight of less than 60 kilograms, a dose of 15 milligrams (mg) per kg of weight is administered. This dosing plan is administered twice per day in equally divided doses. Those who weigh above 60 kgs are offered a dose of 400 mg of albendazole.
Treating doctors may advise you to take albendazole along with a meal. Caution: the maximum permissible dose of this deworming drug is 800 milligrams within a 24-hour timeline. The timespan of treatment varies from one person to another. In general, doses are taken for a cycle of 28 days; an interval of 2 weeks is allowed soon after. Three such cycles are taken for effective deworming of adults.
In case of infections caused by pinworms, adults are offered with a single dosage of 400 mg. This is taken through the oral route. This dose is repeated after the lapse of 14 days’ time. On the other hand, for conditions like filariasis – the recommended dose for adults is 400 mg taken two times within each 24-hour timeline; this plan is continued for a span of 9 – 11 days’ time – depending on intensity of your condition.
For conditions caused by hookworms – the standard dose is 400 mg; this is offered as one dose.
Foods to avoid while taking albendazole
Foods help enhance the absorption level of deworming drugs like albendazole. It is the prime reason why doctor insist on taking these drugs along with one of your meals.
Those who took albendazole on an empty stomach reported of a drop in efficacy of this med.
Taking it on an empty tummy may cause inadequate availability of blood and this can hamper the efficiency levels to a substantial level.
Your dietitian may tell you to stay away from grapefruit and its juice. This is because of the likely interactions of grapefruit with drugs like albendazole. Those who took this combination complained of intensive spells of dizziness, giddiness, lightheaded feelings, nausea as well as acute episodes of headache / migraines.
Intake of alcohol – especially in large quantities – may numb your immune cells. This may decrease your system’s capability to fight infections. It is hence an important thing to tell your doctor all your daily habits including intake of alcohol. Owing to the risks involved, your caregiving team may tell you to stop intake of alcoholic beverages; if a complete stop is a hard thing, you may be asked to reduce the quantum of alcohol intake.
On a related note, inform your doctor of prior hypersensitivity to drugs like albendazole. Your caregivers may suggest a safer alternative for deworming purpose. Those with prior ailments like blood-based disorders – like anemia (drop in red cells of blood), eyesight related problems or ocular conditions, renal issues, hepatic disorders like cirrhosis or inflammation of the liver, etc. Moreover, those living with neuro conditions like convulsions, seizures or fits must make their doctor aware of all such nervous disorders.
It is a safe thing to disclose meds you are currently using; it is essential to include meds belonging to over the counter genre, prescription drugs, mineral supplements, vitamins or vitamins-fortified foods, herbal aids and dietary supplements.
Though albendazole is unlikely to do any harm to your fetus, inform your physician if you are presently pregnant. Those who are planning to have a baby must also tell their caregiving team of such plans.
Women who are nursing an infant or breastfeeding a baby must keep their caregiving teams aware of their maternal duties. It is not clear if the key ingredients of albendazole enter into your baby’s system through mother’s milk. Owing to this, it becomes a safe thing to keep your doctor informed of your breastfeeding responsibilities. Also, those who plan to nurse a baby soon must inform their treating doctors of such imminent maternal roles.
It is a good practice to take this deworming med with 6 to 7 ounces of water. As mentioned, ensure to have it with a meal. Intake of a moderately fatty meal-plan helps in enhancing the absorption level of albendazole.
Lastly, tell your caregiver if you are taking any other deworming meds; drugs such as praziquantel – a popular med for treating infections caused by parasitical worms. On a lateral note, tell your doctor if you are taking meds like cimetidine – used for the treatment of acid reflux or heartburns, theophylline – taken for respiratory conditions like bronchial asthma.
In order to know more on deworming meds – like albendazole – and their dosages for adults, talk to a qualified medical professional.
EDITORIAL SOURCES
Global Discount Drugs follows sourcing guidelines to ensure the accuracy of its content. We use only trustworthy sources, including peer-reviewed studies and information from top institutions.
URLs referred to (authoritative site links) –
Deworming: every girl and every woman has the right to be treated
Worms in humans – NHS
Guinea Worm Eradication Programme – Ciff
Mike is a licensed pharmacist with over 10 years of experience in community pharmacy management. He is dedicated to helping people understand their medications and improve their overall health. Mike enjoys reading medical journals and sharing practical health tips. Connect with him on LinkedIn for the latest in pharmacy practices."
Key Takeaway
- Deworming medicines help treat infectious conditions caused by parasitical worms
- Typical parasites include ringworms, hookworms, tapeworms, roundworms, etc.
- Meds like albendazole are widely used for the deworming needs of adults
- Albendazole inhibits worms’ ability to process glucose; this action helps destroy parasites inside your intestinal tract
- Based on how acute is your condition, albendazole is offered either as one dose or split over a few days’ time
- In some cases, meds like albendazole can cause a few undesired side effects; if you witness persistent spells of diarrhea, nausea and vomiting – inform your caregiving team of such outcomes
What is deworming?
