RÉSUMÉ
Albendazole is used in several antihelminthic drug programs. The need may rise to include sectors of the community [like nursing women] not previously involved in community or clinical programs. The problem of the impact of excreted drug and its metabolites in milk on the breast-fed infant is addressed. To study the pharmacokinetic parameters of albendazole and its metabolites in the milk of lactating women one single 400 mg oral dose of albendazole. 33 lactating women [age 18-40] were selected and participated in the study. They all received a single oral 400 rug dose of albendazole. Five milk samples were taken at 0, 6, 12, 24 and 36 hours after the oral dose. One serum sample was taken after 6 hours [with the 2nd milk sample]. Samples were analyzed using HPLC method. Pharmacokinetc study was performed. Albendazole 'AB' and its inactive metabolite ABSN were scarcely detected in milk samples after six hours of the oral dose. Only the active metabolite, ABSX, could be diluted at levels that allows pharmacokinetic study. The pharmacokinetic parameters of albendazole s11p13ide 'ABSX', were calculated as follows: 35 1.91 +/- 32.4 ng/mL; 6.9 +/- 0.49 hs; 12.37 +/- 2.18 hs and 5 190.28 +/- 482.8 ng. hr/mL for Cmax, Tmax, t 1/2 and AUCO-36, respectively. The ratio of albendazole and its metabolite was determined. After an oral dose of 400 rug, AB and ABSX attain levels in milk that are hardly considered harmful for the breast-fed infant