ANTHELMINTICS









Albendazole (Albenza®)

Dosage forms

Tablet
  • 200 mg ($$ for #2)

Dosing

Pediatric
  • NOTE: Albendazole is approved in children ≥ 6 years of age. In studies, it has been used in children as young as one year at doses between 10 - 15 mg/kg/day [PMID 15602190, 12915835, 9726343]
Adult

Other

  • Take with food
  • Tablets may be crushed or chewed
  • May cause bone marrow suppression. Monitor CBC every 2 weeks while on continuous therapy.
  • May cause hepatotoxicity. Monitor LFTs every 2 weeks while on continuous therapy.
  • Kidney disease - undergoes negligible kidney excretion; no dose adjustment necessary

Ivermectin | Stromectol® | Sklice® | Soolantra®

Dosage forms

Tablet (Stromectol®)
  • 3 mg ($)
Lotion (Sklice®)
  • 0.5% ($$$$)
Cream (Soolantra®)
  • 1% ($$$$)

Dosing

Pediatric
Adult
Topical therapy (Sklice®)
  • Lice - Apply to dry hair and scalp. Leave on for 10 minutes then rinse with water. Approved for patients ≥ 6 months. (PI)
Topical therapy (Soolantra®)
  • Rosacea - Apply to affected areas of the face once daily. Use a pea-size amount for each area of the face (forehead, chin, nose, each cheek) that is affected. Spread as a thin layer, avoiding the eyes and lips. (PI)

Efficacy

Other


NOTE: Ivermectin is approved for patients ≥ 5 years but has been used in trials in patients ≥ 2 years who weigh at least 15kg [PMID 20220184]
Dosing chart for 200 mcg/kg doses
Body weight (kg) Number of 3 mg tablets of ivermectin
15 - 24 1
25 - 35 2
36 - 50 3
51 - 65 4
66 - 79 5
≥ 80 200 mcg/kg
  • When taken with food, absorption is increased two-fold. Manufacturer recommends drug be taken on an empty stomach. Some experts recommend taking with food since studies have shown higher doses are safe and may be more effective [1,2]
  • Ivermectin tablets may be crushed and mixed with applesauce
  • Kidney disease - no dose adjustment necessary

Mebendazole (Emverm®)

Dosage form

Chewable tablet
  • 100 mg ($$$$)

Dosing

Pediatric (> 2 years)
Adult

Other

  • The tablet may be chewed, swallowed, or crushed and mixed with food
  • If the patient is not cured three weeks after treatment, a second course of treatment is advised

Praziquantel (Biltricide®)

Dosage form

Tablet
  • 600 mg ($$$$)

S

Dosing

Pediatric
  • NOTE: praziquantel is approved in children ≥ 4 years of age. In studies, it has been used in children younger than 4 years at doses of 40 mg/kg [PMID 23236526]
Adult

Other

  • Take with food
  • Swallow tablets whole if able. Tablets have bitter taste.
  • Praziquantel undergoes extensive CYP liver metabolism (CYP3A4, CYP1A2, CYP2C19). Strong CYP inducers and inhibitors may affect blood levels of praziquantel. Rifampin should not be taken with praziquantel.
  • Kidney disease - no dose adjustment necessary



Pricing legend
  • $ = 0 - $50
  • $$ = $51 - $100
  • $$$ = $101 - $150
  • $$$$ = > $150
  • Pricing based on one month of therapy at standard dosing in an adult
  • Pricing based on information from GoodRX.com®
  • Pricing may vary by region and availability