Hydatid disease (aka echinococcosis) of the liver, lung, and peritoneum (caused by the larval form of the dog tapeworm, Echinococcus granulosus) or of the alveoli (caused by E. multilocularis) when surgical excision is not possible. Some suggest that alveolar and cystic echinococcosis require lifelong treatment with albendazole, which only prevents the parasites from growing and reproducing rather than killing them outright. Nematodes
Ascariasis, which can be cured with a single dose of albendazole. Baylisascariasis, caused by the raccoon roundworm. If treatment with Albendazole is initiated within 72 hours of ingestion of the egg-containing raccoon feces, good results (95%-100% efficacy, with Albendazole being orally administered for a 10-day period) can be expected. Corticosteroids are sometimes added in cases of eye and CNS infections. Enterobiasis (pinworm infection)
Filariasis; since albendazoles disintegration of the microfilarie ("pre-larva") can cause an allergic reaction, antihistamines or corticosteroids are sometimes added to treatment. In cases of lymphatic filariasis (elephantiasis) caused by Wuchereria bancrofti or Brugia malayi, albendazole is sometimes given as an adjunct to ivermectin or diethylcarbamazine in order to suppress microfilaremia. It can also be given for loa loa filariasis as an adjunct or replacement to diethylcarbamazine. Albendazole has an embryotoxic effect on Loa loa adults and thus slowly reduces microfilaremia. Gnathostomiasis when caused by Gnathostoma spinigerum. Albendazole has a similar effectiveness to ivermectin in these cases, though it needs to be given for 21 days rather than the 2 days needed for ivermectin. Gongylonemiasis
Hookworm infections, including cutaneous larva migrans caused by hookworms in the genus Ancylostoma.
Pregnancy and breastfeeding
Stavudine has been demonstrated to affect the fetus in animal studies but no data are available from human studies. Pregnant women should therefore be given stavudine only if the potential benefits outweigh the potential harm to the fetus. Additionally, there have been case reports of fatal lactic acidosis in pregnant women receiving combination therapy of stavudine and didanosine with other antiviral agents.The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommend that HIV-infected mothers not breastfeed their infants, in order to avoid the risk of HIV transmission through breast milk. There is also evidence that stavudine gets into animal breast milk, although no data are available for human breast milk. Children
Stavudine is safe for use in children infected with HIV from birth through adolescence. Adverse effects and safety profile are the same as adults. Elderly
There is no data available for stavudine use in HIV-infected adults aged 65 years or older. However, among 12,000 people over the age of 65, 30% developed peripheral neuropathy. Additionally, since the elderly are more likely to have decreased renal function, they are more likely to develop toxic side effects. Adverse events
Common side effects
Nausea
Vomiting
Diarrhea
Headache
Upset stomachSevere side effects
Peripheral neuropathy
Lactic acidosis
Pancreatitis
Hepatotoxicity
Hepatomegaly with steatosis
Lipoatrophy/lipodystrophy (fat redistribution/accumulation)Individuals are monitored for the development of these serious adverse effects. The development of peripheral neuropathy is shown to be dose related, and may be resolved if the drug is discontinued.