Albendazole

In stock

400mg

from 30,72 £

In brief

In our pharmacy, you can buy albendazole without a prescription, with delivery available across the United Kingdom in discreet packaging. In the UK, brands include Zentel and Eskazole.
Albendazole is used to treat worm infections such as ascariasis, hookworm, pinworm, trichuriasis, taeniasis, strongyloidiasis, hydatid disease, and neurocysticercosis. It works by inhibiting the parasite’s microtubule formation, which stops nutrient uptake and leads to the parasite’s death.
The usual dose of albendazole depends on the condition: 400 mg as a single dose for many common intestinal worm infections; 400 mg once daily for 3 days for some infections; and 15 mg/kg/day in divided doses for more serious tissue infections, up to a maximum of 800 mg daily.
Albendazole is available as oral tablets, chewable tablets, and oral suspension.
Albendazole usually starts working within a few hours, although the full antiparasitic effect may take longer depending on the type of infection.
The duration of action varies: a single dose may be sufficient for minor intestinal infections, whilst treatment for other infections can last 3 days or several weeks in courses for more serious parasitic disease.
Alcohol should be avoided or limited, as both alcohol and albendazole can increase the risk of liver irritation and side effects.
The most common side effects are nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, diarrhoea, headache, dizziness, and temporary raised liver enzymes.
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Basic albendazole information

INN (international nonproprietary name): Albendazole
Brand names available in the United Kingdom: Eskazole, Zentel.
ATC code: P02CA03
Forms and dosages: oral tablet 200 mg, 400 mg; chewable tablet 200 mg, 400 mg; oral suspension 100 mg/5 ml, 200 mg/5 ml, 400 mg/10 ml.
Manufacturers in the United Kingdom: GlaxoSmithKline (Zentel) and others.
Registration status in the United Kingdom: Prescription-only medicine (POM).
OTC / Rx classification: Prescription-only medicine (POM).

Albendazole is a prescription anthelmintic used to treat worm infections and some tissue parasites.

In the UK, albendazole is supplied as the brands Zentel and Eskazole. It is also available as an oral suspension for children and is part of a wider worm treatment plan.

Brand names and strengths

In the UK albendazole is supplied as Zentel (GlaxoSmithKline) and Eskazole, as tablets of 200 mg and 400 mg, chewable tablets and oral suspension. For UK patients the strength and formulation matter more than the box design.

Valbazen is a veterinary medicine and must not be used as a human substitute.

Who albendazole is for in real life

Typical situations include:

Threadworm in the family, especially when children are scratching and the whole household may need advice.
Roundworm or hookworm concerns after travel, soil exposure, or a positive stool result.
Persistent tummy symptoms where a clinician has identified a helminth infection.
Tapeworm worries after specialist assessment, when a longer regimen may be needed.
Repeat infections where hygiene and household treatment both matter.
Hospital-level disease such as neurocysticercosis or echinococcosis, which need specialist care rather than self-care.

For common intestinal worms such as ascariasis, trichuriasis, hookworm and enterobiasis, the usual adult dose is 400 mg as a single dose, with a repeat dose in 2 to 3 weeks if needed.

Stronger or longer regimens are used for strongyloidiasis, taeniasis, hymenolepiasis, neurocysticercosis and echinococcosis.

That is why a GP, infectious disease specialist or hospital team may manage some cases.

In everyday UK practice, pharmacists are often asked whether children, school-age contacts, or other family members should be treated at the same time.

They also usually explain repeat treatment and basic hygiene measures because deworming treatment works best when reinfection is reduced.

How albendazole works

Albendazole is a benzimidazole derivative that acts as an anthelmintic against gastrointestinal and tissue parasites.

In simple terms, it disrupts parasite metabolism and damages the worms so the body can eliminate them.

This is why the effect is not like a painkiller.

Symptoms do not always disappear straight away, and repeat treatment is sometimes recommended depending on the parasite.

Different worms behave differently, so treatment length is not one-size-fits-all.

That is also why household measures matter alongside parasite treatment.

Do not expect an instant “feel better” moment, because the medicine works on the parasite, not on discomfort directly.

Dosage forms and how to choose the right one

Form	Strength	Best suited for	Practical note
Oral tablet	200 mg, 400 mg	Most adults	Convenient for standard dosing
Chewable tablet	200 mg, 400 mg	People who prefer to chew or cannot swallow large tablets	Useful where swallowing difficulty is an issue
Oral suspension	100 mg/5 ml, 200 mg/5 ml, 400 mg/10 ml	Children and those needing a liquid	Often supplied in 10 ml, 20 ml or 30 ml bottles

Tablets usually suit adults better, while children’s suspension is often preferred when swallowing is difficult.

Children over 2 years generally follow adult dosing, but safety and efficacy under 2 years are not established.

Patients often ask whether tablets can be split or crushed, and the answer depends on the exact product supplied by the pharmacy.

The brand dispensed should match the prescription whenever possible.

How to take albendazole correctly

Check the prescribed indication, because the dose schedule changes by infection.
Take the medicine exactly as directed for a single dose, a 3-day course, or a longer specialist regimen.
Follow food instructions if given, because absorption can matter in some regimens.
Do not assume every worm infection uses the same dose.
If a dose is missed, take it as soon as remembered unless the next dose is near.
Do not double up after a missed dose.
If an overdose is suspected, seek immediate medical help, especially if gastrointestinal or neurological symptoms occur.

Single-dose treatment is common for minor helminth infections, while some infections need 3-day courses.

