Helminths (worms) are multicellular organisms that infect very large numbers of humans and cause a broad range of diseases. Over 1 billion people are infected with intestinal nematodes.
In many cases, especially in the developing world, the goal is control of infection, with elimination of most parasites controlling disease symptoms and decreasing the transmission of infection. In other cases, complete elimination of parasites is the goal of therapy, although this goal can be challenging with certain helminthic infections, because of both limited efficacy of drugs and frequent reinfection after therapy in endemic areas. In general, parasites should be identified before treatment is started.
Albendazole
Albendazole is a benzimidazole carbamate. Its plasma half-life is 8–12 hours. Albendazole metabolites are excreted in the urine. Albendazole is administered on an empty stomach when used against intraluminal parasites but with a fatty meal when used against tissue parasites.
It undergoes first-pass metabolism in the liver to the active metabolite albendazole sulfoxide. The sulfoxide is mostly protein-bound, distributes well to tissues, and enters bile, cerebrospinal fluid, and hydatid cysts.Benzimidazoles are thought to act against nematodes by inhibiting microtubule synthesis.
Clinical uses
Ascariasis, Trichuriasis, and Hookworm and Pinworm Infections
Hydatid Disease
Neurocysticercosis
Intestinal capillariasis
Microsporidial infections
Gnathostomiasis
