Albendazole(CAS: 54965-21-8)

Albendazole, marketed as Albenza (United States), Eskazole, Zentel, Andazol and Alworm, is a benzimidazole drug used for the treatment of a variety of parasitic worm infestations. It is marketed in theU.S.by Amedra Pharmaceuticals, and by GlaxoSmithKline in international markets. Albendazole was first discovered at the SmithKline Animal Health Laboratories in 1972. It is a broad spectrum anthelmintic, effective against roundworms, tapeworms, andflukes of domestic animals and humans.

It is on the World Health Organization’s List of Essential Medicines, a list of the most important medication needed in a basic health system.

Medical uses

It is effective first line of treatment against:

•     Flatworms

•     Flukes/trematodes

•     Fasciolosis

•     Tapeworm/cestodes

•     Cysticercosis

•     Echinococcosis

•     Nematodes

•     Enterobiasis (pinworm infection)

•     Trichuriasis (whipworm infection)

•     Toxocariasis

•     Ascariasis

•     Hookworm

•     Cutaneous larva migrans (caused by Ancylostoma)

•     Filariasis

In Africa, albendazole is being used to treat lymphatic filariasis as part of efforts to stop transmission of thedisease. In sub-Saharan Africa, albendazole is used in conjunction with ivermectin, and elsewhere in the world, themedicine is used in combination with diethylcarbamazine.

InBraziland other countries it is used against giardiasis.