What to Expect After Taking Zentel (Albendazole)?

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Written By Julie Ingram
A doctor explaining what to expect after taking Zentel to a woman and her child

Worms in the stomach can be the cause of multiple health disorders.

It is necessary to get rid of worms as soon as possible. 

And medicines, especially Zentel, are your best shot at killing those parasites. So what to expect after taking Zentel (Albendazole)? 

Taking Zentel pills will eliminate the worms present in the stomach by restricting their sugar supply, starving the parasites, and killing them.

Zentel contains Albendazole as its active compound. Albendazole is a deworming medicine widely used to treat intestinal worm infections.

Contaminated food or water, contaminated soil, or direct contact with animal feces are the leading causes of intestinal worm infection.

The National Library of Medicine states that intestinal worms infect more than 3.5 billion people globally.

Out of them, 450 million are sick, the majority being kids aged 6-8.

Most doctors prescribe a single dose of Zentel half-yearly for children and annually for adults. 

Albendazole works for most parasitic worms that could be present in the gut.

Do worms come out after ingesting Zentel

Zentel restricts parasites from consuming any sugar, weakening them and eventually starving them to death. 

After which, our body excretes dead worms, eggs, and larvae.

You may be surprised to see living or dead worms in your feces, but this is normal after taking deworming medicines. 

You can skim through our Detailed Guide on Worm Medicine for Humans for more information.

How quickly does Zentel work

Zentel syrup or pill starts showing its effects two to five hours after ingesting.

The medication takes around three days to eliminate all the worms and eggs from your system. 

Zentel may remain active inside your body during this duration, leading to minor side effects discussed later in the article.

Have you ever wondered if it is possible to eliminate worms without using medicines? Delve into this articleHow to Get Rid of Worms and Parasites in Humans Without Medication?

Side effects associated with Zentel

A woman making a heart with her hands in front of her stomach
Adene Sanchez

Different people react differently to medication depending on their physiology. 

So, what side effects to expect to have after taking Zentel (Albendazole)? 

The most common side effects of Zentel are:

  • Stomach Pain
  • Vomiting
  • Nausea
  • Headache
  • Dizziness
  • Diarrhea
  • Mild rashes
  • Frequent tiredness
  • Fever
  • Dysentery

These side effects are mild and therefore do not require any treatment. 

However, if you feel uneasy or these side effects worsen, you should contact your healthcare provider. 

Stop consuming Zentel pills if you experience any of the following side effects:

  • Swelling of any part of the body
  • Breathing problems like shortness of breath
  • Severe skin rashes

These signs mentioned above are that of a severe allergic reaction.

Although, there are very few cases of people being allergic to Zentel.

In some rare cases, Zentel may cause liver problems.

Consult with your doctor before taking Zentel if you face issues with your liver. 

Contact your doctor immediately if there is any yellowing of eyes, skin, or discoloration of urine/stool.

These are symptoms of jaundice and require further investigation and treatment.

Are you aware that certain foods can naturally help kill parasites? Find insights in the article7 Foods That Kill Intestinal Parasites in Humans

Who should avoid taking Zentel

Although almost everyone can consume Albendazole, there are a few exceptions and rules.

Women who are early in pregnancy should avoid deworming, including Zentel since it is considered harmful to the fetus.

Therefore, women who aren’t sure if they are expecting should take a pregnancy test before taking Zentel (Albendazole).

Lactating women should avoid breastfeeding while taking Zentel.

Traces of this medicine can pass in the milk, which can be harmful to the baby. 

However, they can continue breastfeeding five days after taking the last dose of Zentel. 

In addition, kids under the age of two should not take Zentel.

Before taking Albendazole, people with kidney or liver disease should discuss their issues with a doctor.

If you fall into one of these categories, you are probably wondering if you can get rid of worms naturally.

Things to avoid while on Zentel

Do not consume alcohol while on Zentel since it can adversely affect your liver.

Do not operate heavy machinery right after consuming Zentel since it can sometimes cause dizziness.

Avoid direct contact with sick people to avoid an infection.

It would help if you did not take some medicines together since they can interfere with one another. 

Therefore, tell your doctor about other prescription medicines that you are on.

For more information, you can go through this article on Foods and Beverages to Avoid While Taking Albendazole.

How often should you take Zentel pills

Zentel dosage can differ from patient to patient depending on their age, weight, and the infection’s severity and type.

Zentel is a prescription drug which means you can purchase it only after consulting with a doctor. 

Doctors advise all adults to deworm at least once a year. This frequency might be higher for children since they are more vulnerable to intestinal worms.

Not sure about where to buy this medicine? Find the guidance in this articleWhere Can I Buy Zentel Worm Medicine?

Zentel: tablet or syrup

A sick child taking Zentel worm medicine syrup
Yakobchuk Olena

Depending on your preference, you can choose between Zentel pills or Zentel syrup.

So what to expect after taking Zentel (Albendazole) Syrup?

Most studies show that our bodies absorb syrup more readily than tablets. 

Also, syrups have a higher optimization rate and are easier to digest. 

Most children and the elderly find it difficult to swallow tablets. Therefore, syrups are an excellent alternative to pills.

You can use pills and syrups interchangeably if they contain the same active ingredients. 

You can buy both Zentel tablets and Syrup from For Daily Medicine. At For Daily Medicine, we aim to provide the best quality medicines at the cheapest prices.

However, if you have any more doubts, you can read our detailed article on Zentel Syrup.

Alternatives to Zentel

Zentel(Albendazole) and Mebendazole are the two primary medicines available to cure intestinal worm infections. 

Both Albendazole and Mebendazole are anthelmintics (anti-worm medicines). 

As stated by the National Library of Medicine, the former’s cure rate for hookworms was higher than the latter.

Therefore, most doctors consider prescribing Albendazole over Mebendazole.

To sum up, most studies concluded that Albendazole or Zentel is more effective than Mebendazole. 

If Albendazole isn’t effective for your needs, consider Mebendazole as an alternative. To understand the differences between the two in detail, read this articleMebendazole vs Albendazole

Frequently Asked Questions

Can we consume food with Zentel?

Doctors suggest that taking deworming medicines with food rich in fat increases the absorption capabilities of the drug.

Can I take Albendazole for three days?

Research suggests taking Albendazole for at least three days for light infections and five to seven days for severe infections.
Although, consult with a doctor before taking Albendazole.

When do you repeat Zentel?

You might need to visit your doctor after three to four weeks for a check-up. Your doctor might recommend another course of Zentel if the infection persists.

Can worms make you hungry?

Not usually. In fact, the opposite is true as some worms(especially tapeworms) make you lose your appetite.

Can Albendazole cause hair loss?

Yes, Albendazole can cause hair fall, but according to the National Library of Medicine, this hair fall is temporary and reversible.