Loxcell (Albendazole)

Active Ingredient: Albendazole
Dosage: 400 mg
Route of Administration: Oral
Dosage Form: Tablets
Quantity per package: 10, 20, 30 per pack

Loxcell (Albendazole) is applied as the therapy of neurocysticercosis. It is an infection caused by the pork tapeworm in the muscles, brain, and eyes. They may cause seizures, brain swelling, and vision problems. This preparation is also applied during with surgical operations to treat cystic hydatid disease (infection caused by the dog tapeworm in the liver, lung, and lining of the abdomen that may damage these organs). This drug belongs to the group of anthelmintics.

Loxcell is not available at the moment but you can purchase its complete analog on this page.

Indications

Loxcell (Albendazole) is used in the treatment of:

• echinococcosis of the peritoneum, lungs and liver;
• neurocysticercosis;
• intragastric, arachnoid and racemic cysts;
• trichoneosis;
• ascariasis;
• hookworm;
• enterobiosis;
• opisthorchiasis;
• giardiasis;
• toxocariasis;
• microsporidosis;
• trichinosis;
• capillarose;
• gnatostomosis.

In addition, the drug is used in the treatment of cystic echinococcosis, when surgical treatment is contraindicated or before surgery to reduce the number of cysts.

Dosage and administration

Loxcell is taken after meals with plenty of water. The dosage of the drug depends on the type of helminth. When taking these tablets, laxatives are not prescribed since this will facilitate the most rapid removal of the drug from the patient’s digestive tract and reduce the effectiveness of the drug. In the treatment of conventional helminthiases, Loxcell is prescribed once for adults at a dosage of 400 mg, for children – 60 mg per 10 kg of body weight. In the treatment of cysticercosis of the brain, the drug is taken by adults at a dosage of 800 mg, children – 15 mg per kg of body weight from 8 to 30 days. In the treatment of strongyloidosis, giardiasis and cestodosis, 400 mg or 200 mg are taken for 3 days, it is recommended to repeat treatment after 3 weeks.
In the treatment of ascariasis, enterobiasis and hookworm, the drug is taken once at a dosage of 400 mg or 200 mg, treatment is repeated after 3 weeks.

Contraindications

The main contraindications for the use of Loxcell tablets are age under two years, hypersensitivity to albendazole, lactation and pregnancy.

The drug is used with caution in:

• cirrhosis of the liver;
• retinal damage caused by cysticercosis;
• violation of bone marrow hematopoiesis.

Side effects

• Immune system: hypersensitivity reactions, including rash, itching and urticaria;
• Nervous system: headache and dizziness;
• Gastrointestinal tract: symptoms from the upper gastrointestinal tract (e.g., epigastric pain, nausea, vomiting) and diarrhea;
• Digestive system: increased levels of liver enzymes;
• Skin and subcutaneous tissue: polymorphic erythema, Stevens-Johnson syndrome. Side effects that occur with prolonged treatment of systemic helminth infections;
• Blood system and lymphatic system: leukopenia, pancytopenia, aplastic anemia, agranulocytosis;
• Immune system: hypersensitivity reactions, including rash, itching and urticaria;
• Nervous system: headache, dizziness;
• Gastrointestinal tract: gastrointestinal disorders (abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting). These phenomena are associated with treatment with albendazole in patients with echinococcosis;
• Digestive system: increased levels of liver enzymes of mild and moderate degree, hepatitis;
• Skin and subcutaneous tissue: alopecia (thinning of hair and moderate hair loss), polymorphic erythema, Stevens-Johnson syndrome;
• Common disorders: fever.

Overdose

In acute overdose with Loxcell, a significant increase in side effects is observed. When taking the drug in high doses, patients develop dyspeptic disorders, dizziness, headaches, increased activity of liver enzymes, abdominal pain. In especially severe cases, an acute violation of the kidneys is possible.

To reduce the toxic effect of the drug, the patient’s stomach is washed, a large amount of liquid, salt laxatives and enterosorbents are prescribed.

Interaction

If you are taking any other medicines, be sure to inform your doctor!

The concentration of albendazole metabolites in the blood is increased by dexamethasone, cimetidine and praziquantel.

Albendazole is an inducer of microsomal enzymes of cytochrome P450; it accelerates the metabolism of many drugs.

Long-term use of albendazole inhibits the N-demethylation of aminopyrine and leads to a gradual decrease in the concentration of albendazole sulfoxide, which is caused by an increase in sulfonation.