antibioticsbooks

270 PART 6 Antiparasitic Drugs
Adverse Effects
Albendazole is very well tolerated, especially
when used as single-dose therapy in treatment
of intestinal worm infection. With multidose regimens,
adverse effects are primarily gastrointestinal,
although hepatotoxicity and neutropenia are
rarely reported. Thiabendazole is the most toxic
and can cause CNS adverse effects. These drugs
should generally be avoided in pregnancy, although
some data suggest that they may be safe after the
first trimester.
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Important Facts
• Although data are limited, these drugs appear
to be substrates of the cytochrome P450 system.
Thus, it is possible that co- administration with
strong inducers of drug-metabolizing enzymes
such as phenytoin and rifampin may lower
serum levels. Oral absorption of albendazole
is limited, which generally does not pose a
problem for treatment of intestinal nematode
infections, and thus drug interactions would
not be of concern. However, in treatment of
systemic infections, caution is advised with
co-administration of enzyme-inducing agents
because of the potential for subtherapeutic
drug levels.
What They’re Good For
Single-dose therapy of most intestinal nematode
infections, as an alternative for treatment
of Strongyloides infection, and as treatment for
tissue-invasive Echinococcus or Taenia infection.