Zentel 400: Uses, How It Works, Side Effects
Also in: हिन्दी தமிழ் ਪੰਜਾਬੀ ଓଡ଼ିଆ অসমীয়া
Also known as: Zentel, Zentel 400 mg, Zentel 400 tablet, Albendazole 400 mg
Zentel 400 is a prescription deworming tablet containing 400 mg of albendazole, used to treat intestinal worm infections such as roundworm, hookworm and whipworm. The World Health Organization lists albendazole 400 mg as a recommended medicine for these soil-transmitted worms. It is also used under specialist care for some tapeworm infections of the brain and organs. It should be taken on a doctor's advice and may harm an unborn baby.
- Active ingredient
- Albendazole 400 mg
- Type of medicine
- Anthelmintics
- Used for
- Worm infections
- Starts working in
- The medicine acts on the worms within days; follow the course your doctor gives
- Effect lasts
- Treatment for intestinal worms usually lasts one to three days; longer courses are used for tapeworm infections of the body
- With or without food
- Usually taken with food for body tapeworm infections; follow the label or your doctor's advice
- Alcohol
- No specific advice was found in the sources; ask your doctor
- Pregnancy
- May harm the unborn baby; tell your doctor if you are or may be pregnant
- Habit-forming
- No
- Made by
- VERIFY on pack
Pharmacist review in progress. This page is based on the sources listed below and is being checked by our registered pharmacist.
On this page
- What is Zentel 400 used for?
- How does Zentel 400 work?
- How to take Zentel 400
- Side effects of Zentel 400
- Who should be careful
- Medicines and things that interact with Zentel 400
- If someone takes too much
- Storage
- Regulatory status in India
- Other brands with the same medicine
- Other strengths and forms
- Common questions
What is Zentel 400 used for?
Zentel 400 is used, on a doctor's advice, to treat certain worm infections.
- Treating intestinal worm infections caused by roundworm, hookworm and whipworm (soil-transmitted worms)
- Treating neurocysticercosis, a pork tapeworm infection of the brain, muscles and eyes, under specialist care
- Treating cystic hydatid disease, a dog tapeworm infection of the liver, lungs and abdomen, together with surgery, under specialist care
How does Zentel 400 work?
Albendazole stops worms from taking in sugar (glucose) from their surroundings, so they run out of energy and die. It acts on the worms and their larvae in the gut and, with longer courses, in body tissues. It does not act on worm eggs already in the soil.
What happens in your body after you take it
You take the tablet
The tablet is swallowed, or chewed and swallowed with water. Absorption is better with a meal for infections outside the gut.
It acts in the gut
For intestinal worms, much of the medicine works directly on worms living in the gut.
It reaches body tissues
Some albendazole is absorbed and changed by the liver into an active form, which travels in the blood to tissues where tapeworm cysts can lodge.
The worms lose their fuel
The medicine blocks the worm's cells from building the structures they use to take in glucose, so the worms are starved and die.
The body clears it
The medicine and its breakdown products are cleared by the liver and kidneys. Washing hands and cooking food well helps prevent a new infection.
How to take Zentel 400
Take Zentel 400 exactly as your doctor has prescribed or as printed on the pack. Your doctor decides the dose and how long you need it, which differs a lot between a gut worm infection and a tapeworm infection of the body.
- For intestinal worms, treatment is usually short (one to three days). For tapeworm infections of the body, courses can last weeks and need a specialist.
- The tablet may be swallowed whole, or chewed or crushed and taken with water. Follow the label or your doctor's advice about food.
- Finish the full course your doctor prescribes, even if you feel better.
- If you miss a dose, take it when you remember. If it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed one. Do not take two doses together.
- Ask the doctor whether household members should be checked or treated, and keep up hand washing and food hygiene to avoid reinfection.
Side effects of Zentel 400
Most people take albendazole without serious problems. Some side effects are common and mild, but a few need medical help.
Uncommon or mild
- Stomach pain, nausea or vomiting
- Headache or dizziness
- Hair loss, which is reversible, with longer courses
Rare but serious: get medical help
- Rash, hives, or swelling of the face or throat (a severe allergic reaction). Get medical help immediately
- Sore throat, fever or chills, or unusual bleeding or bruising (possible changes in blood cells)
- Weakness, tiredness, pale skin or shortness of breath
- Seizures, severe headache, vomiting or changes in behaviour during treatment of neurocysticercosis
Who should be careful
Some people need to check with a doctor before taking Zentel 400, or need extra care while taking it.
