Albendazole Tablet Side Effects in Pakistan

Complete guide on Albendazole (Zentel) side effects. Side effects in single-dose deworming are generally mild. This page lists common and serious effects.

Compiled by the PakVita Editorial Team · AI-assisted drafting with editorial review · Sourced from DRAP, WHO, BNF · Last updated: 2026-06-17

Side Effects

Quick Answer

Common side effects of Albendazole Tablet (Zentel) include abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, and headache — usually mild and short-lived. Serious effects with prolonged or high-dose use include elevated liver enzymes (hepatotoxicity) and rare bone marrow suppression. Albendazole is ABSOLUTELY CONTRAINDICATED in pregnancy (teratogenic, Category D). Contact your doctor if any side effect worsens or you experience jaundice, unusual bleeding, or severe allergic reaction.

Side Effects at a Glance

Common

Abdominal pain
Nausea (matli)
Vomiting (ulti)
Headache (sir dard)

Serious — See a Doctor

Elevated liver enzymes / hepatotoxicity (prolonged or high-dose use)
Leukopenia / thrombocytopenia — bone marrow suppression (rare, prolonged high-dose)
Severe allergic reaction / anaphylaxis
CNS die-off reaction (neurocysticercosis treatment — under specialist care)

When to See a Doctor Immediately

Jaundice — sign of liver toxicity
Fever and unusual bruising/bleeding — sign of bone marrow suppression
Severe allergic reaction: rash, swelling, breathing difficulty
Worm symptoms do not resolve after 2 doses
If pregnancy is confirmed (accidental use)

Albendazole Tablet Side Effects (Nuksanat)

Albendazole Tablet (Zentel) is well-tolerated in most patients for single-dose deworming. Side effects are generally mild.

CRITICAL WARNING: Albendazole is completely forbidden in pregnancy — teratogenic (Category D).

Common Side Effects (Aam Nuksanat)

Abdominal pain
Nausea (matli)
Vomiting (ulti)
Headache (sir dard)

These side effects are generally mild and short-lived. After a single dose, most resolve within 1–2 days.

Uncommon Side Effects (Ghair Aam)

Dizziness (chakkar)
Diarrhea (dast)
Fever (bukhar)

Serious Side Effects (Sanjeedah Nuksanat)

Elevated liver enzymes / hepatotoxicity — see a doctor immediately
Leukopenia / thrombocytopenia (bone marrow suppression — rare, prolonged high-dose) — see a doctor immediately
Severe allergic reaction / anaphylaxis — go to the emergency room immediately
CNS die-off reaction — only occurs under specialist care

When to See a Doctor (Kab Doctor Se Milna Zaroori Hai)

Jaundice — sign of liver toxicity
Fever and unusual bruising / bleeding — sign of bone marrow suppression
Severe allergic reaction: rash, swelling, breathing difficulty — emergency
Worm symptoms do not resolve after 2 doses
If pregnancy is confirmed (accidental use) — see a doctor immediately

Pregnancy Warning (Special Warning)

Albendazole is a teratogenic medicine (Pregnancy Category D). It can cause serious harm to the development of the unborn baby.

A pregnancy test must be done before treatment
Use contraception during treatment and for 1 month after
If accidental use occurs, see a doctor immediately

Side Effects Summary Table

Type	Side Effect	Action
Common	Abdominal pain	Monitor / inform pharmacist
Common	Nausea	Monitor — usually self-limiting
Common	Vomiting	Monitor — usually self-limiting
Serious	Hepatotoxicity (jaundice)	See a doctor immediately
Serious	Bone marrow suppression	See a doctor immediately
Serious	Anaphylaxis	Emergency — go immediately
Critical	Use in pregnancy	Completely forbidden

Reporting Side Effects

If you notice any unexpected side effect, report it on the DRAP pharmacovigilance portal: https://www.dra.gov.pk/pharmacovigilance

The information in this guide is for educational purposes only. If you notice any side effect, contact your doctor or pharmacist.

Frequently Asked Questions

Albendazole ke side effects kya hain?

Common side effects: abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, headache — generally mild and short-lived. Liver enzymes may rise with prolonged use. Side effects are generally minimal for single-dose deworming.

Kya Albendazole liver ko nuksan pahuncha sakta hai?

The liver risk with a single dose is minimal. With prolonged or high-dose treatment (neurocysticercosis, hydatid), liver enzymes are monitored. If jaundice appears, see a doctor immediately.

Kya Albendazole se allergic reaction ho sakta hai?

Yes, in rare cases a severe allergic reaction (anaphylaxis) can occur. Signs: rash, swelling, breathing difficulty — go to the emergency room immediately.

Kya Albendazole pregnancy mein le sakte hain?

NO. Albendazole is teratogenic (Category D) — it can cause serious harm to the unborn baby during pregnancy. A pregnancy test must be done beforehand.

Side effects kitne arsay tak rehte hain?

After single-dose deworming, side effects generally resolve within 1–2 days. If they continue, see a doctor.

Sources

DRAP Registered Products Database — Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan
WHO Model List of Essential Medicines, 23rd ed. (2023) — World Health Organization
British National Formulary (BNF) — BMJ Group & Pharmaceutical Press

Medical disclaimer

This page is for educational use only and does not replace professional medical advice. Always confirm diagnosis, dose, and interactions with a qualified doctor or pharmacist before starting or changing any medicine.