| Albendazole Chemical Properties | |
| Melting point | 208-210 °C |
| density | 1.2561 (rough estimate) |
| refractive index | 1.6740 (estimate) |
| storage temp. | 2-8°C |
| solubility | Practically insoluble in water, freely soluble in anhydrous formic acid, very slightly soluble in methylene chloride, practically insoluble in ethanol (96 per cent). |
| pka | 10.72±0.10(Predicted) |
| form | Solid |
| color | White to Off-White |
| Water Solubility | 0.75mg/L(209 ºC) |
Albendazole (ALBENZA) is an orally administered broad-spectrum anthelmintic.
Albendazole is a benzimidazole carbamate derivative which is structurally related to mebendazole. Its main metabolite, albendazole sulphoxide, may largely be responsible for the drug's pharmacological effects.
The mechanism of action of albendazole is similar to that of other benzimidazoles (see mebendazole).
Albendazole has the capability of completely killing the eggs of whipworm and hookworm as well as partially killing Ascaris’ eggs; it can also get rid of various kinds of nematodes parasitizing inside animal bodies, and has effects on either getting rid of or directly killing tapeworms and cysticerci. It is thus useful in the treatment of hydatid and the nervous system (cysticercosis) caused by infection of pork worm, and also in the treatment of hookworm, roundworm, pinworm, nematode trichinella, tapeworm, whipworm and stercoralis nematode.
Albendazole is labeled for the following endoparasites of cattle (not lactating): Ostertagia ostertagi, Haemonchus spp., Trichostrongylus spp., Nematodius spp., Cooperia spp., Bunostomum phlebotomum, Oesphagostomum spp., Dictacaulus vivaparus (adult and 4th stage larva), Fasciola hepatica (adults), and Moniezia spp.
In sheep, albendazole is approved for treating the following endoparasites: Ostertagia circumcincta, Marshallagia marshalli, Haemonchus contortus, Trichostrongylus spp., Nematodius spp., Cooperia spp., Oesphagostomum spp., Chibertia ovina, Dictacaulus filaria, Fasciola hepatica, Fascioides magna, Moniezia expansa, and Thysanosoma actinoides.
Albendazole is also used (extra-label) in small mammals, goats and swine for endoparasite control.
In cats, albendazole has been used to treat Paragonimus kellicotti infections. In dogs and cats, albendazole has been used to treat cAPIllariasis. In dogs, albendazole has been used to treat Filaroides infections. It has been used for treating giardia infections in small animals, but concerns about bone marrow toxicity have diminished enthusiasm for the drug's use.
