Albendazole
| Evidence Level: L5 | Predicted Indications: 1 |
Table of Contents
Albendazole: Coenurosis
One-Sentence Summary
Albendazole is an oral anthelmintic that acts against parasitic worms and their larval cysts. The TxGNN model predicts it may be effective for coenurosis (a larval tapeworm infection), with a prediction score of 0.9983. The 9 clinical trials and 20 publications compiled for this report almost entirely concern neurocysticercosis, a related disease, and none directly studies coenurosis.
Quick Overview
| Item | Content |
|---|---|
| Original Indication | Not recorded in the local data |
| Predicted New Indication | Coenurosis |
| TxGNN Prediction Score | 0.9983 |
| Evidence Level | L5 |
| Australia Market Status | Listed on the PBS Schedule (1 of 1 items) – TGA (ARTG) registration status is not included in this data |
| Number of PBS Items | 1 (valid: 1) |
| Recommended Decision | Hold |
Why is This Prediction Reasonable?
Detailed mechanism of action data is not available in the data compiled for this report. Albendazole belongs to the benzimidazole anthelmintic class. This class is generally understood to inhibit beta-tubulin polymerisation in parasites, which disrupts their cell structure and nutrient uptake.
Coenurosis is caused by the larval stage of certain tapeworms (Taenia multiceps or Taenia serialis). It can affect the central nervous system, much like neurocysticercosis, which is caused by the larval stage of Taenia solium. Because both are tapeworm larval diseases, a shared drug target is plausible.
The prediction score probably reflects how closely related these diseases are, rather than direct evidence in coenurosis. The trials and publications listed below study neurocysticercosis, not coenurosis. They support albendazole’s activity against tapeworm larvae in general, but they do not establish efficacy or dosing in coenurosis. For this reason the evidence level is L5.
Clinical Trial Evidence
None of these trials studies coenurosis. All are in neurocysticercosis, a related tapeworm larval disease.
| Trial Number | Phase | Status | Enrolment | Key Findings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| NCT02243644 | Phase 3 | Completed | 97 | Two albendazole durations compared in neurocysticercosis with 5 or fewer brain lesions |
| NCT00283699 | Phase 3 | Completed | 178 | Albendazole versus symptomatic treatment in neurocysticercosis |
| NCT00441285 | Phase 2/3 | Completed | 156 | Praziquantel plus albendazole combination in neurocysticercosis |
| NCT00004403 | Not applicable | Completed | 120 | Albendazole in epilepsy due to neurocysticercosis |
| NCT02947581 | Phase 3 | Terminated | 107 | Albendazole plus praziquantel versus albendazole alone in subarachnoid neurocysticercosis; early termination limits its weight |
| NCT00290823 | Phase 3 | Completed | 110 | Corticosteroid dosing during neurocysticercosis treatment; says little about albendazole itself |
| NCT00133458 | Phase 3 | Withdrawn | 0 | One versus two months of albendazole in subarachnoid cysticercosis; no participants enrolled, so no data |
| NCT06376396 | Phase 4 | Not yet recruiting | 300 | Praziquantel plus albendazole versus albendazole alone; no results yet |
| NCT06565507 | Phase 2/3 | Not yet recruiting | 544 | Oxfendazole regimens (a different drug) in parenchymal brain cysticercosis; no results yet |
Literature Evidence
The publications are reviews and case reports on neurocysticercosis and related conditions. None is a randomised trial, and none directly studies coenurosis.
| PMID | Year | Type | Journal | Key Findings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 30366559 | 2018 | Review | Neurologic Clinics | Overview of neurocysticercosis presentations, diagnosis and therapy |
| 24365429 | 2014 | Review | Handbook of Clinical Neurology | Neurocysticercosis as a leading cause of acquired epilepsy worldwide |
| 23829921 | 2013 | Review | Handbook of Clinical Neurology | Cysticercosis epidemiology, life cycle and management |
| 32129220 | 2020 | Review | Saudi J Kidney Dis Transplant | Neurocysticercosis diagnosis and treatment overview |
| 15853623 | 2004 | Review | Expert Rev Neurother | Albendazole described as the medication of choice for neurocysticercosis, with possible use in subarachnoid racemose disease |
| 16170737 | 2005 | Review | Seminars in Neurology | Neurocysticercosis as a public health problem with variable presentation |
| 22702323 | 2012 | Review | Expert Rev Anti Infect Ther | Solitary cysticercus granuloma, the commonest neurocysticercosis form in India |
| 28233725 | 2017 | Case report | J Infect Public Health | Racemose neurocysticercosis in a 12-year-old boy |
| 29884714 | 2018 | Case report | BMJ Case Reports | Orbital cysticercosis in a young man |
| 1894783 | 1991 | Case series | J Am Acad Dermatol | Subcutaneous cysticercosis; treatment options include surgery, praziquantel and albendazole |
Australia Market Information
| ARTG Number | Product Name | Dosage Form | Approved Indication |
|---|---|---|---|
| ARTG 8459F | Eskazole | Tablet 400 mg | Not recorded in the local data |
Safety Considerations
Product-specific warnings and contraindications are not available in the data compiled for this report. Please refer to the TGA-approved Product Information (PI) for safety information.
Drug Interactions: The interaction database lists 96 interacting drugs. Examples flagged as Moderate include aprepitant, cobicistat, deferasirox, alemtuzumab, amprenavir, bendamustine, bosentan and apalutamide. Examples flagged as Minor include cimetidine, dexamethasone, lidocaine and armodafinil.
Conclusion and Next Steps
Decision: Hold
Rationale: No trial or publication directly studies albendazole in coenurosis. The supporting studies are in neurocysticercosis, a related disease, so the evidence level is L5. The high prediction score alone is not enough to support clinical use.
To proceed, the following is needed:
- Direct clinical evidence in coenurosis, such as case series or reports of albendazole treatment outcomes
- Mechanism of action data to support the link between the two tapeworm larval diseases
- Review of the TGA-approved Product Information for warnings and contraindications
- A dosing and treatment-duration rationale specific to coenurosis, including CNS involvement
- A safety monitoring plan, including interaction screening for the listed higher-risk co-medications
Disclaimer
This content is for research purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Clinical validation is required before any clinical application.