Albendazole Dosage: How Much to Take, When, and What to Watch For

When you're treating a parasitic infection, albendazole, a broad-spectrum antiparasitic drug used to kill worms and larvae in the body. Also known as Albenza, it's one of the most common medicines doctors turn to for roundworms, hookworms, tapeworms, and even some tissue infections like neurocysticercosis. But getting the dose wrong can mean the treatment fails—or worse, causes side effects. It’s not just about popping a pill. The right albendazole dosage depends on your weight, the type of parasite, how long you’ve had it, and even your age.

For most adults with intestinal worms like pinworms or hookworms, the standard dose is 400 mg once. But if you’re treating something deeper, like a tapeworm in your brain or liver, you might need 400 mg twice a day for 8 to 30 days. Kids get lower doses based on their weight—usually 15 mg per kilogram, capped at 400 mg per dose. If you’re overweight or underweight, your doctor may adjust this. It’s not a one-size-fits-all drug. You also need to take it with food, especially fatty meals, because that helps your body absorb it better. Skip the food, and the medicine might not work. And don’t mix it with certain other drugs, like cimetidine or dexamethasone, without checking with your doctor—they can mess with how albendazole works in your system.

Side effects aren’t common, but they happen. Nausea, dizziness, and headaches are the usual suspects. More serious issues—like liver damage or low white blood cell counts—are rare but serious. That’s why your doctor might order a blood test before or during treatment, especially if you’re on it longer than a week. People with liver problems or pregnant women need extra caution. And if you’re treating a child, watch for signs of allergic reaction: rash, swelling, trouble breathing. These aren’t everyday risks, but they’re real enough to not ignore.

What you’ll find below is a collection of real, practical guides that look at how albendazole fits into the bigger picture of parasite treatment. You’ll see how it compares to other antiparasitics, how doctors decide between doses, and what patients actually experience when taking it. No fluff. No guesswork. Just clear, direct info based on how this drug is used in real clinics and real lives.