Lacopazole (Albendazole 400 mg) – Uses, Side Effects, and NAFDAC Registration

What it is

Lacopazole is a brand of albendazole, an anthelmintic (anti-worm) medicine that works against certain tapeworm infections.

What it's used for

Lacopazole is used to treat two types of tapeworm infections: neurocysticercosis, caused by active lesions from the larval form of the pork tapeworm (Taenia solium); and cystic hydatid disease of the liver, lung, and peritoneum, caused by the larval form of the dog tapeworm (Echinococcus granulosus).

How it's taken

Lacopazole comes as a 400 mg tablet. The dose and duration depend on the condition and the patient’s weight. Typically, for adults weighing 60 kg or more, the dose is 400 mg twice daily; for those weighing less than 60 kg, it is 15 mg per kg of body weight each day, divided into two doses (maximum 800 mg total per day). The tablets should be taken with food. For hydatid disease, treatment is given in 28-day cycles followed by a 14-day break, usually for three cycles. For neurocysticercosis, treatment lasts 8 to 30 days. Always follow your doctor or pharmacist’s instructions exactly.

Common side effects

In patients treated for hydatid disease, common side effects (occurring in 1% or more) include abnormal liver function tests, abdominal pain, nausea and vomiting, reversible hair loss, headache, dizziness or vertigo, and fever. In patients treated for neurocysticercosis, common side effects include headache, nausea and vomiting, raised pressure inside the skull, and signs of meningitis.

Important cautions

Do not use Lacopazole if you are allergic to albendazole or any other benzimidazole medicine, or to any ingredient in the tablet. Lacopazole can suppress bone marrow, which may be fatal. Your doctor will check your blood counts before each 28-day treatment cycle and every two weeks while you are on therapy. If significant changes occur, treatment must be stopped. Lacopazole can harm an unborn baby. Women who can become pregnant should have a pregnancy test before starting treatment and should not use Lacopazole during pregnancy unless directed by their doctor.

Frequently asked questions