Albendazole
Albendazolum
Also known as: Valbazen Β· Albenza Β· Albendazolum Β· SKF-62979
Reviewed by the VetSheet Veterinary TeamUpdated Apr 5, 2026Evidence-based veterinary reference
Doses are a clinical reference for licensed veterinary professionals. Always confirm against the current label and the individual patient.
Dosing by species
π NA β North Americaπ EU β Europe
Dogs
| Indication | Dose | Route | Frequency | Duration | Region |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Filaroides hirthi infections | 50 mg/kg q12h PO for 5 days; repeat in 21 days. | PO | q12h | 5 days | π NA |
| Filaroides hirthi or Oslerus osleri infections | 25 mg/kg PO q12h for 5 days; may repeat in 2 weeks | PO | q12h | 5 days | π NA |
| Filaroides osleri (Oslerus osleri) infections | 9.5 mg/kg for 55 days or 25 mg/kg PO twice daily for 5 days. Repeat therapy in 2 weeks. | PO | q12h | 5 or 55 days | π NA |
| Capillaria plica | 50 mg/kg q12h for 10-14 days. | PO | q12h | 10-14 days | π NA |
| Paragonimus kellicotti | 25 mg/kg PO q12h for 14 days | PO | q12h | 14 days | π NA |
| Giardia | 25 mg/kg PO twice daily for 5 days | PO | q12h | 5 days | π NA |
| Giardia | 25 mg/kg PO twice daily for 2-5 days | PO | q12h | 2-5 days | π NA |
| Leishmaniasis | 10 mg/kg PO once daily for 30 days or 5 mg/kg PO q6h for 60 days | PO | q24h or q6h | 30 or 60 days | π NA |
- Filaroides hirthi infections: Clinical signs may suddenly worsen during therapy, presumably due to a reaction to worm death.
- Capillaria plica: May cause anorexia.
Cats
| Indication | Dose | Route | Frequency | Duration | Region |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Paragonimus kellicotti | 25 mg/kg PO q12h for 14 days | PO | q12h | 14 days | π NA |
| Giardia | 25 mg/kg PO q12h for 3-5 days | PO | q12h | 3-5 days | π NA |
| Liver flukes (Platynosum or Opisthorchiidae families) | 50 mg/kg PO once daily until ova are gone | PO | q24h | Until ova are gone | π NA |
- Giardia: May cause bone marrow suppression in dogs and cats.
Small Mammals
| Indication | Dose | Route | Frequency | Duration | Region |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Encephalitozoon phacoclastic uveitis in Rabbits | 30 mg/kg PO once daily for 30 days, then 15 mg/kg PO once daily for 30 days | PO | q24h | 60 days total | π NA |
| E. cuniculi in Rabbits | 20 mg/kg PO once daily for 10 days. | PO | q24h | 10 days | π NA |
| Giardia in Chinchillas | 50-100 mg/kg PO once a day for 3 days | PO | q24h | 3 days | π NA |
Birds
| Indication | Dose | Route | Frequency | Duration | Region |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flagellate parasites and tapeworms in Ratites | 1 mL/22 kg of body weight twice daily for 3 days; repeat in 2 weeks. | PO | q12h | 3 days | π NA |
- Flagellate parasites and tapeworms in Ratites: Using the suspension.
Cattle
| Indication | Dose | Route | Frequency | Duration | Region |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Susceptible parasites | 10 mg/kg PO | PO | Single dose | β | π NA |
| Adult liver flukes | 7.5 mg/kg PO; 15 mg/kg PO for adult liver flukes | PO | Single dose | β | π NA |
| Adult liver flukes | 10 mg/kg PO | PO | Single dose | β | π NA |
| Gastrointestinal cestodes | 10 mg/kg PO | PO | Single dose | β | π NA |
- Adult liver flukes: Best used in fall when the majority are adults (little or no efficacy against immature forms). A second treatment in winter may be beneficial.
Swine
| Indication | Dose | Route | Frequency | Duration | Region |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Susceptible parasites | 5-10 mg/kg PO | PO | Single dose | β | π NA |
Sheep
| Indication | Dose | Route | Frequency | Duration | Region |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Susceptible parasites | 7.5 mg/kg PO (0.75 mL of the suspension per 25 lb. body weight). | PO | Single dose | β | π NA |
| Adult liver flukes | 7.5 mg/kg PO; 15 mg/kg PO for adult liver flukes | PO | Single dose | β | π NA |
| Adult liver flukes | 7.6 mg/kg | PO | Single dose | β | π NA |
| Nematodes | 3 mL of suspension per 100 lbs of body weight PO | PO | Single dose | β | π NA |
Goats
| Indication | Dose | Route | Frequency | Duration | Region |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Susceptible parasites | 7.5 mg/kg PO (0.75 mL of the suspension per 25 lb. body weight). | PO | Single dose | β | π NA |
| Adult liver flukes | 7.5 mg/kg PO; 15 mg/kg PO for adult liver flukes | PO | Single dose | β | π NA |
Doses are a clinical reference for licensed veterinary professionals. Always confirm against the current label and the individual patient.
