What is the mechanism of action of Albendazole?

Description

Albendazole (ABZ), a member of the benzimidazole family of drugs, is marketed under the brand name ALBENZA by Amedra Pharmaceuticals. It is an effective antihelmintic drug with significant antitumor activity in hepatocellular cancer[1].

Albendazole Hydrochloride

According to the Biopharmaceutics Classification System (BCS), ABZ is a class II drug with low solubility (9 mg L?1) and high permeability (log?P 2.54). Albendazole hydrochloride, a soluble pharmaceutical salt, is used to improve solubility and enhance oral absorption[2].

Mechanism of Action

Albendazole sulfoxide, the active metabolite of Albendazole, causes selective degeneration of cytoplasmic microtubules in intestinal helminths and larvae. It inhibits microtubule polymerization by binding to the B-tubulin subunit, leading to energy depletion and parasite immobilization[3].

Side Effects

Common side effects of albendazole include headaches, elevated liver enzymes, abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, and fever. Some patients may experience hypersensitivity reactions, hives, pruritus, alopecia, and telogen effluvium, which usually reverse after treatment completion[4].

References

[1] Bolla, Geetha and Ashwini Nangia. “Novel pharmaceutical salts of albendazole?.” CrystEngComm 41 (2018): 6394–6405.

[2] Agustina Bongioanni. “Investigating a Soluble Pharmaceutical Salt: Albendazole Hydrochloride.” Crystal Growth Design 19 8 (2019): 4538–4545.