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
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
| 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 |