Overview
Albendazole is a broad-spectrum benzimidazole anthelmintic used in veterinary medicine to treat a wide variety of internal parasites, including βnematodes (roundworms)β, βcestodes (tapeworms)β, βtrematodes (flukes)β, and certain βprotozoa (e.g., Giardia)β.
- Food Animal Use: FDA-approved for use in cattle and sheep (suspension form) for various endoparasites.
- Small Animal Use: Used extra-label for specific infections (e.g., Paragonimus, Filaroides, Giardia). However, its use in dogs and cats has significantly declined due to the risk of bone marrow toxicity (aplastic anemia) and hepatic dysfunction. Safer alternatives like fenbendazole are often preferred for small animals.
- Exotics: Used extra-label in small mammals, birds, and reptiles, though toxicity has been noted in certain species (e.g., pigeons, doves, and alpaca crias).
Mechanism of action
Albendazole exerts its antiparasitic effects by binding selectively to parasite βΞ²-tubulinβ β prevents tubulin polymerization β inhibits microtubule formation.
- This disruption halts intracellular microtubular transport systems and cell division.
- At higher concentrations, it disrupts metabolic pathways by inhibiting key enzymes like malate dehydrogenase and fumarate reductase β impairs glucose uptake and ATP production β leads to parasite starvation and death.
Safety & warnings
Contraindications
- Hepatic failure
- Early pregnancy (teratogenic/embryotoxic)
- Lactating dairy cattle (of breeding age)
- Pigeons and doves (susceptible to toxicity)
- Alpaca crias (high risk of fatal neutropenia and sepsis)
Adverse effects
- Anorexia
- Lethargy and depression
- Vomiting and diarrhea
- Hepatic dysfunction
- Blood dyscrasias (aplastic anemia, neutropenia)
Precautions
Pregnancy Warning: Teratogenic and embryotoxic in early pregnancy. Do not administer to female cattle during the first 45 days of pregnancy or for 45 days after removal of bulls. In sheep, do not administer during the first 30 days of pregnancy or for 30 days after removal of rams.
- Bone Marrow Suppression: Has been implicated in causing aplastic anemia in dogs, cats, and humans. Use with extreme caution in small animals.
- Species Sensitivities: Pigeons, doves, and alpaca crias are highly susceptible to toxicity (intestinal crypt epithelial necrosis, bone marrow hypoplasia, fatal neutropenia).
- Hepatic/Hematologic Disease: Use with caution in patients with pre-existing liver or hematologic diseases.
Drug interactions
Increased albendazole levels in bile and cystic fluid
May increase albendazole serum levels
May increase albendazole serum levels
Monitoring
- Clinical efficacy (fecal exams)
- Adverse effects (especially if used in non-FDA-approved species or at high dosages)
- CBCs and liver enzymes (q4-6 weeks) if treating long-term (>1 month)
Pharmacokinetics
Absorption
Thought to be better absorbed orally than other benzimidazoles. In sheep, the parent compound is either not detectable or only transiently detectable in plasma due to a very rapid first-pass effect.
Distribution
Reaches bile and cystic fluid.
Metabolism
Rapidly metabolized via first-pass effect into active metabolites: albendazole sulphoxide and albendazole sulfone. In sheep, these reach peak plasma concentrations 20 hours after dosing.
Elimination
Approximately 47% of an oral dose is recovered (as metabolites) in the urine over a 9-day period.
Overdose
Albendazole has a relatively wide margin of safety in ruminants, but massive overdoses are fatal.
- Cattle: Doses of 300 mg/kg (30X recommended) have caused death. Doses of 45 mg/kg (4.5X recommended) did not cause adverse effects.
- Sheep: Doses of 200 mg/kg (20X recommended) have caused death.
- Cats: Receiving 100 mg/kg/day for 14-21 days showed signs of weight loss, neutropenia, and mental dullness.
Available products
Formulations
- Oral suspension
- Oral paste
- Oral tablets
Veterinary
- Albendazole Suspension: 113.6 mg/mL (11.36%) in 500 mL, 1 liter, 5 liters; Valbazen Suspension
- Albendazole Paste: 30% in 205 g (7.2 oz); Valbazen
Human-labeled
- Albendazole Oral Tablets: 200 mg; Albenza
Regulatory status
No regulatory data for: πΊπΈ US Β· πͺπΊ EU Β· π¬π§ UK Β· ππ° HK Β· πΉπΌ TW Β· π―π΅ JP Β· π°π· KR Β· π¦πΊ AU
Storage & stability
Store suspension and paste at controlled room temperature (15-30Β°C); protect from freezing. Shake suspension well before using.
Client information
Important: Give this medication exactly as prescribed by your veterinarian.
- Administration: Shake liquid suspensions well before measuring the dose.
- Pregnancy Warning: Do not use in pregnant animals unless explicitly directed by your veterinarian, as it can cause severe birth defects.
- What to Watch For: Contact your veterinarian immediately if your pet develops vomiting, severe diarrhea, extreme lethargy, or a yellowish tint to the gums, skin, or whites of the eyes (jaundice).
VetSheet drug reference is intended for licensed veterinary professionals as a clinical decision-support aid, not a substitute for professional judgement or the manufacturerβs current label.