Albendazole
“This page provides important general information for pet owners whose animals have been prescribed Albendazole for pets in Perth during a consultation by Dr Noor.”
Albendazole for pets
(al-ben-da-zol)
Description:
This medicine is used to treat parasites.
Other Names for this Medication:
- Albenza®
- Valbazen®
Common Dosage Forms:
- For animals: a liquid by mouth that contains 113.6 mg in each mL.
- For people: 200 mg tablets.
This handout does not include every piece of information that exists for this medicine. It is meant to help with common questions, but it does not replace medical guidance. If you still have questions or want more details about this medicine, speak with your veterinarian or your pharmacist.
Key Information
- This is a parasite-killing medicine given by mouth and used in more than one type of animal.
- You may give it with food or without food. If your animal throws up or seems unwell after getting it on an empty stomach, give the next dose with food or a small treat. If the throwing up does not stop, contact your veterinarian.
- In small pets, the main worry is possible harm to the liver or damage to the bone marrow (the tissue inside bones that makes blood cells).
How is this medication useful?
- Albendazole for pets can be used to treat certain parasite infections in pets (for example, dogs, cats, and rabbits), in cattle that are not producing milk, in sheep, in goats, and in large birds that do not fly (for example, ostriches and emus).
- If albendazole is used in animals raised for food, there must be a set amount of time to wait before the animal can be slaughtered. You and your veterinarian can talk about why this medicine is the best option.
What should I tell my veterinarian to see if this medication can be safely given?
Many factors can change how well this medicine works for your animal. Talk with your veterinarian about the points below so you can make treatment choices together.
- Some medicines can affect how albendazole works. Tell your veterinarian and pharmacist about everything your animal receives, including other medicines, vitamins, supplements, or herbal products. Also share how much you give and when you give each one.
- Tell your veterinarian about any health problems your animal has now, or has had before.
- If your animal has been treated before for the same illness or problem, tell your veterinarian what was used and whether it helped or did not help.
- If your animal is pregnant or nursing, discuss the possible risks of using this medicine.
- Tell your veterinarian and pharmacist about any side effects your animal has had from medicines in the past, including allergic reactions, not wanting to eat, loose stool, itching, or hair loss.
How long until I will know if this medication is working, and how long will the effects of this medication last?
- You usually need to give multiple doses before you notice a change.
- The full benefit may not be clear until your animal has taken it regularly for several weeks. However, you should see your animal’s signs improve little by little as the medicine builds to full effect.
- This medicine has a medium-length effect. This means it may continue working for a few days. The helpful effects may last longer if your animal’s kidneys and/or liver are not working as well.
When should this medication not be used or be used very carefully?
No medicine is completely safe for every patient. Your veterinarian will talk with you about any concerns that apply to your animal.
This drug SHOULD NOT be used in animals:
If your animal has any of these issues, discuss the possible risks and benefits with your veterinarian.
- That are allergic to it.
This drug should be used WITH CAUTION in:
- That have liver disease.
- That have diseases affecting the blood.
- Pregnant or nursing animals.
- Alpacas, especially babies and juveniles.
- Doves or pigeons. These birds may develop severe poisoning from this medicine.
What are the side effects of this medication?
Side effects that usually are not serious include:
You do not need to be extremely worried if you notice either of these signs unless they are strong, get worse, or do not go away. If that happens, contact your veterinarian.
- Reduced interest in food.
- Mild sleepiness or low energy.
Side effects that may be serious or indicate a serious problem:
If you notice any of the signs below, contact your veterinarian immediately.
- Bleeding, bruising, not wanting to eat, or getting tired easily.
- Throwing up, severe diarrhea or diarrhea with blood, not wanting to eat.
- Yellow color in the whites of the eyes, skin, or gums (this is called jaundice).
- Seizures (convulsions).
- Major behavior changes (for example, acting as if blind, or pressing the head against objects).
If my animal gets too much of this medication (an overdose), what should I do?
- If you see an overdose happen, or you think one may have happened, contact your veterinarian or an animal poison control center right away for instructions.
How should this medication be given?
- For this medicine to work properly, give it exactly the way your veterinarian directed. It is helpful to read the prescription label each time so you confirm you are giving it correctly.
- Albendazole for pets can be given with food or without food. If your animal throws up or seems unwell after getting it on an empty stomach, give the next dose with food or a small treat. If the throwing up continues, contact your veterinarian.
- If you are using the liquid form, shake it well before you measure the dose.
- Liquid versions must be measured accurately. Your veterinarian or pharmacist can provide special measuring spoons or dosing syringes.
- If giving the medicine is difficult, contact your veterinarian or pharmacist for ways to make dosing easier and to lower stress during medicine time.
- This medicine may be prescribed for different lengths of time. Make sure you understand how long your veterinarian wants your animal to keep taking it.
- You may need prescription refills before the full course is finished.
- Do not stop this medicine without speaking to your veterinarian first, because there may be important reasons to keep going.
What should I do if I miss giving a dose of this medication?
- If you forget a dose, give it as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for the next dose, do not give the missed one; give only the next scheduled dose.
- After that, go back to the normal schedule.
- Do not give two doses at once and do not give extra doses.
How should I store this medication?
- Keep this medicine in the original prescription container at normal room temperature.
- Do not let the liquid form freeze.
- If your veterinarian or pharmacist has prepared a custom-made version (a compounded product) for your animal, follow the storage directions and the expiration date provided for that product.
- Store it where children and other animals cannot reach it.
Can handling this medication be hazardous to me, my family, or other animals?
- No special handling steps are needed unless you are allergic to this medicine.
- Wash your hands after you handle any medicine.
How should I dispose of this medication if I don’t use it all?
- Do not put this medicine into the toilet and do not pour it into a sink.
- If your area has a community medicine “take-back” program, use that option.
- If there is no take-back program, combine the medicine with used coffee grounds or cat litter so it is unpleasant to children and animals and not recognizable to people who might search through trash.
- Put that mixture into a sealable plastic bag so it cannot leak, and then throw the bag away with your household trash.
- Do not keep leftover medicine to use later, and do not give it to anyone else.
What other information is important for this medication?
- When this medicine is used in food animals (for example, cattle, goats, sheep, or pigs), there may be required waiting times related to drug residue in meat or milk. Your veterinarian can tell you how long milk must be thrown away or how long you must wait before slaughter.
- This medicine may not be permitted in some animal competitions. Check the rules before entering your animal in a competition while this medicine is being given.
- If you have more questions about this medicine, contact your veterinarian or pharmacist.
“Disclaimer: The information on this page is provided as general educational material only. Every animal’s health situation is unique, and treatment decisions must be based on a full veterinary assessment. Always follow the specific instructions given during your consultation, and contact the prescribing veterinarian if you have any concerns.”