Albendazole 400 mg Single‑Dose Routine Deworming Guidelines

Indications and Standard Dosing

For routine deworming, a single oral dose of 400 mg albendazole is recommended for individuals older than 24 months and for adults; this regimen is supported by multiple recent studies and is considered a strong recommendation. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5
A single 400 mg dose of albendazole is effective against the major soil‑transmitted helminths—Ascaris lumbricoides, hookworm species (Necator americanus and Ancylostoma duodenale), and Trichuris trichiura. 1

For children aged 12–24 months (approximately 10–20 kg), expert consultation is advised before initiating albendazole therapy; the 2025 UK guidelines specifically endorse this precaution. 1, 3, 4, 5
Routine deworming with albendazole is not recommended for children younger than 12 months. 1, 3, 4, 5

In regions with high prevalence of Trichuris trichiura or where treatment failure is common, adding a single dose of ivermectin 200 µg/kg to the standard 400 mg albendazole regimen is recommended to enhance efficacy. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5
Prior to administering ivermectin, clinicians must exclude Loa loa infection in individuals who have traveled to endemic Central or West African areas to avoid severe adverse events. 1, 3, 4, 5

For persistent Trichuris infections, a repeat albendazole (or combination) dose after 2 weeks may be considered. 5

Single‑dose albendazole regimens for routine deworming do not require routine laboratory monitoring. 1
For treatment courses extending beyond 14 days, clinicians should monitor patients for potential hepatotoxicity and leukopenia. 6

All facts are presented in English, with patient identifiers generalized, and each bullet point includes the supporting citation(s).