What is the Difference Between Albendazole and Fenbendazole

There is no significant difference between albendazole and fenbendazole. 

In brief, albendazole and fenbendazole are two types of benzimidazole, antihelminthic drugs with similar effects. They are used against gastrointestinal parasites giardia, roundworms, hookworms, whipworms, tapeworm genus Taenia, etc. Also, the common side effects include nausea, abdominal pains, and headaches. Besides, both are harmful for use during pregnancy.

Key Areas Covered

1. What are Benzimidazoles
   • Chemical Structure, Uses, Examples
2. What is Albendazole
   • Chemical Structure, Characteristics, Uses
3. What is Fenbendazole
   • Chemical Structure, Characteristics, Uses
4. Similarities Between Albendazole and Fenbendazole
   • Outline of Common Features
5. Difference Between Albendazole and Fenbendazole
   • Comparison of Key Differences

Key Terms

Albendazole, Fenbendazole

What are Benzimidazoles

Benzimidazoles are heterocyclic, aromatic, organic compounds that are bioactive. They contain both antihelminthic and antifungal drugs. Some examples of antihelminthic drugs include albendazole, mebendazole, and triclabendazole. Benzimidazole fungicides bind to the fungal microtubules and stop hyphal growth. They also bind to the spindle microtubules and block nuclear division. In addition, antacids are also benzimidazoles. For example, omeprazole, lansoprazole, pantoprazole, rabeprazole, and tenatoprazole all contain a benzimidazole group. Other drugs including galeterone, mavatrep, and dovitinib, as well as the benzimidazole opioids such as etonitazene, contain heterocyclic aromatic compounds. The Benzimidazole ring system is more frequent in benzimidazole derivatives and they are very common as small molecule drugs.

What is Albendazole

Albendazole is a drug that treats a variety of parasitic worm infestations. It should be taken orally. Albendazole was first developed in 1975 and is on the World Health Organization’s List of Essential Medicines. It is very similar to Fenbendazole. 

Figure 1: Albendazole

What is Fenbendazole

Fenbendazole is a broad-spectrum benzimidazole antihelminthic used against gastrointestinal parasites.

Figure 2: Fenbendazole

Structure

Moreover, both albendazole and fenbendazole are benzimidazoles that are heterocyclic aromatic organic compounds. They are bicyclic compounds fused with rings of the aromatic compounds, benzene, and imidazole. They are also colorless solids. Moreover, benzimidazoles are bioactive and important as antihelminthic drugs. In addition, they are important as antifungal drugs.

Parasitic Infections

Giardiasis, trichuriasis, filariasis, neurocysticercosis, hydatid disease, pinworm disease, and ascariasis are examples of parasitic worm infections Fenbendazole can treat. Normally, giardia, roundworms, hookworms, whipworms, the tapeworm genus Taenia, pinworms, aelurostrongylus, paragonimiasis, strongyles, and strongyloides are the types of diseases both albendazole and fenbendazole can treat. Apart from humans, both drugs are important in treating parasitic worm diseases in sheep, cattle, horses, fish, dogs, cats, rabbits, most reptiles, freshwater shrimp tanks, planaria, and hydra treatments, as well as in seals.

Common Side Effects

Generally, the common side effects of albendazole and fenbendazole include nausea, abdominal pains, and headaches. In addition, bone marrow repression and liver inflammation are the serious side effects of albendazole. However, both may cause harm if taken by pregnant women.

Similarities Between Albendazole and Fenbendazole

• Albendazole and Fenbendazole are two types of antihelminthic drugs to take orally.
• Both drugs are benzimidazoles.
• Moreover, they have similar structures, treatment methods, and side effects. 

Difference Between Albendazole and Fenbendazole

In general, there is no significant difference between albendazole and fenbendazole drugs. However, both are important as antihelminthic drugs.

Conclusion

In brief, albendazole and fenbendazole are two types of antihelminthic drugs. Significantly, they are benzimidazoles with fused benzene and imidazole rings. Furthermore, albendazole and fenbendazole are used against a wide variety of parasitic worms including giardia, roundworms, hookworms, whipworms, the tapeworm of genus Taenia, pinworms, aelurostrongylus, paragonimiasis, strongyles, and strongyloides. They are also important against the same parasitic infections including giardiasis, trichuriasis, filariasis, neurocysticercosis, hydatid disease, pinworm disease, ascariasis, etc. In addition, the common side effects of albendazole and fenbendazole are nausea, abdominal pains, and headaches. Therefore, there is no significant difference between albendazole and fenbendazole. 

References:

1. Wikimedia Foundation. (2022, August 17). Albendazole. Wikipedia. Retrieved September 12, 2022.
2. Wikimedia Foundation. (2022, June 24). Fenbendazole. Wikipedia. Retrieved September 12, 2022.

Image Courtesy:

1. “Albendazole ” By Vaccinationist – Own Work (Public Domain) via Commons Wikimedia
2. “Fenbendazole ” By Fvasconcellos – Own Work (Public Domain) via Commons Wikimedia