# Albendazole in Nigeria

Albendazole has 33 active NAFDAC registrations in our October 2026 copy of the register, from 25 registration holders; 43 further listings have lapsed.

- Source: https://ogbogwu.com/drugs/albendazole/
- Drug class: Benzimidazole anthelmintic (Antiparasitics)
- Also known as: Zentel, Alben
- Prescription required: no
- On the WHO Model List of Essential Medicines
- Last updated: October 2026

## Price in Nigeria

As of October 2026, Albendazole sells for about ₦1,488 for tablets online in Nigeria (Zentel, Zolat, Tanzol) at three online pharmacies; syrup ₦1,150–₦1,900. The online price is roughly unchanged since July 2026. Open-market prices (e.g. Idumota, Ogbogwu) are often lower.

## What is Albendazole?

Albendazole is the most widely used deworming medication in Nigeria and one of the most important public health drugs in the country. Intestinal worm infections are extremely common in Nigeria, particularly among children, due to factors such as poor sanitation, contaminated water sources, open defecation, and walking barefoot on contaminated soil. Albendazole is a benzimidazole anthelmintic — a class of drugs that kills parasitic worms by disrupting their ability to absorb glucose, which starves and eventually kills them. It is the drug of choice for mass deworming campaigns conducted by the Federal Ministry of Health and various state governments across Nigeria, especially in primary schools.

Albendazole works by binding to a protein called beta-tubulin in the cells of parasitic worms, preventing them from forming the structures they need to absorb nutrients. Without glucose, the worms cannot survive and are eventually expelled from the body. Albendazole is effective against a broad spectrum of intestinal worms including roundworms (Ascaris lumbricoides), hookworms (Ancylostoma duodenale and Necator americanus), whipworms (Trichuris trichiura), threadworms or pinworms (Enterobius vermicularis), and tapeworms. This broad-spectrum activity is what makes it ideal for mass deworming programs where multiple types of worm infections may be present simultaneously.

In Nigeria, albendazole is available under popular brand names including Zentel (by GlaxoSmithKline) and several generic versions from manufacturers like Swiss Pharma and Julphar. It is sold over the counter in pharmacies and patent medicine stores nationwide at very affordable prices. The tablets are often chewable, making them easy to administer to children during school-based deworming exercises. The World Health Organization lists albendazole as an essential medicine and recommends regular deworming every 6 months in areas where worm infections are common — a recommendation that is particularly relevant for most communities across Nigeria.

## What is Albendazole used for?

- Treatment of roundworm infection (ascariasis) — the most common worm infection in Nigeria
- Treatment of hookworm infection — common in rural areas where people walk barefoot on contaminated soil
- Treatment of whipworm infection (trichuriasis)
- Treatment of threadworm/pinworm infection (enterobiasis) — common in children
- Treatment of tapeworm infection (taeniasis)
- Mass deworming programs in schools and communities as recommended by the WHO and Nigerian Federal Ministry of Health
- Treatment of strongyloidiasis and other soil-transmitted helminth infections

## Dosage

Always follow a doctor's or pharmacist's instructions; this is general reference information.

- Adults: For most intestinal worm infections: a single dose of 400mg (one tablet), which may be repeated after 2 to 3 weeks if needed. For tapeworm and strongyloides: 400mg once daily for 3 days. For routine deworming: 400mg as a single dose every 3 to 6 months. Tablets may be chewed, swallowed whole, or crushed and mixed with food.
- Children: Children over 2 years: 400mg as a single dose (same as adults) for most worm infections. Children aged 1-2 years: 200mg as a single dose. For children who cannot swallow tablets, albendazole suspension (200mg/5ml) is available — give 10ml for a 400mg dose. Chewable tablets are also widely used in school-based deworming programs. Children under 1 year: consult a doctor before use.
- Elderly: Standard adult dose of 400mg applies. No dose adjustment is typically necessary for elderly patients with normal liver and kidney function.

Albendazole can be taken with or without food, but absorption is improved when taken with a fatty meal. For routine deworming, the WHO recommends treatment every 6 months in endemic areas like Nigeria. Many Nigerian families deworm every 3 months as a precaution, especially for school-age children. It is a good practice to deworm the entire family at the same time to prevent reinfection. If you see worms in your stool after taking albendazole, this is normal and means the medication is working.

## Side effects

Common: Mild stomach pain or discomfort — usually temporary and related to the dying worms; Nausea or vomiting; Headache; Dizziness; Diarrhoea — may occur as worms are expelled from the body.

Serious (seek medical help immediately): Liver problems (hepatotoxicity) — rare, mainly with prolonged high-dose use; symptoms include yellowing of the skin or eyes, dark urine, and severe fatigue; Bone marrow suppression — very rare, mainly with prolonged use; may cause unusual tiredness, easy bruising, or frequent infections; Severe allergic reaction — very rare; seek emergency help if you develop swelling of the face, lips, or throat, or difficulty breathing; Stevens-Johnson syndrome — extremely rare skin reaction; seek immediate medical attention for severe skin rash or blistering; Hair loss (alopecia) — rare and usually reversible.

