Almex 400 mg Tablet

Broad-spectrum deworming medicine for:

• Roundworm, hookworm, whipworm, threadworm (pinworm) infections
• Strongyloidiasis, tapeworm infections
• Hydatid disease (echinococcosis) and neurocysticercosis — long courses under specialist care
• Mass deworming programmes in children

Adults and children over 2 years:

• Roundworm, hookworm, whipworm, pinworm: 400 mg single dose (repeat after 2 weeks for pinworm; treat the whole family).
• Strongyloidiasis / tapeworm: 400 mg once daily for 3 days.

Children 1–2 years: 200 mg single dose.

Hydatid disease / neurocysticercosis: 15 mg/kg/day (max 800 mg) in 2 doses for 8–30 days, in cycles, as directed by a specialist.

• Chew or crush the tablet; take with food (a fatty meal improves absorption for tissue infections).

• Allergy to albendazole or other benzimidazoles (mebendazole)
• Pregnancy (especially the first trimester)

Single dose (common worms): usually mild — stomach pain, nausea, diarrhoea, headache, dizziness.

Long courses: raised liver enzymes, hair loss (reversible), low white blood cells, fever.

Neurocysticercosis: headache, seizures, raised brain pressure from dying cysts (steroids are often given).

Rare: severe skin reactions, allergic reactions.

• Women of childbearing age should avoid pregnancy during treatment and for 1 month after.
• Long courses: blood counts and liver tests every 2 weeks.
• Eye examination before treating neurocysticercosis (retinal cysts).

Contraindicated in the first trimester; avoid in pregnancy unless clearly needed (mass programmes may use it in the 2nd–3rd trimester). Single dose generally acceptable while breastfeeding.

• Dexamethasone, praziquantel, cimetidine (increase albendazole levels)
• Carbamazepine, phenytoin, phenobarbital (reduce levels)

Stomach upset, dizziness; treat symptoms.

Store below 30°C, protected from light.