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Tanzol Suspension

Generic Name(s): Albendazole

Why it's used

Tanzol Suspension is used to treat tapeworm infection that affects the brain, muscles and body tissues (neurocysticercosis). It is a prescription medicine. This medicine works by destroying the growth of parasitic worms. This medicine helps by preventing the production of energy (adenosine triphosphate) which is essential for the growth of parasitic worms. Tanzol is also used to treat parasitic infection which affects the liver, lungs, and peritoneum (hydatid disease).
Tanzol Suspension may also be taken in combination with other medicines to treat certain conditions as recommended by the doctor. Tanzol Suspension is used together with Corticosteroid to prevent the increased pressure inside the skull during the first week of treatment. Tanzol is also used with anticonvulsants to prevent brain-related symptoms such as seizures while undergoing treatment with Tanzol.
Antihelminthic
Tanzol belongs to a class of medicines called Antihelminthic. Antihelminthics are a group of antiparasitic drugs that treat people who have a condition called helminthiasis. These medicines remove parasitic worms (helminths) and other internal parasites from the body by killing the parasites such as roundworms, flukes, and tapeworms.

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How to use

Read the directions on the product label, patient guide, or medicine guide provided by the medicine company or your pharmacist before starting to use Tanzol Suspension. If you have any questions related to this medicine, ask your doctor or pharmacist. Eat this medicine as recommended by your doctor.
Tanzol Suspension is eaten with food. Tanzol tablets may be crushed or chewed and swallowed with a drink of water.

Typical Dosage

The typical dose of Tanzol is 400 mg twice daily in patients weighing 60 kg (132 lb) or more and 15 mg/kg/day (6.8 mg/lb/day) twice daily in equally divided doses in patients weighing less than 60 kg. The maximum adult dose of Tanzol is 800 mg in a day. This medicine is typically used for a period of 8-30 days for tapeworm infection that affects the brain, muscles and body tissues (neurocysticercosis), and 28 days for parasitic infection which affects the liver, lungs, and peritoneum (hydatid disease). Tanzol is commonly used at the same time every day. This medicine is not known to be habit-forming.
This medicine should be used on an as-needed basis. You should continue to use this medicine as directed by the doctor even if you feel well.
If you are using the chewable tablet form of this medicine, make sure you chew the medicine before you swallow it.

Talk to Your Doctor

Talk to your doctor if your condition persists or worsens or if you develop new symptoms. Tell your doctor if seizures, headache, vomiting, extreme tiredness, and changes in behavior. You should consult with your doctor before stopping the use of Tanzol.
Older patients may see an increase in the incidence of side-effects with this medicine. As a result, a lower dose may be recommended for older patients.

Use in Children

If you are giving Tanzol Suspension to a child, be sure to use a product that is meant for children. Before giving this medicine to a child, use the child's weight or age to find the right dose from the product package. If the product package does not provide specific information as to how the medicine can be given to children, consult with your doctor and follow their recommendation.

Lab Tests

Your doctor may request that specific lab tests be performed before you start using Tanzol Suspension. You may need to have Complete Blood Count test. This test is needed before starting the therapy with Tanzol to prevent the risk of bone marrow suppression. Your doctor may request Liver Panel test. This test is needed before starting the therapy with Tanzol to prevent the risk of liver damage and bone marrow suppression. You may need to undergo Pregnancy Test test. This test is done in pregnant women to prevent the harm to an unborn baby.

Storage

You should store Tanzol Suspension at 20°C to 25°C (68°F to 77°F), and away from moisture. Store the medicine away from the reach of children and pets.
Medicines may be prescribed for uses other than those listed in the medicine guide. Do not use Tanzol Suspension for conditions for which it was not prescribed. Do not give Tanzol Suspension to other people who might have the same conditions or symptoms that you have. Self-medication may harm them.

