The effectiveness of 3, 5 or 7 days of albendazole for the treatment of Trichuris trichiura infection.

A randomized clinical trial was carried out to study the relationship between the duration of albendazole therapy, at 400 mg/day, and its effectiveness in the treatment of Trichuris trichiura infection. The 168 patients were treated for three (N=56), five (N=56) or seven (N=56) consecutive days. Compared with both of the shorter regimens, treatment for 7 days resulted in a significantly higher cure 'rate' and significantly greater reductions in the level of egg excretion. The advantage of using the longer (5- or 7-day) regimens was most apparent among the patients who had heavy infections (at least 1000 Trichuris eggs/g faeces) when treated. It is therefore suggested that albendazole be given for at least 3 days to those with light infections and for 5-7 days to patients with heavy infections.