Cysticercosis

15 mg/kg/day in two divided doses, each dose capped at 600 mg x 8 to 30 days

7.5 mg/kg/dose [child max 600 mg]

(Parenchymal neurocysticercosis in children and adolescents: 7.5 mg/kg per dose twice daily for 8 to 30 days, each dose capped at 600 mg. The grid above is per dose - twice this amount is given in 24 hours.)

Egyptian National Drug Formulary - Antimicrobial 2023 (albendazole monograph, p26)

The formulary lists treatment of parenchymal neurocysticercosis due to active lesions caused by larval forms of the pork tapeworm as an indication for albendazole, and gives the weight-based rule below in the same monograph. Note that the dose and the maximum are HIGHER than for hydatid disease, and that the formulary attaches two conditions to it, both carried into the cautions.

Tissue infection with pork-tapeworm larvae; rare in Egypt given low pork consumption. If neurocysticercosis is suspected (new seizures), GP starts an anticonvulsant and refers urgently for brain imaging, since antiparasitic treatment must be specialist-supervised because of the risk of triggering brain swelling. - Refer, with advice

Children follow the same pathway: recognise and refer. No primary-care medicine is implied.

No dose - referral pathway, no medicine given in primary care

Tissue infection with pork-tapeworm larvae; rare in Egypt given low pork consumption. If neurocysticercosis is suspected (new seizures), GP starts an anticonvulsant and refers urgently for brain imaging, since antiparasitic treatment must be specialist-supervised because of the risk of triggering brain swelling.