Drug Class: Benzimidazole Carbamate Antiparasitic / Anthelmintic | Form: Oral Tablet | Prescription Status: Prescription Only (Rx) — DRAP Registered
What is Zentel 200mg Tablet? Zentel 200mg contains Albendazole — a broad-spectrum benzimidazole anthelmintic effective against a wide range of intestinal and tissue-invasive parasitic worm infections. Unlike older antiparasitic medicines with narrow spectrums, Albendazole is active against both the adult worm and larval stages of many helminths — making it effective for complex tissue-invasive infections like neurocysticercosis and hydatid disease that require systemic drug penetration beyond the gastrointestinal tract. Albendazole is also used in mass deworming programmes due to its broad coverage, good tolerability, and convenient single or short-course dosing for common intestinal worm infections. It must be taken with a fatty meal for optimal absorption — particularly important for tissue-invasive infections where adequate systemic drug levels are essential for treatment success. Always used under medical supervision for confirmed or clinically suspected parasitic infections.
What is Zentel 200mg Used For?
- Roundworm — Ascaris lumbricoides intestinal infection (آنتوں کے کیڑے — گول کیڑا)
- Pinworm / Threadworm — Enterobius vermicularis causing perianal itching (چھوٹے کیڑے — مقعد کے قریب خارش)
- Hookworm — Ancylostoma duodenale and Necator americanus infection (خونی کیڑے)
- Whipworm — Trichuris trichiura intestinal infection (کوڑے جیسے کیڑے)
- Tapeworm — Taenia species intestinal infection (فیتہ کیڑا)
- Neurocysticercosis — Taenia solium larval invasion of brain and nervous system under specialist supervision (دماغ میں کیڑوں کا انفیکشن)
- Hydatid disease — Echinococcus granulosus cyst disease of liver and lungs under specialist supervision
- Giardiasis — Giardia lamblia intestinal infection
- Strongyloidiasis — Strongyloides stercoralis infection
How Does it Work? Albendazole selectively inhibits tubulin polymerisation in parasitic cells — preventing formation of the cytoskeletal microtubule network essential for cellular structure and function. This disrupts glucose uptake and glycogen storage in the parasite — depleting energy reserves and causing progressive immobilisation and death of the worm. Albendazole's active metabolite Albendazole Sulphoxide achieves meaningful systemic concentrations after oral administration — allowing it to reach larval stages in tissues, cysts, and the central nervous system for treatment of tissue-invasive infections beyond the gastrointestinal tract. Parasite death and elimination occurs over hours to days following treatment depending on the species and infection location.
Dosage and Administration
⚠️ Always take with a fatty meal — fat significantly increases Albendazole absorption for systemic infections. For neurocysticercosis and hydatid disease always use under specialist supervision with appropriate anti-inflammatory cover. All household members and close contacts should be treated simultaneously for pinworm infection to prevent reinfection. Repeat dose after 2 weeks for pinworm to eliminate newly hatched worms.
| Indication | Usual Adult Dose | Duration | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Roundworm / Hookworm / Whipworm | 400mg (2 tablets) | Single dose | Take with fatty meal |
| Pinworm / Threadworm | 400mg (2 tablets) | Single dose — repeat after 2 weeks | Treat all household contacts simultaneously |
| Tapeworm | 400mg (2 tablets) | Single dose | Under medical supervision |
| Giardiasis | 400mg (2 tablets) | Once daily for 5 days | With fatty meal |
| Strongyloidiasis | 400mg (2 tablets) | Once daily for 3 days | Under medical supervision |
| Neurocysticercosis | 400mg (2 tablets) | Twice daily for 8 to 30 days | Specialist supervision — with corticosteroid cover |
| Hydatid disease | 400mg (2 tablets) | Twice daily for 28 days — 3 cycles | Specialist supervision — with 14-day drug-free intervals |
Active Ingredients
| Ingredient | Strength |
|---|---|
| Albendazole | 200mg per tablet |
Who Should NOT Take Zentel 200mg?