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How to take Tanzol

The dose and frequency of using Tanzol will depend on the following factors:
  • the weight of the patient
  • patient's health
  • the health of the patient's kidneys
  • medicines recommended by the doctor
  • any other medicines being used
  • herbal supplements being used
  • response to the medicine

Tanzol Dosage

Dosage for parasitic infection

Adult (60 kg (132 lb) or greater)
  • Recommended: 400 mg twice daily with meals for 28-days followed by a 14-day break, and repeated for a total of three cycles

Dosage for parasitic infection

Adult (Less than 60 kg (132 lb))
  • Recommended: 15 mg/kg/day (6.8 mg/lb/day) given in divided doses twice daily with meals for 28-days followed by a 14-day break, and repeated for a total of three cycles
  • Maximum: 800 mg

Dosage for tapeworm infection

Adult (60 kg (132 lb) or greater)
  • Recommended: 400 mg twice daily with meals for 8 to 30 days

Dosage for tapeworm infection

Adult (Less than 60 kg (132 lb))
  • Recommended: 15 mg/kg/day (6.8 mg/lb/kg) given in divided doses twice daily with meals for 8 to 30 days
  • Maximum: 800 mg

Forms

Tablet
Strength: 200 mg
Chewable tablet
Strength: 200 mg
Tablet, Film coated
Strength: 200 mg

Missed Dose

A missed dose should be taken as early as you remember it. However, if the time for the next dose is almost there, then the missed dose should be skipped, and the regular dosing schedule should be continued. Avoid taking a repeated dose to make up for a missed one.

Overdose

What to do if you overdose on Tanzol?
In case of overdosage, general supportive measures and treatment according to symptoms are recommended.
If you think you have overdosed on Tanzol Suspension, call a poison control center immediately. You can look up the poison control center information from the Poison Center Finder at TabletWise.com.

Precautions while using Tanzol

Before you use Tanzol, tell your doctor of your medical and health history including the following:
  • exposure to dental surgery
  • eye wound (retinal lesion)
  • liver disease (increased liver enzyme)
Use of Tanzol causes fatality due to bone marrow suppression (decrease in the number of blood cells)
Before you use Tanzol Suspension, discuss with your doctor if you are allergic to it or its ingredients. Your doctor may prescribe an alternative medicine and update your medical records to record this information. Tell your doctor if you are allergic any of the following substances: benzimidazole.
Before having surgery during the use of Tanzol, discuss with your doctor and dentist about the medicinal products you use including prescription/non-prescription/herbal medicines.
The use of this medicine may change elevated liver enzymes. Use of Tanzol may cause elevation of liver enzymes and increase the risk of bone marrow suppression and liver damage.

Seizures

Tanzol Suspension can make you feel sleepy. Be careful when using any machinery, driving a vehicle, or doing any other activity that needs you to be fully alert. The consumption of alcohol with Tanzol Suspension can worsen the sleepiness. Tanzol Suspension may cause rarely seizures in some people. If you perform any activities where a loss of consciousness may cause harm to you (or others), you should discuss with your doctor.

Use in Pregnancy

The use of Tanzol during pregnancy should only be when required.

Use while Breastfeeding

It is not known if this medicine is safe for use in women who breastfeed. Consult with your doctor before you use Tanzol Suspension while breastfeeding. It is unknown if this medicine passes into breast milk.

Use while Conceiving

Tanzol may impact fertility in women. If you are trying to conceive, discuss with your doctor on the use of this medicine. Tanzol may cause harm to an unborn baby (fetal harm). The pregnancy test should be done before starting the Tanzol therapy and immediately discontinue the medicine if the patient becomes pregnant.

What precautions should be taken during Pregnancy and Nursing, and administering Tanzol to Children or the Older Adults?

Pregnant Women

Only When Necessary
Warning: Use this medicine during pregnancy only if the potential benefit justifies the potential risk to the fetus.

Breastfeeding

No Known Risk
Warning: Caution should be taken while using Tanzol during breastfeeding.

Younger Adults Population

Possibly safe
Warning: The efficacy of Tanzol in children is found to be similar to that of adults.

