Almex 400mg Tablet

✔️ Uses of Almex 400mg Tablet

• Treatment of Parasitic worm infections

✔️ How does Almex 400mg Tablet work/

Almex 400mg Tablet works by decreasing the energy sources of the parasite. This medicine reduces the sugar and nutrient uptake of the parasite, making it weaker, and eventually killing it.

✔️ Side Effects of Almex 400mg Tablet

• Headache
• Dizziness
• Nausea and Vomiting
• Abdominal pain
• Hair loss or thinning of the hair
• Fever
• Low blood cell count
• Skin rash and itching
• Diarrhea

✔️ Quick Suggestions:

• Pregnancy: Do not take Albendazole if you are pregnant, as it can be harmful to the unborn baby. Use effective birth control measures during treatment with Albendazole to prevent pregnancy.
• Blood counts and liver function: Your doctor may monitor your blood cell count and liver function before starting Albendazole and regularly throughout your treatment. It helps ensure the medication is not causing any adverse effects on these parameters.
• Infection prevention: Avoid close contact with people who are sick or have infections. If you develop signs of infection, inform your doctor promptly.
• Completing the course: Take Albendazole as prescribed by your doctor and complete the full course, even if you start to feel better. Skipping doses or stopping the medication early may increase the risk of a recurring or persistent infection.
• Hand hygiene: Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water, especially after using the toilet and before eating.
• Food safety: Avoid eating raw or undercooked fish and meat. Cook meat thoroughly before consuming. Wash all fruits and vegetables properly before eating. Reheat or wash food that has been kept for a long time. Avoid contact with soil that may be contaminated with feces. Avoid consuming foods kept open in markets, as they can be contaminated.
• Water safety: Drink boiled and purified water to minimize the risk of infection.
• Monitoring during treatment: Regularly monitor your blood cell count and liver function as advised by your doctor while taking Almex 400mg Tablet.
• Infection risk: Almex 400mg Tablet may increase the chances of getting an infection. Practice good hygiene and try to avoid close contact with individuals who have infections, flu, or colds.
• Unusual bleeding or bruising: If you notice any unusual bleeding or bruising, consult your doctor, as Albendazole may increase the tendency to bleed or bruise easily.
• Viral infections: Remember that Albendazole will not treat viral infections such as the flu or the common cold.

✔️ Indication

Albendazole is used in the treatment of single or mixed intestinal infections caused by Enterobius vermicularis (Pinworm, Threadworm), Trichuris trichiura (Whipworm), Ascaris lumbricoides (Roundworm), Ancylostoma duodenale & Necator americanus (Hookworm), Taenia solium & Taenia saginata (Tapeworm), Strongyloides stercoralis. Albendazole is indicated in giardiasis in children over 2 years of age. Albendazole in higher doses is indicated for the treatment of hydatid disease.

✔️ Pharmacology

Almex 400 is a broad-spectrum anthelmintic medication that contains the active ingredient Albendazole. Albendazole exhibits various activities against parasites, including insecticidal, ovicidal, and larvicidal effects.

The primary mechanism of action of Albendazole as an anthelmintic is believed to involve the inhibition of glucose uptake by susceptible worms. This leads to a depletion of energy levels within the parasite, ultimately resulting in its immobilization and death. This effect is thought to occur through the binding of albendazole and its metabolites to parasite tubulin, which inhibits tubulin polymerization. It's important to note that albendazole also binds to human tubulin.

Albendazole is extensively metabolized, primarily in the liver. It is poorly absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract but undergoes rapid and extensive first-pass metabolism. One of the major metabolites of Albendazole is albendazole sulfoxide, which retains its anthelmintic activity. The half-life of albendazole sulfoxide in plasma is approximately 8.5 hours. Albendazole and its metabolites are excreted in the urine, along with other metabolites.

It's worth mentioning that the information provided here is a general overview and should not replace the specific instructions and advice given by your healthcare provider. If you have any concerns or questions about Almex 400 or its usage, it is recommended to consult with your doctor or pharmacist for personalized guidance.

✔️ Dosage & Administration of Almex 400mg Tablet

The recommended dosages of Albendazole for various parasitic infections are as follows:

For Adults & Children over 2 years:

• Enterobius vermicularis, Trichuris trichiura, Ascaris lumbricoides, Ancylostoma duodenale, and Necator americanus: A single dose of 400 mg (1 tablet or 10 ml suspension).
• Strongyloidiasis or taeniasis: 400 mg (1 tablet or 10 ml suspension) daily for 3 consecutive days. If not cured after three weeks, a second course of treatment may be necessary.

For Children of 1-2 years:

• A single dose of 200 mg (5 ml suspension).

For Children under 1 year:

• Albendazole is not recommended.

In Hydatid disease (Echinococcosis):

• For patients weighing over 60 kg: 400 mg (1 tablet) twice daily with meals for 28 days.
• For patients weighing less than 60 kg: A daily dose of 15 mg/kg body weight (up to a maximum total daily dose of 800 mg) in two divided doses.

