# Cysticercosis - Category: chronic - Review status: reviewed (every claim checked against a document named on this page) - Sources: ICPC-3 (WONCA International Classification of Primary Care, 3rd edition) class DD07.09 - condition scope only, no dose · Tapeworm - StatPearls (NCBI Bookshelf NBK537154) - https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK537154/ · Egyptian National Drug Formulary - Antimicrobial 2023 (albendazole monograph, p26) - Verified date: 2026-08 ## Verified against - Egyptian National Drug Formulary - Antimicrobial 2023 (albendazole monograph, p26) ## Treatment metadata - Albendazole — 400 mg — oral.solid - Referral & safety-netting (no drug therapy) ## Complete treatment card ```text CYSTICERCOSIS Sources: ICPC-3 (WONCA International Classification of Primary Care, 3rd edition) class DD07.09 - condition scope only, no dose · Tapeworm - StatPearls (NCBI Bookshelf NBK537154) - https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK537154/ · Egyptian National Drug Formulary - Antimicrobial 2023 (albendazole monograph, p26) Review status: REVIEWED against the source listed above (2026-08) Rx: Antiparasitic | Main treatment ANTIPARASITIC 1. ALBENDAZOLE [1st line] Adult 15 mg/kg/day in two divided doses, each dose capped at 600 mg x 8 to 30 days Peds 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.) 3kg -> 22.5 mg/dose 4kg -> 30 mg/dose 5kg -> 37.5 mg/dose 6kg -> 45 mg/dose 7kg -> 52.5 mg/dose 8kg -> 60 mg/dose 9kg -> 67.5 mg/dose 10kg -> 75 mg/dose 11kg -> 82.5 mg/dose 12kg -> 90 mg/dose 13kg -> 97.5 mg/dose 14kg -> 105 mg/dose 15kg -> 112.5 mg/dose 16kg -> 120 mg/dose 17kg -> 127.5 mg/dose 18kg -> 135 mg/dose 19kg -> 142.5 mg/dose 20kg -> 150 mg/dose 21kg -> 157.5 mg/dose 22kg -> 165 mg/dose 23kg -> 172.5 mg/dose 24kg -> 180 mg/dose 25kg -> 187.5 mg/dose 26kg -> 195 mg/dose 27kg -> 202.5 mg/dose 28kg -> 210 mg/dose 29kg -> 217.5 mg/dose 30kg -> 225 mg/dose 31kg -> 232.5 mg/dose 32kg -> 240 mg/dose 33kg -> 247.5 mg/dose 34kg -> 255 mg/dose 35kg -> 262.5 mg/dose 36kg -> 270 mg/dose 37kg -> 277.5 mg/dose 38kg -> 285 mg/dose 39kg -> 292.5 mg/dose 40kg -> 300 mg/dose 41kg -> 307.5 mg/dose 42kg -> 315 mg/dose 43kg -> 322.5 mg/dose 44kg -> 330 mg/dose 45kg -> 337.5 mg/dose 46kg -> 345 mg/dose 47kg -> 352.5 mg/dose 48kg -> 360 mg/dose 49kg -> 367.5 mg/dose 50kg -> 375 mg/dose Source Egyptian National Drug Formulary - Antimicrobial 2023 (albendazole monograph, p26) Why 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. Caution A STEROID GOES WITH IT FOR THE FIRST WEEK. The formulary states that patients should receive a corticosteroid concurrently for the first week of albendazole therapy: killing the cysts inflames the brain around them. AND AN ANTICONVULSANT AS REQUIRED, in the formulary's own words. Seizures are how neurocysticercosis usually presents and how treatment can make it worse. THIS IS SPECIALIST TREATMENT. Imaging of the brain, the number and stage of the lesions, and whether the cysts sit outside the brain parenchyma all change what is given and whether a drug should be given at all. Refer. What is set out here is what the drug treatment is, not permission to start it unsupervised. Do not give to anyone with a known allergy to albendazole or another benzimidazole. Egypt ALBENDAZOLE 400 MG 6 TABS PHARMA CURE P... 46.00 EGP (7.67/unit) ANTIZOLE 100MG/5ML SUSP. 30ML ALEXANDRIA 19.00 EGP -> ? strength differs, ? different route - not oral solid ALZENTAL 20MG/ML SUSP. 20ML EIPICO 21.00 EGP -> ? strength differs, ? different route - not oral solid MAIN TREATMENT 2. REFERRAL & SAFETY-NETTING (NO DRUG THERAPY) [1st line] Adult 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 Peds Children follow the same pathway: recognise and refer. No primary-care medicine is implied. Source No dose - referral pathway, no medicine given in primary care Why 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. Caution Rare in Egyptian primary care. The drug rows above are what the treating service gives. They are here so that the referral is an informed one and so the GP can recognise the regimen the patient comes back on - not as permission to start it without the referral. RED FLAG - A new-onset seizure, a focal neurological deficit, or signs of raised intracranial pressure (severe headache, vomiting, visual change): refer urgently. Prices are indicative (dataset snapshot 2026-06); verify with the pharmacy. ``` --- Dawaa Reference is a reference for prescribers, not a medical device, and does not replace clinical judgement. [Privacy policy](/privacy)