Pharmacokinetic comparison of two albendazole dosage regimens in patients with neurocysticercosis.
To evaluate two different dosage regimens for albendazole (7.5 mg/kg twice a day or 5.0 mg/kg three times a day), a study was performed in 10 patients with a diagnosis of parenchymal brain cysticercosis. Each patient received both regimens sequentially according to a randomized, crossover design. Blood and urine samples were taken once the drug steady state had been reached. Plasma levels of albendazole sulfoxide at steady state were determined using a HPLC method. In spite of a great intersubject variability observed with both regimens in the area under the curve (AUC) and in the minimum steady-state plasma concentration (Cp min ss), no statistically significant differences were found in these parameters. We suggest that a regimen of 7.5 mg/kg every 12 h can favorably replace the currently used regimen of 5 mg/kg every 8 h.
Sánchez
M
M
Laboratory of Neuropharmacology, National Institute of Neurology and Neurosurgery of Mexico City, Mexico.
Suástegui
R
R
González-Esquivel
D
D
Sotelo
J
J
Jung
H
H
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D015766:Albendazole / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000493:pharmacokinetics; D001927:Brain Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000469:parasitology; D003551:Cysticercosis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged
D015766:Albendazole