When to see a doctor: See a doctor if you experience severe stomach pain, persistent vomiting, yellowing of the skin or eyes, unusual tiredness, easy bruising, or any signs of a serious allergic reaction after taking albendazole. Also consult a doctor if your symptoms of worm infection (such as stomach pain, itching around the anus, or visible worms in stool) persist more than 2 weeks after completing treatment, as you may need a repeat dose or further investigation.

## Warnings

Do not take if: Do NOT take albendazole during the first trimester of pregnancy — it may cause harm to the developing baby; Do not take if you have a known allergy to albendazole, mebendazole, or any benzimidazole medication; Use with caution if you have liver disease — albendazole is processed by the liver and may worsen existing liver conditions; Do not use in children under 1 year of age without medical supervision.

Interactions: Dexamethasone and praziquantel — may increase albendazole levels in the blood, potentially increasing the risk of side effects; Cimetidine — may increase the concentration of the active form of albendazole in the blood; Carbamazepine, phenytoin, and phenobarbital — may reduce the effectiveness of albendazole by increasing its breakdown in the liver; Theophylline — albendazole may affect theophylline levels; monitoring may be needed if used together; Grapefruit juice — may increase absorption of albendazole.

Pregnancy & breastfeeding: Albendazole is NOT recommended during the first trimester of pregnancy due to the risk of birth defects observed in animal studies. Women of childbearing age should ideally take a pregnancy test before receiving albendazole, and should avoid becoming pregnant within one month of treatment. In the second and third trimesters, albendazole may be used if the benefits clearly outweigh the risks, particularly in mass deworming campaigns as recommended by the WHO. Albendazole passes into breast milk in small amounts, but the WHO considers a single dose of 400mg safe for breastfeeding mothers during mass deworming programs. Always consult your doctor or pharmacist if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.

## Brands in Nigeria

Well-known NAFDAC-registered brands: Zentel (GlaxoSmithKline, made in India); Alzental (Julphar, made in UAE); Zolat (Emzor Pharmaceutical Industries Limited, made in Nigeria); Tanzol (Shalina Healthcare Nigeria Limited, made in Nigeria).
Full searchable brand list: https://ogbogwu.com/drugs/albendazole/brands/

## How to verify it is genuine

1. Check the NAFDAC registration number on the packaging — all genuine albendazole products sold in Nigeria must carry a valid NAFDAC number
2. Verify the NAFDAC number using the NAFDAC Green Book website or the NAFDAC mobile verification app available on Android and iOS
3. Purchase from licensed pharmacies or registered patent medicine stores — avoid buying from roadside vendors, open markets, or unregistered shops
4. Inspect the packaging for the manufacturer's details, batch number, manufacturing date, and expiry date — everything should be clearly printed
5. Genuine albendazole tablets should have a consistent appearance — chewable tablets should be firm and uniform in colour; reject any tablets that look crumbly, discoloured, or different from what you normally use
6. For school deworming programs, the tablets should come from officially distributed batches — check with the school or local health authority if in doubt

Verify any NAFDAC number free (no login): https://ogbogwu.com/nafdac-checker/

## FAQs

### How often should I deworm myself and my family in Nigeria?

The World Health Organization recommends deworming every 6 months (twice a year) in endemic areas, and most of Nigeria falls into this category. Many Nigerian families, especially those with school-age children, choose to deworm every 3 months as an extra precaution. It is important to deworm the entire family at the same time to prevent reinfection — if only one person takes the medication, they can easily get reinfected from other family members who are still carrying worms. The best times to deworm are at the beginning and middle of the year, or you can align with the school deworming calendar. A single 400mg tablet of albendazole is all that is needed for each deworming session.

### Can pregnant women take albendazole?

Albendazole should NOT be taken during the first trimester (first 3 months) of pregnancy, as it may potentially cause harm to the developing baby. This is based on animal studies that showed birth defects at high doses. If you are a woman of childbearing age, it is advisable to confirm you are not pregnant before taking albendazole. In the second and third trimesters, the WHO allows the use of albendazole in mass deworming campaigns because the benefits of treating worm infections (which can cause anaemia and malnutrition) outweigh the risks at that stage. However, routine deworming should be postponed until after delivery when possible. Always consult your doctor or midwife before taking albendazole if you are pregnant or suspect you might be.

### At what age can children start taking albendazole for deworming?

The WHO recommends that deworming with albendazole can begin from 12 months (1 year) of age. Children aged 1 to 2 years should receive a reduced dose of 200mg (half the adult tablet or 5ml of the suspension). Children over 2 years of age take the full adult dose of 400mg as a single tablet. The Nigerian school deworming program targets children from age 5 and above. For very young children under 1 year, deworming is generally not recommended unless there is a confirmed worm infection diagnosed by a doctor, as infants are less likely to be exposed to soil-transmitted worms.

## Sources

- NAFDAC Greenbook (official register of approved products in Nigeria)
- WHO Model List of Essential Medicines
- British National Formulary (BNF)
- Nigerian Standard Treatment Guidelines (Federal Ministry of Health)