- Allergy to Albendazole, any benzimidazole antiparasitic, or any component of the tablet
- Pregnancy — Albendazole is teratogenic; strictly contraindicated throughout pregnancy
- Women of childbearing age not using effective contraception — pregnancy must be excluded before starting
- Severe liver impairment — Albendazole extensively hepatically metabolised; accumulation and hepatotoxicity risk
- Active liver disease — Albendazole can worsen hepatic condition
- Children under 1 year — safety not established
- Neurocysticercosis with ocular involvement — killing parasites in the eye can cause irreversible blindness; ophthalmological assessment mandatory before treatment
Side Effects
Common: Mild stomach discomfort, nausea, mild headache, mild dizziness — generally very well tolerated particularly for single-dose intestinal worm treatment. Temporary mild elevation of liver enzymes — usually reversible after stopping treatment.
Serious — Stop and seek emergency help immediately: Severe liver toxicity — significant yellowing of skin or eyes, severe upper right abdominal pain, extreme fatigue with dark urine (یرقان — فوری ہسپتال جائیں), severe allergic reaction — sudden widespread rash, swelling of face or throat, difficulty breathing (فوری مدد لیں), bone marrow suppression — unusual infections, significant bruising, extreme pallor suggesting blood count reduction with prolonged high-dose therapy (فوری ڈاکٹر کو بتائیں), seizures — particularly in neurocysticercosis treatment where dying parasites trigger inflammatory brain reactions (مرگی کے دورے — فوری ہسپتال جائیں), severe skin reactions — Stevens-Johnson syndrome with widespread blistering (فوری مدد لیں), alopecia — hair loss with prolonged high-dose treatment — usually reversible after stopping.
Drug Interactions
| Medicine | Interaction |
|---|---|
| Cimetidine | Significantly increases Albendazole Sulphoxide blood levels — increased efficacy but also increased side effect risk for systemic infections |
| Praziquantel | Increases Albendazole Sulphoxide blood levels — beneficial combination for certain complex parasitic infections under specialist supervision |
| Dexamethasone / Corticosteroids | Increase Albendazole Sulphoxide blood levels — used intentionally with corticosteroid cover in neurocysticercosis treatment |
| Rifampicin | Significantly reduces Albendazole blood levels — reduced antiparasitic effectiveness |
| Theophylline | Albendazole may inhibit Theophylline metabolism — monitor Theophylline levels |
| Antiepileptics (Phenytoin, Carbamazepine) | Reduce Albendazole blood levels through enzyme induction — reduced effectiveness for systemic infections |
| Oral contraceptives | Albendazole may reduce oral contraceptive effectiveness — additional contraception recommended during and after treatment |
| Fatty food | Not an interaction but a required administration condition — high-fat meal increases Albendazole absorption up to 5-fold for systemic infections |
| Alcohol (شراب) | Increases liver toxicity risk — avoid during treatment |
Storage: Store below 25°C in a cool, dry place. Protect from moisture and direct sunlight. Keep out of reach of children (بچوں کی پہنچ سے دور رکھیں). Do not use after expiry date.
FAQs
Q: Why must the entire family be treated simultaneously when one family member has pinworm? Pinworm spreads extremely easily through microscopic eggs deposited on surfaces, bedding, clothing, and food — reinfection from untreated household contacts is almost certain if only the affected individual is treated. Treating all household members simultaneously with a single Albendazole dose and repeating after 2 weeks eliminates the reinfection cycle. Simultaneous thorough washing of all bedding, towels, and clothing on the treatment day is equally important for complete eradication.
Q: Why is Zentel 200mg strictly contraindicated throughout pregnancy? Albendazole is teratogenic in animal studies — causing embryotoxicity and foetal abnormalities during the period of organogenesis. Although human data are limited, the risk is considered sufficient to absolutely contraindicate its use throughout pregnancy. Women of childbearing age must confirm negative pregnancy before starting Albendazole and use effective contraception during and for at least one month after completing treatment — particularly important for longer courses used for hydatid disease.
Q: Why must Zentel be taken with a fatty meal for systemic infections but not necessarily for simple intestinal worms? For simple intestinal worm infections like roundworm and pinworm, Albendazole acts locally within the gastrointestinal tract where even modest absorption is sufficient. For tissue-invasive infections like neurocysticercosis and hydatid disease, adequate systemic blood levels are essential to reach parasites in tissues and organs — and fat increases Albendazole bioavailability up to 5 times compared to fasting. Always take with a fatty meal for any infection requiring systemic drug penetration beyond the gut.
Medical Disclaimer: This information is for general awareness only and does not replace medical advice. Always consult a qualified doctor or pharmacist before taking any prescription medicine.