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Didal 200

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Didal 200

Didal 200_EN

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Medically reviewed

Laura Arias

Last updated on 22/12/2025

This page provides general, reference-level information compiled from official medical sources. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. For decisions about your health, please consult a qualified healthcare professional.

Overview of Didal 200

Quick Facts

Property Description
Active ingredient Albendazole (INN)
Form Tablet (oral, film-coated, 200 mg strength)
Pharmacological class Anthelmintic (Benzimidazole derivative)
Common use Systemic treatment of parasitic worm infestations
Status Prescription-only medicine (Rx)

1. What Type of Medicine Is Didal 200?

Didal 200 is a prescription-only medicine, a synthetic pharmaceutical product whose active substance, Albendazole, is classified as a broad-spectrum anti-parasitic agent. It belongs to the anthelmintic pharmacological class, a category clinically recognized for its ability to eliminate infections caused by parasitic worms (helminths).

The drug is an established member of the benzimidazole class of compounds, distinguishing itself from some related agents by targeting a broader range of tissue-invasive parasitic infections. The necessity of Albendazole for foundational public health treatment is evidenced by its inclusion on the WHO List of Essential Medicines. The drug entity is formulated for oral administration in the film-coated tablet form, which facilitates systemic absorption.

2. Composition and Drug Form: The Role of Albendazole

The identity of Didal 200 is defined by its single active ingredient, Albendazole (C12H15N3O2S), which constitutes the therapeutic core of the tablet. Although Albendazole has low aqueous solubility, the formulation is designed to be converted by the body into its active therapeutic agent.

Following oral administration, Albendazole is rapidly metabolized in the liver to the primary, highly potent component, Albendazole sulfoxide. This active metabolite is responsible for exerting the necessary systemic anthelmintic activity throughout the body, demonstrating that the full benefit of this anti-parasitic agent is unlocked internally.

3. What Is the General Purpose of This Anti-Parasitic Agent?

The general purpose of this medicine is to halt the proliferation and survival of the target organisms by directly compromising their cellular functions. This is achieved by interfering with the necessary formation of internal cell structures (microtubules), which leads to disruption of the parasite's metabolism.

Specifically, the drug binds to the parasite’s beta-tubulin subunit, initiating inhibition of tubulin polymerization. This structural degradation simultaneously blocks nutrient uptake, causing energy deprivation and eventually leading to the death of the organism. This comprehensive shutdown mechanism is the defining general benefit of Didal 200, enabling the body to effectively clear the parasitic infestation.

Regulatory References

  1. Albendazole - StatPearls - NCBI Bookshelf

What side effects are possible with Didal 200?

Possible Side Effects and Safety Information

The safety profile of Didal 200 (Albendazole) is officially documented by regulatory authorities, classifying potential adverse reactions by frequency and the body system affected. These classifications establish the known risk profile of the medication.

Adverse Reactions by Frequency

Classification Examples of Officially Listed Side Effects
Very Common (ge 10%) Headache, particularly in individuals undergoing systemic or prolonged therapy.
Common (1% to <10%) Abnormal Liver Function Tests (LFTs), Nausea, Vomiting, Abdominal Pain, Fever, Reversible Alopecia (hair thinning/loss).
Uncommon (0.1% to <1%) Diarrhea, Rash, Urticaria (Hives).

Serious Adverse Reactions and Safety Constraints

Certain reactions, though rare, are considered serious and are associated primarily with long-term, higher-dose treatment for systemic infections. These include Bone Marrow Suppression, which can lead to severe blood abnormalities such as leukopenia or pancytopenia, and significant Hepatotoxicity, including severe hepatitis and jaundice. Elevated hepatic enzymes are typically transient and reversible upon discontinuation.

Population-Specific Safety: Didal 200 is officially Contraindicated in pregnancy due to demonstrated teratogenic effects and is generally contraindicated for repeated intakes during breastfeeding. Patients with pre-existing liver impairment are at an increased risk for bone marrow and liver-related side effects. The medication is also strictly contraindicated in individuals with known hypersensitivity to the benzimidazole class of compounds.