Your intestine can at times turn into home for parasites like tapeworms. These worms derive their name from their segmented and flat (tape-like) structures. These worms can gain access to your intestinal system when you drink contaminated or impure water.
Existence of such parasites can show up through a few signs; leading symptoms include nausea, discharge of loose stools, pain in lower abdomen, being tired at almost all times, staying weak, loss of body weight and deficiency of vital minerals and vitamins. Deworming meds like ivermectin, albendazole, etc. are widely prescribed.
Albendazole tablet dose for adults for deworming
Dosage of albendazole varies based on your body weight. In case of those with body weight of less than 60 kilograms, a dose of 15 milligrams (mg) per kg of weight is administered. This dosing plan is administered twice per day in equally divided doses. Those who weigh above 60 kgs are offered a dose of 400 mg of albendazole.
Treating doctors may advise you to take albendazole along with a meal. Caution: the maximum permissible dose of this deworming drug is 800 milligrams within a 24-hour timeline. The timespan of treatment varies from one person to another. In general, doses are taken for a cycle of 28 days; an interval of 2 weeks is allowed soon after. Three such cycles are taken for effective deworming of adults.
In case of infections caused by pinworms, adults are offered with a single dosage of 400 mg. This is taken through the oral route. This dose is repeated after the lapse of 14 days’ time. On the other hand, for conditions like filariasis – the recommended dose for adults is 400 mg taken two times within each 24-hour timeline; this plan is continued for a span of 9 – 11 days’ time – depending on intensity of your condition.
For conditions caused by hookworms – the standard dose is 400 mg; this is offered as one dose.
Foods to avoid while taking albendazole
Foods help enhance the absorption level of deworming drugs like albendazole. It is the prime reason why doctor insist on taking these drugs along with one of your meals.
Those who took albendazole on an empty stomach reported of a drop in efficacy of this med.
Taking it on an empty tummy may cause inadequate availability of blood and this can hamper the efficiency levels to a substantial level.
Your dietitian may tell you to stay away from grapefruit and its juice. This is because of the likely interactions of grapefruit with drugs like albendazole. Those who took this combination complained of intensive spells of dizziness, giddiness, lightheaded feelings, nausea as well as acute episodes of headache / migraines.
Intake of alcohol – especially in large quantities – may numb your immune cells. This may decrease your system’s capability to fight infections. It is hence an important thing to tell your doctor all your daily habits including intake of alcohol. Owing to the risks involved, your caregiving team may tell you to stop intake of alcoholic beverages; if a complete stop is a hard thing, you may be asked to reduce the quantum of alcohol intake.
On a related note, inform your doctor of prior hypersensitivity to drugs like albendazole. Your caregivers may suggest a safer alternative for deworming purpose. Those with prior ailments like blood-based disorders – like anemia (drop in red cells of blood), eyesight related problems or ocular conditions, renal issues, hepatic disorders like cirrhosis or inflammation of the liver, etc. Moreover, those living with neuro conditions like convulsions, seizures or fits must make their doctor aware of all such nervous disorders.
It is a safe thing to disclose meds you are currently using; it is essential to include meds belonging to over the counter genre, prescription drugs, mineral supplements, vitamins or vitamins-fortified foods, herbal aids and dietary supplements.
Though albendazole is unlikely to do any harm to your fetus, inform your physician if you are presently pregnant. Those who are planning to have a baby must also tell their caregiving team of such plans.
Women who are nursing an infant or breastfeeding a baby must keep their caregiving teams aware of their maternal duties. It is not clear if the key ingredients of albendazole enter into your baby’s system through mother’s milk. Owing to this, it becomes a safe thing to keep your doctor informed of your breastfeeding responsibilities. Also, those who plan to nurse a baby soon must inform their treating doctors of such imminent maternal roles.
It is a good practice to take this deworming med with 6 to 7 ounces of water. As mentioned, ensure to have it with a meal. Intake of a moderately fatty meal-plan helps in enhancing the absorption level of albendazole.
Lastly, tell your caregiver if you are taking any other deworming meds; drugs such as praziquantel – a popular med for treating infections caused by parasitical worms. On a lateral note, tell your doctor if you are taking meds like cimetidine – used for the treatment of acid reflux or heartburns, theophylline – taken for respiratory conditions like bronchial asthma.
In order to know more on deworming meds – like albendazole – and their dosages for adults, talk to a qualified medical professional.
EDITORIAL SOURCES
Global Discount Drugs follows sourcing guidelines to ensure the accuracy of its content. We use only trustworthy sources, including peer-reviewed studies and information from top institutions.
URLs referred to (authoritative site links) –
Deworming: every girl and every woman has the right to be treated
Worms in humans – NHS
Guinea Worm Eradication Programme – Ciff
Mike is a licensed pharmacist with over 10 years of experience in community pharmacy management. He is dedicated to helping people understand their medications and improve their overall health. Mike enjoys reading medical journals and sharing practical health tips. Connect with him on LinkedIn for the latest in pharmacy practices."
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