Albenza

Albenza

Albenza is used for:

Treating certain tapeworm infections.

Albenza is an anthelmintic. It works by killing sensitive parasites.

Do NOT use Albenza if:

• you are allergic to any of the ingredients contained in Albenza or to benzimidazoles (eg, rabeprazole)

Contact your health care provider as soon as possible if any of the above applies to you.

Consider before using Albenza

Medical Conditions

There are medical conditions that can influence usage of Albenza . Tell your doctor or pharmacist if any of the medical conditions below applies to you:

• if you are either pregnant or planning to become pregnant
• if you are breast-feeding
• if you are taking any medicine (either prescription or nonprescription), herbal preparation, or dietary supplement
• if you are allergic to medicines, foods, or other substances
• if you have liver problems, eye problems (eg, retinal lesions), bone marrow problems, low white blood cell counts, or low platelet counts

Drugs Interaction

There are medicines that may interact with Albenza . Inform your health care provider if you are taking any other medicines, in particular any from the list below:

• Cimetidine, dexamethasone, or praziquantel because they may increase the risk of Albenza 's side effects
• Theophylline because the risk of its side effects may be increased by Albenza

This is not a full list of all interactions that may occur. Clarify with your health care provider whether Albenza may interact with other medicines you take. Also, consult your health care provider in advance if you are going to start, stop, or change the dose of any medicine.

Albenza Usage Guidelines

Use Albenza as directed by your doctor. Read the medicine's label for precise dosing instructions.

• Take Albenza by mouth with food.
• If you have trouble swallowing the tablet whole, it may be crushed or chewed with a little water.
• If you miss a dose of Albenza , take it as soon as you get it remembered. However, if it is almost time for the next dose, ignore the missed one and get back to your normal dosing schedule. Do not take 2 doses at the same time. If you have missed more than 1 dose, consult your doctor or health care provider.

Clarify with your health care provider any issues you may have about usage of Albenza .

Important safety information on albenza

• Albenza may cause dizziness. This effect may be worse if you take it with alcohol or certain medicines. Use Albenza with caution. Refrain from driving or performing other possibly dangerous activities until you know how you react to it.
• Albenza may rarely lower the ability of your body to fight infection. Avoid contact with people who have colds or infections. Tell your doctor if you notice signs of infection like fever, sore throat, rash, or chills.
• If you may become pregnant, you should have negative pregnancy test before you start taking Albenza . You must use an effective form of birth control while you take Albenza and for at least 1 month after you stop taking it. Any questions on effective birth control should be clarified with your doctor.
• Lab tests, including complete blood cell counts and liver function tests, may be performed while you use Albenza . These tests can be used to monitor your medical condition or to check for side effects. Be sure to keep all doctor and lab appointments.
• Albenza should be used with extreme caution in CHILDREN younger than 1 year old; safety and effectiveness in these children have not been confirmed.
• PREGNANCY and BREAST-FEEDING: Do not take Albenza if you are pregnant. It may harm the fetus. Abstain from becoming pregnant while taking this medicine and for at least 1 month after you stop taking it. If you find out you may be pregnant, tell your doctor as soon as possible. It is not known if Albenza is found in breast milk. If you are breast-feeding or going to breast-feed, discuss with your doctor any possible risks to your baby.

Side effects may be caused by Albenza

Any medicine may cause side effects, but the majority of people have either slight side effects, or dont have it at all. Consult your doctor if any of the most COMMON side effects from the list below persist or start bothering you:

Headache; nausea; stomach pain; vomiting.

Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; itching; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue); dark urine; decreased urination; fever, chills, or sore throat; red, swollen, peeling, or blistered skin; severe or persistent dizziness or headache; unusual bruising or bleeding; unusual tiredness or weakness; vision changes; yellowing of the eyes or skin.

It sholud be noted, that this is not a full list of possible side effects. If you have questions or need medical advice about side effects, contact your doctor or health care provider. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 (1-800-332-1088) or at http://www.fda.gov/medwatch.

If OVERDOSE is suspected:

Contact 1-800-222-1222 (the American Association of Poison Control Centers), your local poison control center (http://www.aapcc.org/findyour.htm), or emergency room immediately.

Albenza storage instructions:

Store Albenza at room temperature, between 68 and 77 degrees F (20 and 25 degrees C), in a tightly closed container. Store away from heat, moisture, and light. Do not store in the bathroom. Keep Albenza out of the reach of children and away from pets.

General information:

• If you have any questions on Albenza , please consult your doctor, pharmacist, or health care provider.
• Albenza is supposed to be used only by the patient it is prescribed to. Do not share it with other people.
• If your symptoms do not improve or even become worse, inform your doctor.

This article is a summary only, and it does not provide all the information about Albenza . If you have questions about the medicine you are taking or would like more information, check with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.

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