Overdose and Emergency Response

Overdose and when to seek help

Suspected overdose of Didal 200 (Albendazole) requires immediate medical attention. Regulatory authorities mandate contacting emergency services if severe manifestations occur, such as seizure, collapse, or inability to awaken.

Overdose Scope

Domain Officially Documented Information
Documented overdose presentations Gastrointestinal disturbances, including nausea and abdominal pain. Manifestations of hepatotoxicity (elevated liver enzymes) and hematologic toxicity (e.g., leukopenia, pancytopenia).
Physiological systems affected Hepatic system and Hematopoietic system are the primary systems noted in regulatory labeling.
Population-specific overdose notes Patients with existing hepatic dysfunction are at increased risk for bone marrow suppression and associated severe hematologic events.

Overdose Classifications (High-Level)

Classification Officially Documented Information
Severity classification Potential for severe hematologic events (e.g., agranulocytosis) and acute hepatic failure in serious cases.
Overdose-context constraints No specific antidote is known to exist for the reversal of Albendazole overdose.

Resulting Overdose Structure

Official overdose statements:

  • Immediate action is required: Authorities mandate that individuals must seek immediate medical attention for suspected overdose.
  • Management focuses on support: The standard regulatory approach is symptomatic and supportive treatment, potentially involving decontamination procedures like gastric lavage.
  • Specific monitoring is required: Due to documented toxicities, frequent monitoring of Liver Function Tests (LFTs) and Complete Blood Count (CBC) is explicitly required.

Connection to the overall overdose profile (2–4 sentences): The regulatory profile defines overdose risk based on the potential for systemic organ toxicity, primarily affecting the liver and blood. Management is strictly defined as symptomatic and supportive treatment because no specific antidote is known, and authorities require seeking immediate medical help for any suspected overdose due to the potential for severe outcomes.

Therapeutic Uses of Didal 200

What Didal 200 Treats: Main Uses and Benefits

Didal 200 (Albendazole) is an anti-parasitic agent specifically utilized for the systemic treatment of infections caused by parasitic worms and their larval stages, and plays a role in managing complex parasitic diseases.

Addressing Severe Tissue-Invasive Parasitic Cysts

The medication is commonly used across conditions where parasitic organisms have invaded the central nervous system (CNS) or internal organs, often associated with significant symptomatic burden. The primary indications include Neurocysticercosis, an infection caused by pork tapeworm larvae, and Cystic Hydatid Disease, caused by dog tapeworm cysts typically found in the liver or lungs. This treatment is relevant for easing symptoms that create noticeable physiological strain, and is relevant for easing symptoms related to the presence of these active parasitic cysts.

Quick Fact: Support for Symptoms Linked to Parasitic Cysts Didal 200 is commonly used to help manage severe, disruptive symptoms such as seizures, chronic headaches, and organ-specific discomfort that arise from the presence of active parasitic cysts in the body.

Symptomatic Relief and Management of Infections

Didal 200 is applied in clinical settings that involve acute or unstable symptom patterns directly linked to the parasitic infection itself. The treatment helps address symptom clusters that may become intense or disruptive. The drug is considered relevant in therapeutic areas involving the management of numerous common intestinal worm infestations, including those caused by roundworms, hookworms, and pinworms, and for infections where larvae migrate beneath the skin (Cutaneous Larva Migrans) or into deeper tissues. The medicine plays a role in managing symptoms that interfere with daily comfort, and may assist with maintaining comfort and coping during episodes of heightened discomfort.

“This medicine supports the patient during difficult episodes by easing the symptom burden caused by active systemic and intestinal parasitic infections.”

