Albendazole for treatment of giardiasis

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Albendazole for treatment of giardiasis

Albendazole (Albenza) comes in tablet form and is available only by prescription. Albendazole may be as effective as metronidazole for the treatment of giardiasis but with fewer side effects in children ages 2 to 12 years.¹ Most reports indicate a cure rate of up to 75% after 10 days of treatment with albendazole.²

Side effects are not common but may include:

Fever.
Rash or itching.
Sore throat.
Unusual tiredness or weakness (with high doses).
Dizziness or headache.
Belly pain, diarrhea, nausea, or vomiting.

Albendazole should not be taken by pregnant women or those with liver function problems. It is best to take albendazole with food.

References

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Citations
Furness BW, et al. (2000). Giardiasis surveillance, United States, 1992–1997. MMWR, CDC Surveillance Summaries, 49(SS-7). Atlanta: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Disease Control.
Wright SG (2000). Giardiasis. In GT Strickland, ed., Hunter's Tropical Medicine and Emerging Infectious Diseases, 8th ed., pp. 589–593. Philadelphia: W.B. Saunders.

Credits

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Author	Maria G. Essig, MS, ELS
Editor	Susan Van Houten, RN, BSN, MBA
Associate Editor	Pat Truman, MATC
Primary Medical Reviewer	E. Gregory Thompson, MD - Internal Medicine
Specialist Medical Reviewer	W. David Colby IV, MSc, MD, FRCPC - Infectious Disease
Last Updated	October 16, 2007

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Last updated:	October 16, 2007
Author:	Maria G. Essig, MS, ELS
Reviewed By:	E. Gregory Thompson, MD - Internal Medicine, W. David Colby IV, MSc, MD, FRCPC - Infectious Disease
Editors:	Susan Van Houten, RN, BSN, MBA, Pat Truman, MATC

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