For giardiasis:

• 400 mg (1 tablet or 10 ml suspension) once daily for five days.

When taking Almex 400mg Tablet, follow your physician's instructions. Swallow the tablet with a glass of water, without crushing or chewing it. If you are using a chewable tablet, chew it thoroughly before swallowing.

It's essential to complete the full course of therapy as prescribed by your doctor, even if your symptoms improve. Stopping the medication early may result in incomplete treatment and inadequate control of the infection.

Remember to consult your healthcare provider for personalized advice and dosage instructions based on your age, body weight, and the severity of the infection.

✔️ Interaction

Almex 400mg Tablet may interact with the following medications:

• Dexamethasone: Dexamethasone can increase the plasma levels of albendazole metabolites. Adjustments in the dosage may be required under a doctor's supervision when using these medications together.
• Cimetidine: Cimetidine may interact with albendazole, although the specific nature of the interaction is not mentioned. It is advisable to inform your doctor if you are taking cimetidine along with Almex 400mg Tablet.
• Theophylline: Theophylline may interact with albendazole, although the specific nature of the interaction is not mentioned. It is advisable to inform your doctor if you are taking theophylline along with Almex 400mg Tablet.
• Praziquantel: Praziquantel may increase the plasma concentrations of albendazole by 50%. Adjustments in the dosage may be necessary when using these medications together.

Regarding drug-food interactions, no specific interactions have been established for Almex 400mg Tablet.

Almex 400mg Tablet may also have interactions with certain diseases:

• Myelosuppression (bone marrow suppression): Inform your doctor if you have myelosuppression before taking Almex 400mg Tablet.
• Hepatobiliary dysfunction (liver and biliary disease): Inform your doctor if you have any liver or biliary disease before taking Almex 400mg Tablet.
• Neurological disorder: Inform your doctor if you have a neurological disorder before taking Almex 400mg Tablet.
• Kidney dysfunction: Inform your doctor if you have kidney dysfunction before taking Almex 400mg Tablet.

It is important to discuss your medical history and any ongoing treatments with your doctor before starting Almex 400mg Tablets to ensure their safe and effective use. Your doctor will be able to provide personalized advice and adjust the dosage or prescribe alternative medications if needed.

✔️ Contraindications

• If you are allergic to the Benzimidazole class of medicines like Mebendazole or any other components of Almex 400mg Tablet.
• Neonates: Albendazole is not normally used in neonates.
• Children: Reduction of the dose from 400 mg to 200 mg may be indicated in children weighing less than 10 kg but there are no grounds for a general reduction in dosage to children.
• Pregnant woman: Albendazole should not be given during pregnancy or to women thought to be pregnant. No information is available on placental transfer.
• Concurrent disease: There is no evidence to suggest that the dose should be altered in renal, hepatic, or cardiac failure.

✔️ Pregnancy & Lactation

Albendazole is classified by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as Pregnancy Category C. This means that it should be used during pregnancy or lactation only if the potential benefits to the mother outweigh the potential risks to the fetus or nursing infant.

Pregnancy Category C indicates that studies in animals have shown adverse effects on the fetus, but there are no adequate and well-controlled studies in pregnant women. Therefore, the use of albendazole in pregnant women should be carefully considered, and the potential risks and benefits should be discussed with a healthcare professional.

Similarly, caution should be exercised when using albendazole during breastfeeding, as it may pass into breast milk. The decision to use albendazole while breastfeeding should be made in consultation with a healthcare provider, considering the importance of the medication for the mother's health and the potential risks to the nursing infant.

It is important to follow the guidance of your healthcare provider and discuss any concerns or questions you may have regarding the use of albendazole during pregnancy or lactation. They will be able to provide you with the most appropriate advice based on your individual circumstances.

✔️ Precautions & Warnings

• Do not take Almex 400mg Tablet if you are allergic to any of its ingredients.
• Almex 400mg Tablet may cause bone marrow suppression, aplastic anemia, and agranulocytosis. These are serious conditions that affect blood cell production. Regular monitoring of blood cell counts is advised during treatment.
• Inform your doctor if you have a history of liver disease or if you are scheduled for any surgery, including dental surgery.
• Seek immediate medical attention if you experience seizures, vomiting, headache, extreme tiredness, or behavior changes while taking Almex 400mg Tablet.
• Almex 400mg Tabletmay increase the risk of infections. Practice good hygiene and avoid close contact with people who have infections, the flu, or colds.
• Consult your doctor if you notice unusual bleeding or bruising, as Almex 400mg Tablets may affect blood clotting.
• Almex 400mg Tablet should not be taken during pregnancy or if you are planning to become pregnant, as it may cause harm to the fetus. It is also not recommended during breastfeeding. Consult your doctor for appropriate alternatives.
• Almex 400mg Tablet may cause dizziness, so use caution when driving or operating machinery.
• Almex 400mg Tablet can be prescribed for children, but it should be done under the supervision of a doctor.

✔️ Storage Conditions

• It should be kept in a dry place at a temperature below 30°C
• Please protect it from light
• Keep it out of reach of children