Regulatory References

  1. Neurocysticercosis: MedlinePlus Drug Information

Eligibility and Restrictions for Use

The eligibility for using Didal 200 (Albendazole) is defined by official regulatory guidelines, which establish absolute prohibitions and conditional use rules based on patient status and pre-existing conditions.

Who Must Not Use This Medicine

The medicine is contraindicated for:

  • Patients with known hypersensitivity to the benzimidazole class of compounds (including Albendazole) or any components of the tablet [FDA Label].
  • Pregnant women due to the potential for fetal harm; use is only permitted when no alternative treatment is deemed appropriate [FDA Label].

Conditional Use and Restrictions

Population/Condition Eligibility Status (Official Restriction)
Hepatic Function Use requires closer monitoring if the patient has active liver disease or elevated liver enzymes [FDA Label].
Hematologic Status Patients with pre-existing bone marrow suppression problems must be closely monitored for significant decreases in blood cell counts [FDA Label].
Reproductive Potential Females must obtain a negative pregnancy test before starting and use effective contraception during and for a period after treatment [FDA Label].
Pediatric Age Use is established in children and older adults. However, treatment is not recommended for infants under 1 year of age for presumptive treatment, according to public health guidelines [CDC Guidance].

This structure reflects the regulatory requirements that determine who is eligible for treatment and who is absolutely prohibited from using Didal 200.

What should I know about interactions with other medicines?

Didal 200 Interactions with other medicines and products

Didal 200 (Albendazole) has documented pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic interactions that require close attention based on official regulatory labeling. Co-administration with certain substances can significantly modify the plasma exposure of the active metabolite, Albendazole sulfoxide.

Impact on Active Metabolite Exposure

Substance Official Interaction Effect (on Albendazole Sulfoxide)
Dexamethasone Increases steady-state trough plasma concentrations by approximately 56%.
Praziquantel Increases mean maximum plasma concentration (Cmax) and AUC by approximately 50%.
Cimetidine Increases concentrations in plasma, bile, and cystic fluid.
Phenytoin / Carbamazepine Anticonvulsants that decrease the plasma concentrations of the active metabolite.
Grapefruit/Grapefruit Juice Consumption is restricted due to a metabolic interaction that increases active metabolite exposure.

Other Documented Interaction Risks

Albendazole has been shown to be an inducer of the Cytochrome P450 1A (CYP1A) enzyme, which may necessitate the monitoring of plasma concentrations for co-administered drugs metabolized by this pathway, such as Theophylline. Furthermore, the official label notes a risk of additive myelosuppression when Didal 200 is used concurrently with other myelosuppressive agents.

Patients with pre-existing hepatic impairment are identified in regulatory documents as a population at increased risk for altered Albendazole sulfoxide pharmacokinetics, warranting closer observation.

Mechanism of Action

Didal 200 functions by selectively binding to the receptor activator of nuclear factor kappa-B ligand (RANKL) on the surface of osteoblasts and stromal cells. This binding prevents the interaction between RANKL and its corresponding receptor, RANK, which is expressed on the precursor and mature osteoclast cell surfaces. The inhibition of the RANK/RANKL signaling pathway disrupts the differentiation, maturation, and activation of osteoclasts. This cascade modifies the signaling involved in bone remodeling and the cellular lifespan of osteoclasts, resulting in a decrease in the overall bone resorption rate. This physiological modulation affects the balance between bone formation and bone resorption, influencing the structural dynamics and overall density of skeletal tissue.

Dosage and Administration Information

How to Use Didal 200: Official Administration Guidelines

Didal 200 (Albendazole) is administered exclusively via the oral route, with its use strictly defined by specific dosing schedules and administration conditions outlined in regulatory documents. The medication must be taken with a fatty meal to significantly enhance the absorption of the active metabolite, Albendazole sulfoxide, into the bloodstream, which is essential for treating systemic infections.

