NEUROCYSTICERCOSIS - OPTIMAL DOSE TREATMENT WITH ALBENDAZOLE

Albendazole has been used successfully in the treatment of cerebral cysticercosis for several years. The published dosage schedule has varied from 15 mg/kg/day for 8 days to up to 30 days. Fifty three patients with neurocysticercosis received 8, 15 or 30 days treatment with 800 mg of albendazole daily. The present study demonstrates the effectiveness in clinical and radiological terms of albendazole 800 mg/day for 8 days for the majority of patients affected with cystic or encephalitic parenchymatous cysticercosis. There was no apparent advantage of continuation of treatment for 15 or 30 days in this series. The routine use of high dose steroids limited the effects of parasite destruction. No toxicity attributable to albendazole was encountered.