Albendazole 400 mg: uses, price & cheaper substitutes
Prescription required (Schedule H)
Common uses: Deworming – roundworm, hookworm, pinworm (threadworm), whipworm and tapeworm infections of the gut; Routine deworming of children and adults, including the National Deworming Day programme.
Listed MRPs range from ₹1.01 to ₹8.74 per tablet across 7 listings. Use only on a doctor's prescription.
Price comparison
| Brand | Manufacturer | Pack | MRP | ₹ / tablet | As on |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Albendazole Tablets IP 400mgJan Aushadhi | Jan Aushadhi (PMBJP) | 1 | ₹3.10 | ₹3.10 | 19 October 2026 |
| ABZ 400 | Indoco Remedies Ltd | 10 | ₹10.13 | ₹1.01 | 19 October 2026 |
| Zybend 400 | Zydus Healthcare Limited | 10 | ₹20.33 | ₹2.03 | 19 October 2026 |
| Alminth 400 | Torrent Pharmaceuticals Ltd | 3 | ₹6.56 | ₹2.19 | 19 October 2026 |
| Zentel | Glaxo SmithKline Pharmaceuticals Ltd | 1 | ₹8.67 | ₹8.67 | 19 October 2026 |
| Bandy | Mankind Pharma Ltd | 1 | ₹8.71 | ₹8.71 | 19 October 2026 |
| Noworm | Alkem Laboratories Ltd | 1 | ₹8.74 | ₹8.74 | 19 October 2026 |
MRPs as printed/listed on the date shown; actual price may vary.
Uses
- Deworming – roundworm, hookworm, pinworm (threadworm), whipworm and tapeworm infections of the gut.
- Routine deworming of children and adults, including the National Deworming Day programme.
- Neurocysticercosis (pork tapeworm cysts in the brain) under specialist supervision.
- Hydatid cyst disease of the liver or lungs, along with surgery.
How to take it
For common worm infections take one 400 mg tablet as a single dose – chew it well or swallow it whole with water – with food, which improves absorption. For pinworm the dose is often repeated after 2 weeks, and the whole family is treated together. Wash hands, trim nails and wash bedding to prevent reinfection. For neurocysticercosis or hydatid disease the doctor prescribes longer courses of twice-daily tablets with food, often for weeks, and will monitor your liver and blood counts. Finish any prescribed course even if you feel better. See a doctor if you develop fever, sore throat, unusual bruising, severe headache or fits during treatment.
Side effects
Common
- Stomach pain, nausea or vomiting.
- Headache or dizziness.
- Temporary hair thinning with long courses.
Serious
Stop and get medical help urgently if you notice any of these.
- Fever, sore throat, mouth ulcers, easy bruising (low blood counts with long courses).
- Yellow skin or eyes, dark urine (liver problems).
- Severe headache, fits, vomiting or confusion when treating brain cysts.
- Rash, hives or swelling (allergic reaction).
Safety information
Alcohol
Avoid alcohol during longer courses; both strain the liver.
Pregnancy
Do not take in pregnancy – it may harm the baby. Women should have a negative pregnancy test before long courses and avoid pregnancy during treatment and for 3 days after. Tell your doctor if breastfeeding.
Kidney problems
No specific dose change; tell your doctor about kidney disease.
Liver problems
Tell your doctor about liver disease; liver tests are checked during long courses.
Children
Children aged 2 and above take the full 400 mg dose; those aged 1 to 2 take half, on a doctor's advice. Tablets can be crushed or chewed for small children.
Missed dose
Take it as soon as you remember unless the next dose is nearly due – then skip it. Never double the dose.
Interactions
- Cimetidine – raises albendazole levels.
- Dexamethasone and praziquantel – raise albendazole levels; used deliberately in some brain infections.
- Carbamazepine, phenytoin, phenobarbital – lower albendazole levels.
- Ritonavir and other HIV medicines – may change albendazole levels; tell your doctor.
Frequently asked questions
How should I take Zentel 400 for deworming?
Take one 400 mg tablet as a single dose with food – chew it or swallow it with water. For pinworm, repeat after 2 weeks and treat the whole household on the same day.
Zentel vs Bandy – what is the difference?
Both are albendazole 400 mg chewable tablets and work the same way. Choose by availability; the dose and timing are identical.
Albendazole before or after food?
With or just after food, preferably a fatty meal, because food greatly improves absorption of albendazole.
How often should adults take a deworming tablet?
A single dose once or twice a year is common practice in India where worm infections are widespread, but routine deworming is best discussed with your doctor, who may advise a stool test.
Can I give Bandy to my 1-year-old?
Children aged 1 to 2 years get half a tablet (200 mg) and children 2 and above the full 400 mg tablet, crushed or chewed, on a doctor's advice.
Is Zentel safe in pregnancy?
No. Albendazole is avoided in pregnancy, especially the first trimester, because it may harm the baby. Women should avoid becoming pregnant during and for 3 days after treatment.
Can I take Zentel with alcohol?
For a single deworming dose a small amount of alcohol is unlikely to matter, but avoid alcohol during longer courses because both affect the liver.
Will I see worms in the stool after taking albendazole?
Sometimes, especially with roundworms, but often the worms are digested and not visible. Not seeing worms does not mean the tablet failed.
Is albendazole available without prescription in India?
It is a Schedule H medicine, so chemists should ask for a prescription, although it is widely dispensed over the counter for routine deworming.
Sources
- MedlinePlus – Albendazole (19 October 2026)
- NPPA Pharma Sahi Daam (ceiling prices) (19 October 2026)
- PMBI Jan Aushadhi Product & MRP List (19 October 2026)
Medyzen Editorial Team · Last updated
This page is general information, not medical advice. Do not start, stop or change a medicine without asking a doctor or pharmacist. Terms