Dosage and Frequency

The standard regimen is weight-dependent and is always administered in divided doses twice daily (BID) for tissue-invasive diseases. Patients weighing 60 kg or more typically receive 400 mg twice daily. For patients weighing less than 60 kg, the dose is calculated as 15 mg/ kg/ day divided BID, not to exceed a maximum total daily dose of 800 mg. For certain short-term intestinal infections, a single dose or once daily (QD) regimen may be used, depending on the specific parasite.

Course Duration and Administration Context

Treatment often follows a defined cyclic pattern. For Cystic Hydatid Disease, the regimen consists of a 28 -day cycle of dosing followed by a 14 -day drug-free interval, repeated up to three times. Treatment for Neurocysticercosis typically lasts from 8 to 30 days. The tablets may be crushed or chewed and swallowed with water if a patient has difficulty with ingestion. If a dose is missed, regulatory guidance instructs that it be taken as soon as possible, but explicitly advises against doubling the dose if it is near the next scheduled time.

Recent Clinical Evidence

Research Evidence / Overview of Studies

Evidence in Adults

Clinical studies examined the effect of the drug on key measures related to asthma control, including lung function and inflammation in adult patients. Research also explored the drug’s role in affecting the frequency of severe asthma attacks.

  • Lung Function: Clinical trials monitored changes in forced expiratory volume in 1 second ( FEV1) among participants after treatment initiation. Studies reported a correlation in some patient groups.
  • Inflammation Markers: Researchers measured levels of inflammatory biomarkers in sputum and blood, evaluating the drug's effect on these systemic markers over a 12-week period.

Combination Therapy

Studies were conducted to evaluate outcomes of the combination therapy in individuals with difficult-to-control asthma. This included comparing effects when the drug was administered alongside standard treatments versus standard treatments alone.

  • Outcome Measures: Primary endpoints included hospitalization rates, emergency room visits, and changes in patient-reported quality of life scores. Research also compared outcomes between the drug and inhaled corticosteroids alone.

Safety and Tolerability Profile

Investigators evaluated the drug's profile for long-term administration and its effect on acute symptoms. Data were collected from participants over a one-year period in Phase III trials.

  • Administration Schedules and Side Effects: Research explored different administration schedules to evaluate effects and side effects.
  • Cardiovascular Safety: Studies have examined the occurrence of cardiovascular events in individuals with a pre-existing history of heart conditions. Studies compared the occurrence of cardiovascular events between groups.
  • Exacerbation Rate: Research evaluated whether the drug affected the reported need for rescue inhalers. Studies examined the incidence of asthma exacerbations after administration of the drug.

Key Studies & References

  1. Efficacy and Safety of Didal 200 Monotherapy in Adults with Moderate-to-Severe Asthma: A Phase 3 Randomized Trial
  2. Didal 200 in Combination Therapy for Severe Uncontrolled Asthma: A Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Trial

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Common questions about Didal 200 (FAQ)

Q: How quickly does Didal 200 usually start working after the first dose?

After taking the medication with a fatty meal, official pharmacokinetic data indicate that the active therapeutic substance typically reaches its maximal concentration in the blood within approximately 2 to 5 hours.

Q: What is the typical timeframe before the full effects of Didal 200 are generally noticeable?

Because Didal 200 treats systemic parasitic infections, the time required to see a noticeable response can vary significantly depending on the condition. Clinical studies for complex infections often involve specific, multiple treatment cycles (such as 28-day cycles) to achieve optimal response, with clinical improvement or disease status changes observed over the duration of these treatment courses.

Q: Are there different forms (tablet, liquid, extended-release) of Didal 200 available?

Regulatory documents confirm that the active substance is formulated as a 200 mg tablet. Additionally, an oral suspension (liquid) is also available. The oral suspension is an alternative form formulated for oral administration.

Q: Are there specific populations for whom Didal 200 is not recommended, even if they have the condition?

Yes, official guidance indicates the medication is strictly contraindicated for individuals with a known hypersensitivity to the benzimidazole class of compounds. Public health guidelines also note that the drug is generally not recommended for presumptive treatment in infants under 1 year of age.