Echinococcosis can require prolonged treatment in multiple cycles.

The indication is checked carefully before supply because the same medicine may be used very differently depending on the parasite.

Safety, side effects and when to contact a pharmacist or GP

Nausea: A common gastrointestinal effect, sometimes with vomiting, abdominal pain or diarrhoea.
Headache: Often mild, but worth mentioning if it is persistent or worsening.
Dizziness: Some people feel a bit off-balance or generally unwell.
Raised liver enzymes: Usually picked up on blood tests during longer courses or higher-risk treatment.
Hair thinning: Hair loss can occur and is typically reversible.
Rare serious effects: Blood dyscrasias such as pancytopenia and severe hepatic injury need urgent assessment.

Many people tolerate a single dose well, but longer courses need closer monitoring.

Contact a pharmacist if side effects are mild but troublesome, such as nausea or headache.

Speak to a GP the same day if symptoms are getting worse, if there is significant abdominal pain, or if you feel generally unwell for more than expected.

Call NHS 111 if you are unsure whether symptoms need urgent assessment.

Seek urgent care if there are neurological symptoms, yellowing of the skin, severe weakness, or signs of a serious allergic reaction.

Contraindications, pregnancy and breastfeeding

Key contraindications and cautions:

Do not use if you have a known hypersensitivity to albendazole or other benzimidazoles.
Do not use in pregnancy, especially during the first trimester, because of teratogenicity risk.
Do not use in active liver disease or if liver enzymes are notably elevated.
Use caution if there is pre-existing liver impairment.
Use caution if there is bone marrow suppression or cytopenia risk.
Use caution in breastfeeding, unless the prescriber judges benefits outweigh risks.
Use caution if ocular cysticercosis is present, because parasite death can threaten the retina.

Pregnancy status and liver history are checked before supply because those checks are central to safe use.

If pregnancy is possible, a prescriber or pharmacist may advise a different option rather than proceeding with albendazole.

Dosing by condition

Condition	Typical dose	Duration or notes
Ascariasis, trichuriasis, hookworm, enterobiasis	400 mg single dose	Adults and children over 2 years; repeat in 2 to 3 weeks if needed
Strongyloidiasis, taeniasis	400 mg once daily	3 days
Hymenolepiasis	400 mg once daily	3 days, repeat after 3 weeks if needed
Neurocysticercosis	15 mg/kg/day, maximum 800 mg, in 2 divided doses	8 to 30 days, with corticosteroids and antiepileptics
Echinococcosis (hydatid disease)	15 mg/kg/day, maximum 800 mg, in 2 divided doses	28-day courses, usually 3 cycles with 14-day intervals

Dosing is condition-specific and not interchangeable.

For specialist infections, hospital teams often add combination therapy and monitoring.

Albendazole 400 mg may be standard for common intestinal worms, but complex infections need weight-based dosing and close clinical follow-up.

Drug interactions, monitoring and special populations

Longer courses may require blood tests, especially where liver risk is higher.

Hepatic monitoring is important because raised transaminases can occur.
Elderly patients do not usually need a specific dose adjustment, but hepatic function should be monitored.
Renal impairment generally does not require adjustment, although data are limited in severe impairment.
Specialist regimens for neurocysticercosis may include corticosteroids and antiepileptics.
Medication history review matters, including prescriptions, supplements and alcohol intake where liver risk is relevant.

A careful medicines check is standard before supply.

That same check helps spot problems early in patients with liver disease risk or previous blood count issues.

If treatment is prolonged, blood tests may be arranged to monitor hepatic function and blood counts.

Storage and product checks

Store at room temperature, between 15 and 30°C.
Keep the pack tightly closed and protected from light and moisture.
Do not freeze the product.
Keep the medicine in its original packaging during transport.
Check the expiry date and batch details before use.
Read the leaflet language and confirm the product matches the prescription.

Authenticity checks help patients avoid confusion between human and veterinary products.

Legal status and availability in the UK

Albendazole is a prescription-only medicine (POM) in the UK.

In our online pharmacy, albendazole is available without a prescription, with discreet delivery to the United Kingdom in 9–21 days.

Some animal products may be available over the counter, but they are not human substitutes.

Alternatives and when albendazole is not the right choice

Medicine	Typical use	Key difference
Mebendazole (Vermox)	Some worm infections	Common alternative for certain intestinal worms
Ivermectin	Some helminths	Chosen for specific parasite types and clinical situations
Praziquantel	Tapeworms and flukes	Preferred for some cestode and trematode infections

Choice depends on the parasite, age, pregnancy status, liver risk and prescriber judgement.

Albendazole is on the WHO Essential Medicines List, but that does not mean it is the right medicine for every infection.

It is also used in some off-label settings, including certain protozoal infections and cutaneous larva migrans.

When a pharmacist suggests referral rather than substitution, it is usually because the suspected parasite needs a different treatment entirely.

Delivery across the United Kingdom

City	Region	Delivery time
London	Greater London	9–21 days
Birmingham	West Midlands	9–21 days
Manchester	North West England	9–21 days
Leeds	Yorkshire and the Humber	9–21 days
Glasgow	Scotland	9–21 days
Edinburgh	Scotland	9–21 days
Liverpool	North West England	9–21 days
Bristol	South West England	9–21 days
Sheffield	Yorkshire and the Humber	9–21 days
Newcastle upon Tyne	North East England	9–21 days
Nottingham	East Midlands	9–21 days
Southampton	South East England	9–21 days
Cardiff	Wales	9–21 days
Belfast	Northern Ireland	9–21 days