Albendazole is an antiparasitic medication, used to treat a range of parasitic infections. If you are prescribed albendazole, it can be useful to know that experiencing nausea is a possibility, but it would be misleading to assume that it affects everyone.

Nausea, alongside other common side effects, are explored below, alongside what to do if the unpleasant feeling persists.

What Is Albendazole?

It is an antiparasitic benzimidazole preparation, indicated in the treatment of many different worm infections and infestations, including specific intestinal roundworms, hookworms, pinworms and tapeworms.

It acts by disrupting crucial cellular processes of susceptible parasites, which limits their capacity to absorb essential nutrients before eventually dying. Depending on the type of infection, a particular duration and dose of albendazole is needed to eliminate it successfully.

How Does Albendazole Work?

By interfering with the formation of tubulin and impairing the functioning of microtubules, albendazole prevents the worms from carrying out vital processes, such as absorbing glucose, which leads to their eventual death. As much as it is possible to develop unpleasant side effects from albendazole, you may also wonder whether it can lead to feeling sick or nauseated.

Can Albendazole Cause Nausea?

Albendazole may make you feel sick, although it is not necessarily the case for everybody. It is possible that the parasitic infection itself might be to blame, as could other concurrent medications, or a range of other unrelated conditions.

For most people for whom the medication is suitable, the nausea subsides as the treatment begins to take effect. If you experience extreme or persistent nausea alongside other side effects such as vomiting, consult your doctor for further advice.

How Common Is Nausea With Albendazole?

It is relatively common to experience some form of gastrointestinal discomfort when taking albendazole, although it is less common than one may think. Again, this depends on the infection being treated, dose, treatment duration, and other factors, and may be a side effect of something else.

Nausea may be accompanied by other side effects such as bloating, abdominal discomfort, vomiting, headaches, or dizziness.

Other Possible Side Effects

As well as potential albendazole nausea, there are a list of other potentially unpleasant side effects that can arise from either a short course or longer-term use of the drug. These include:

• Headaches
• Dizziness
• Stomach ache or discomfort
• Vomiting
• Diarrhoea
• Feeling tired or fatigued

More extended courses of albendazole run the risk of causing liver damage, abnormal blood tests, and even changes to blood cell counts. It is not unusual for people to notice temporary hair loss after albendazole treatment but this is also unlikely to affect everyone.

If you feel unwell in any other way, be sure to discuss this with your doctor.

How to Reduce Albendazole Nausea

If you do experience any form of nausea as a result of taking albendazole, there are measures that you can adopt to ensure that the feeling passes quickly:

• Consider food advice: The drug may be taken with or without food depending on the type of infection. However, following the advice on the medication leaflet or from your doctor or pharmacist will help you get the best results.
• Replenish fluids: It is important to continue taking fluids, especially if you are experiencing vomiting or diarrhoea as a result of the medication.
• Eat small meals: Taking smaller and more frequent meals may help settle an unsettled stomach.
• Avoid triggers: If you know that certain foods or smells bring on nausea, then it is best to avoid them.
• Don’t take too much or too little medication: Never alter the dose of your medication unless instructed to by a medical professional.

If you continue to experience nausea, consult your doctor or pharmacist for further advice on the best way of countering its effects.

When to Seek Medical Advice

Generally speaking, you should not be too concerned if you experience a degree of nausea as a side effect of taking albendazole. If it persists or becomes severe and stops you from eating and drinking, seek medical advice.

Contact a medical professional if you also experience any of the following symptoms:

• Vomiting that will not stop
• Severe stomach pain
• Yellow skin or eyes
• Bleeding disorders
• Extreme fatigue or unexplained tiredness
• Signs of an allergic reaction

Precautions and Interactions

Before hand, it is always a good idea to consult your doctor in relation to any other medical conditions you may have and any medications or supplements you are taking.

Albendazole can affect liver enzymes and so liver problems may arise in people taking the medication. Some combinations of medication can also increase the risk of side effects from albendazole, so always consult your doctor or pharmacist before taking any other drugs concurrently.

If you are pregnant, breastfeeding or planning a pregnancy, always consult your doctor for their professional medical advice. It should be noted that the choice to use albendazole would be based on a range of considerations relating to the type and severity of infection.

Conclusion

In conclusion, albendazole nausea is unlikely to affect everyone who takes it, but it may arise as a potential side effect, or be caused by something else. You may experience some bloating and discomfort in your stomach, or feel generally sick as a side effect of albendazole.

There are things that you can do should you experience it, such as making sure you follow the advice on any medication leaflet regarding food and drink. As much as it may make you feel unpleasant, the medication is safe to take and is a highly effective way of clearing a variety of parasitic infections if followed correctly.

If you experience a persistent, severe case of feeling sick, or it stops you from eating or drinking, consult your doctor for further advice.