When the label says not to use it
- Allergy to albendazole, mebendazole or any ingredient of the tablet
- Pregnancy: it may harm the unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or may be; a pregnancy test may be needed before long courses, and pregnancy should be avoided during treatment and for 3 days after the last dose
- Breastfeeding: tell your doctor
- Allergy to albendazole, mebendazole or any ingredient of the tablet
- Liver disease: tell your doctor, who may check blood tests during long courses
- Neurocysticercosis: the doctor may add other medicines to protect the nervous system and may arrange an eye exam first
- Surgery or dental work: tell the surgeon or dentist that you take it
Medicines and things that interact with Zentel 400
Zentel 400 can interact with some other medicines. Tell your doctor or pharmacist about everything you take, including herbal remedies and medicines bought over the counter.
- Cimetidine (a stomach acid medicine): named by MedlinePlus as a medicine to mention to your doctor
- Other prescription, over-the-counter, vitamin and herbal products: tell your doctor before starting anything new during a course
If someone takes too much
Taking one extra tablet by mistake is unlikely to be serious, but larger amounts can be harmful. If someone has taken much more than prescribed, call 112 or go to the nearest hospital and take the medicine pack with you.
Storage
Store at room temperature in a dry place, away from heat and moisture, in the original pack, and out of the reach of children. Do not use after the expiry date. Check the pack for the exact storage instructions.
Regulatory status in India
Approved for sale in India. Single-ingredient albendazole is not on the CDSCO list of medicines banned under section 26A of the Drugs and Cosmetics Act. Zentel 400 should be taken on a doctor's advice; check the schedule printed on the pack.
Other brands with the same medicine
Albendazole 400 mg tablets are sold under other brand names and as generic medicines. They contain the same medicine; check the label for the strength. Albendazole is also sold as a liquid, which is a different product.
Other strengths and forms
Albendazole is also sold as a liquid and in other strengths and in combination products. The strength and contents are printed on the pack and are not the same across products, so check the label of the one you have.
Common questions
What is Zentel 400 used for?
Zentel 400 contains albendazole, a deworming medicine used on a doctor's advice for intestinal worm infections such as roundworm, hookworm and whipworm, and under specialist care for some tapeworm infections of the brain and organs.
Is Zentel 400 a one-day treatment?
For intestinal worms treatment is usually short, one to three days, but the doctor decides. Tapeworm infections of the brain or organs need longer courses under a specialist. Follow the label or your doctor's advice, and do not repeat it on your own.
Can I take Zentel 400 during pregnancy?
Albendazole may harm an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant, may be pregnant or are planning a baby. Pregnancy should be avoided during treatment and for 3 days after the last dose. Do not take it on your own while pregnant.
Does a worm tablet stop reinfection?
The medicine acts on the worms, not on eggs lying in the environment. Good hygiene, such as washing hands before eating and after the toilet, keeping nails short and washing bedding, is what reduces reinfection. Ask your doctor whether others in the home need checking.
Does Zentel 400 work for every worm?
No. The World Health Organization notes albendazole does not work against Strongyloides worms, which need ivermectin. A doctor decides which worm is likely and which medicine is suitable, often after a stool test.
Can I take Zentel 400 with food?
It is usually taken with food for infections outside the gut, and the tablet can be chewed or crushed with water. Follow the label or your doctor's advice, as it depends on the infection being treated.
What should I do if I miss a dose of Zentel 400?
Take it when you remember. If it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed one and carry on as usual. Never take two doses together to make up for a missed one.
What is the difference between Zentel 400 and albendazole 400 mg?
Zentel is a brand name and albendazole is the medicine inside it. Generic albendazole 400 mg contains the same active ingredient. Check the strength and ingredient list on the pack, and ask your doctor before switching products.
Sources
- Albendazole. MedlinePlus, US National Library of Medicine
- Soil-transmitted helminth infections. World Health Organization
- About soil-transmitted helminths. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (US)
- Threadworms in children and adults. NHS (UK)
- ATC/DDD Index: P02CA03 Albendazole. WHO Collaborating Centre for Drug Statistics Methodology
- List of drugs prohibited for manufacture and sale through gazette notifications under section 26A of the Drugs & Cosmetics Act 1940. Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO)