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Compare Albendazole vs. Praziquantel

Head-to-head comparisons of medication uses, side effects, warnings, and more.

  • Albendazole (Albenza)
    Praziquantel (Biltricide)
  • Albendazole (Albenza)
    Praziquantel (Biltricide)

  • Summary of Albendazole vs. Praziquantel

    Summary for Antiparasitic
    Prescription only

    Albendazole (Albenza) is a tablet that's used for the treatment of tapeworm infections in children and adults. It can't be purchased over the counter because it requires a prescription. Some side effects of albendazole (Albenza) include stomach pain, nausea, and vomiting. It's best to avoid alcohol while you're taking this medication to lower your risk of liver damage; both alcohol and albendazole (Albenza) can harm the liver.

    Summary for Antiparasitic agent
    Prescription only

    Praziquantel (Biltricide) is an anthelmintic medication for people ages 1 year and older. It treats certain infections caused by flukes. These parasitic worms are typically found in unclean drinking water or raw, infected freshwater fish. The medication is a tablet that's taken by mouth, usually 3 times for 1 day only. But dosing can differ depending on your prescriber's instructions. Praziquantel (Biltricide) for humans is safe to take and is prescription only. Some side effects include feeling tired, headache, dizziness, and stomach discomfort.

  • Indications of Albendazole vs. Praziquantel

    Indications for
    •Tapeworm infection that causes cysts in body organs
    •Tapeworm infection affecting the brain
    Indications for
    •Treatment of blood fluke infections (schistosomiasis) in people ages 1 year and older
    •Treatment of liver fluke infections (clonorchiasis or opisthorchiasis) in people ages 1 year and older

  • Pros and Cons of Albendazole vs. Praziquantel

    Pros and Const for Antiparasitic
    Pros
    •Works well to treat certain types of tapeworm infections
    •Can be swallowed whole, chewed, or crushed
    •Can use for children and adults
    •Interacts with very few medications
    Cons
    •Might need to take it for a long time (weeks to months)
    •Can cause liver damage
    •Requires bloodwork to check for side effects
    •Might not be safe in pregnancy
    Pros and Const for Antiparasitic agent
    Pros
    •Works well to treat most types of blood flukes in people
    •The only FDA-approved medication for treating liver flukes in people
    •Option to crush tablets and mix with soft food or liquid
    Cons
    •Tablets taste bitter and could make you gag or vomit
    •Higher risk of side effects in people with liver problems
    •Interacts with many medications and grapefruit juice

  • Common Side Effects of Albendazole vs. Praziquantel

    Common Side Effects for

    Treatment of tapeworm infections that cause cysts in body organs:

    •Changes to liver blood tests (16%)
    •Stomach pain (6%)
    •Nausea (4%)
    •Vomiting (4%)

    Treatment of tapeworm infections affecting the brain:

    •Headache (11%)
    •Nausea (6%)
    •Vomiting (6%)
    Common Side Effects for
    •Feeling tired
    •Headache
    •Dizziness
    •Stomach discomfort
    •Nausea
    •Itchiness
    •Drowsiness
    •Fever

  • Warnings of Albendazole vs. Praziquantel

    Common Side Effects for
    •Low blood cell counts
    •Harm to unborn babies
    •High pressure in the brain and seizures (for tapeworm infections affecting the brain)
    •Risk of further eye damage (if the tapeworm infection also affects the eyes)
    •Liver damage
    •Tapeworm infections causing cysts in body organs that unknowingly also affect the brain
    Common Side Effects for
    •Suddenly feeling very sick in people with blood fluke infection (schistosomiasis)
    •Brain and nervous system problems
    •Higher likelihood of side effects in people with liver problems
    •Heart rhythm problems
    •Drug interactions

  • Prices with our coupons for Albendazole vs. Praziquantel

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