Older Adults Population

No Known Risk
Warning: There is no sufficient data for the safety and efficacy of Tanzol in elderly patients.

Tanzol Side-effects

The following side-effects may commonly occur when using Tanzol Suspension. If any of these side-effects worsen or last for a long time, you should consult with your doctor:
  • fever
  • headache
  • increased level of liver enzymes
  • increased pressure inside the brain
  • inflammation of brain and spinal cord membrane
  • nausea
  • reversible loss of hair
  • stomach pain
  • vertigo
  • vomiting
Rarely, the use of Tanzol Suspension may cause the following side-effects:
The following severe side-effects may also occur when using Tanzol Suspension:
  • Stomach and intestinal disorders
    Symptoms: diarrhea
  • Liver disorders
    Symptoms: inflammation of the liver (hepatitis), acute liver failure elevated liver enzymes
    The patient should discontinue the Tanzol therapy if liver enzymes are increased significantly.
  • Kidney disorders
    Symptoms: acute kidney failure
  • Skin disorders
    Symptoms: severe skin reaction (Stevens-Johnson syndrome) skin lesions due to infection (erythema multiforme)
  • Blood and lymphatic system disorders (possibly fatal)
    Symptoms: decrease in number of leukocytes (leukopenia), decrease in number of granulocytes, deficiency of red blood cells, white blood cells and platelets (pancytopenia), severe decrease in the number of white blood cells, low level of thrombocytes, insufficient production of new blood cells (aplastic anemia), decrease in production of white blood cells, red blood cells, platelets (bone marrow suppression) decreased in number of neutrophils in the blood (neutropenia)
    The patient should discontinue the use of Tanzol if there is a significant decrease in blood cell count.
  • Nervous system disorders
    Symptoms: convulsions sleepiness
  • Immune system disorders
    Symptoms: severe allergic reaction skin rash
  • Eye disorders
    Symptoms: blurred vision
  • Muscular and connective tissue disorders
    Symptoms: breakdown of damaged skeleton muscles (rhabdomyolysis)
Your doctor has prescribed Tanzol Suspension because they judge that the benefit is greater than the risk posed by side-effects. Many people using this medicine do not have serious side-effects. This page does not list all possible side-effects of Tanzol Suspension.
If you experience side-effects or notice other side-effects not listed above, contact your doctor for medical advice. You may also report side-effects to your local food and drug administration authority. You can look up the drug authority contact information from the Drug Authority Finder at TabletWise.com.

Side-effects and Allergic Reactions of Tanzol by Severity and Frequency

Common Side-effects

Following are the common side-effects of this medicine:

Infrequent and Rare Side-effects

Following are the infrequent and rare side-effects of this medicine:

Severe Side-effects

Following are the severe side-effects of this medicine:

Mild Allergic Reactions

Following are the symptoms of mild allergic reactions to this medicine:

Serious Allergic Reactions

Following are the symptoms of serious allergic reactions to this medicine:
  • severe allergic reaction
If you experience side-effects or notice other side-effects not listed above, contact your doctor for medical advice. You may also report side-effects to your local food and drug administration authority. You can look up the drug authority contact information from the Drug Authority Finder at TabletWise.com.

Warnings

Parasitic Infection

Patient with parasitic infection which affects the liver, lungs, and peritoneum (hydatid disease) should be assessed properly before starting the Tanzol therapy.

Bone Marrow Suppression

Patients with liver disease are at an increased risk of bone marrow suppression while using Tanzol. Such patients may have an increased risk of fatality due to the reduced number of blood granulocytes (Granulocytopenia). Tanzol should be discontinued if there is a significant decrease in blood cell count.

Birth Abnormalities

Pregnant women and women who want to conceive are at an increased risk when using this medicine. Use of this medicine in pregnant women may cause harm to the fetus. Use effective birth control measures for the duration of Tanzol treatment, and it should be continued for one month even after the end of therapy. Discontinue the use of Tanzol if a patient becomes pregnant.