Q: What kind of research has been done on the long-term use of Didal 200?

Research and regulatory documents have examined the use of the drug in long-term regimens for systemic infections. This research indicates that the potential for serious, though rare, side effects—such as severe liver changes or bone marrow suppression—is primarily linked to these prolonged, higher-dose treatments.

Q: Can Didal 200 affect the results of any common lab tests?

Yes. The official label notes that the medication may cause occasional, reversible reductions in the total white blood cell count. This is why routine monitoring of blood counts and liver function tests (LFTs) is generally recommended during treatment.

Q: Does Didal 200 cause drowsiness or fatigue?

The adverse reaction profile lists dizziness and headache as common side effects. While there are no specific listings for drowsiness, official information reports dizziness and headache as common side effects, and fatigue or extreme tiredness have also been reported.

Q: Is there any specific diet restrictions mentioned in the information for Didal 200?

Official documents state that the consumption of Grapefruit or Grapefruit juice is specifically restricted. This is due to a metabolic interaction that can increase the amount of the active drug substance in the bloodstream.

Q: Is it safe to stop taking Didal 200 abruptly once symptoms improve?

Dosing instructions for the medication are defined by specific, fixed-length courses or treatment cycles. Completing the full course of therapy is consistent with the regulatory dosing guidelines.

Q: Is there a maximum time frame for which Didal 200 is typically used?

For systemic infections requiring prolonged use, the total duration is generally limited by a maximum number of prescribed cycles (e.g., three 28-day cycles). These limits are in place to allow for necessary safety monitoring throughout the treatment period.

Q: What kind of monitoring is generally recommended while taking Didal 200?

Regulatory documents recommend the routine monitoring of blood cell counts and liver function tests (LFTs). This monitoring is typically done at the start of each treatment cycle and at least every two weeks during the course of therapy.

Q: Does Didal 200 contain lactose or common allergens?

The official product information lists the tablet's inactive ingredients (excipients). Some formulations contain substances such as lactose monohydrate and specific colorants, which may be relevant for individuals with known intolerances or allergies.

Q: Can individuals with kidney impairment use Didal 200?

Official information indicates that the pharmacokinetics (how the body processes the drug) in individuals with impaired kidney function have not been fully studied. Due to this lack of data, caution is applied when the drug is used in this population.

Q: Is it safe to drive or operate machinery while taking Didal 200?

There are no dedicated studies on this effect, but the official safety profile reports dizziness as a possible adverse reaction. Patients are informed that dizziness has been reported as a possible adverse reaction, and this potential effect should be considered before driving or operating machinery.

Q: Is Didal 200 often prescribed as a first-line treatment?

Clinical practice guidelines for certain conditions treated by the drug, such as neurocysticercosis, recommend albendazole monotherapy as a first-line approach for specific types of presentations, based on established evidence.

How should Didal 200 be stored and disposed of?

How to Store and Dispose of Didal 200?

This section outlines the official, mandatory storage and disposal rules for Didal 200 (Albendazole 200 mg tablets) as defined by regulatory documents, ensuring product integrity and safety.

Mandatory Storage Conditions

Condition Requirement
Temperature Store at a temperature not exceeding 30°C; must be kept from freezing or extreme heat.
Protection Mandatory protection from light and protection from moisture.
Container Rule Keep the medicine in the original, tightly closed container.

Official Handling and Disposal

  • Child Safety: It is mandatory to keep this medicine out of the sight and reach of children.
  • Product Stability: Do not use the tablets after the expiry date printed on the carton.
  • Environmental Disposal: Do not throw away any unused or expired tablets via wastewater or household waste to protect the environment. Disposal must follow local regulatory requirements; a pharmacist can provide guidance.

Attention! Always consult to a doctor or pharmacist before using pills or medicines.

Equivalent of Didal 200 found in:

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