Tapeworm Infection

Patients with tapeworm infection that affects the brain, muscles and body tissues (neurocysticercosis) are at an increased risk when using Tanzol. These patients may develop seizures and increased pressure within the brain. Such patients should take steroid and anticonvulsant therapy to prevent brain related symptoms.

Tapeworm Infection of the Eye

Patients with the tumor in the eyes (retinal lesions) are at an increased risk. Tanzol kills the parasite and can cause retinal damage. Proper eye check-up should be done before the start of the Tanzol therapy.

Liver Disease

Patients with increased liver enzymes are at an increased risk when using this medicine. Such patients are at an increased risk of liver damage and bone marrow suppression. Discontinue the use of Tanzol if liver enzymes get significantly increased or if there is a decrease in blood cell count.

Interactions with Tanzol

When two or more medicines are taken together, it can change how the medicines work and increase the risk of side-effects. In medical terms, this is called as a Drug Interaction.
This page does not contain all the possible interactions of Tanzol Suspension. Share a list of all medicines that you use with your doctor and pharmacist. Do not start, stop, or change the dose of any medicines without the approval of your doctor.

Cimetidine

Tanzol Suspension interacts with cimetidine, which is used to treat and prevent certain types of ulcer. The level of Tanzol found to be increased in the liver when used with cimetidine.

Praziquantel

There may be an interaction of Tanzol with praziquantel, which is used to treat parasitic worm infections. Use of praziquantel with Tanzol increases the level of Tanzol in the blood.

Dexamethasone

Tanzol Suspension may interact with dexamethasone, which is used to treat inflammatory and allergic conditions. The constant lower levels of Tanzol found to be higher when given with dexamethasone.

Theophylline

Special instructions need to be followed while taking this medicine along with theophylline, which is used to treat lung diseases. Tanzol activates cytochrome P450 1A enzyme which helps in drug metabolizing activity. It is recommended that blood levels of theophylline should be monitored during and after treatment.

Interactions of Tanzol by Severity

Moderate

The following medicines may interact when taken together and can increase your risk of harmful effects. Please consult with your doctor or pharmacist before taking these medicines together.

When should Tanzol be not used?

Allergic

This medicine should not be used in patients with known allergic reaction to Tanzol and benzimidazole class of compounds. These patients may have the following symptoms if they use this medicine:

Traveling With Medication

  • Ensure that you carry enough doses of each of your prescription medicines to last the entire trip. The best place to store your medicines is in the carry on baggage. However, while flying, if carrying liquid medicines, make sure you do not go over the limits imposed for carry-on liquids.
  • While traveling overseas, make sure that you can carry each of your prescription medicines legally to your destination country. One way to ensure this is by checking with your destination country's embassy or website.
  • Make sure that you carry each of your medicines in their original packaging, which should typically include your name and address, and the details of the prescribing doctor.
  • If your travel involves crossing time zones, and you are required to take your medicine as per a fixed schedule, make sure that you adjust for the change in time.

Expired Medication

Taking a single dose of expired Tanzol is unlikely to cause a side-effect. However, please discuss with your doctor or pharmacist, if you feel unwell or sick. An expired medicine may become ineffective in treating your prescribed conditions. To be on the safe side, it is important not to use an expired drug. You are much safer by always keeping a fresh supply of unexpired medicines.

Safe Disposal of Medication

  • If there are disposal instructions on the package, please follow the instructions.
  • If there are medicine take-back programs in your country, you should contact the respective authority to arrange for the disposal of the medicine. For example, in the USA, the Drug Enforcement Administration regularly hosts National Prescription Drug Take-Back events.
  • If there are no take-back programs, mix the medicine with dirt and place them in a sealed plastic bag. Throw the plastic bag in your household trash. Separately, remove all personal information including the prescription label from the medicine packaging and then dispose off the container.
  • If specifically indicated on the medicine package that it needs to be flushed down the toilet when no longer needed, perform the required step.
This page provides information for Tanzol Suspension .

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