Zentel (Albendazole) is an FDA-approved drug used to ward off intestinal parasites.
Some foods and beverages can cause side effects, such as nausea and vomiting.
Others can make the medication less effective by causing the parasite to build up resistance.
Therefore, this decreases the efficacy of the medicine.
When it comes to foods and beverages to avoid while taking Albendazole, there are a few guidelines that you should adhere to.
Some foods and beverages can interact with Zentel (Albendazole) and cause unnecessary side effects.
Also Read: A Detailed Guide on Worm Medicine for Humans
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How does Zentel work?
Zentel (Albendazole) belongs to a class of medication called Anthelmintic, which means anti-worm drug.
Zentel rages war against parasites by shutting off their sugar and starch supply.
This war starves the parasites and makes them weak.
After which, Zentel paralyzes the parasites and kills them.
To know more, check out our article: What is Zentel (Albendazole) Used For?
What are intestinal parasites?
Intestinal parasites are tiny organisms that can live inside the human body for years and feed off of them.
Intestinal parasites can cause various symptoms in humans, including itching, abdominal pain, and even diarrhea.
In some cases, parasites can lead to more severe illnesses.
For example, some parasites can cause Visceral Larva Migran, which causes the intestines to be inflamed.
Recommended Reading: What to Expect After Taking Zentel?
Beverages to avoid while taking Zentel
In foods and beverages to avoid while taking Zentel, alcohol ranks at number one.
Whether it’s a pint of brewed beer or a glass of single malt scotch, you aren’t allowed to have it while you’re on Zentel.
Recommended Reading: Mebendazole vs. Albendazole
WebMD firmly believes that you should not consume alcohol while taking this medicine because it can harm your liver.
Zentel releases liver enzymes that can cause harm to our liver if we consume alcoholic beverages.
Also Read: How to Get Rid of Worms and Parasites?
Foods to avoid while taking Zentel (Albendazole)
There is very little research on foods to avoid while taking Albendazole.
Grapefruit has been very controversial in this aspect.
There is an ongoing debate on whether or not grapefruit and grapefruit juice should be consumed while taking Zentel.
Also Read: Where Can I Buy Zentel Worm Medicine?
An article from WebMD warns us not to drink grapefruit juice as it could be harmful to our bodies.
On the contrary, another article from drugs.com states boldly that consuming grapefruit and grapefruit juice can increase our body’s ability to absorb the medicine.
Therefore, you can either choose to take it or avoid it altogether depending on which side to lean towards.
However, it is wise to avoid it and not take any chances.
Recommended Reading: How to Get Rid of Worms in Humans Without Medication?
What foods can replace Zentel worm medicine?
Research in this field is scarce, although there are some foods and remedies that claim to kill intestinal worms.
- Consuming foods rich in beta-carotene can help elevate Vitamin A levels in the body. This can help increase our immunity against worms that have taken your stomach hostage.
- Foods like raw garlic and papaya seeds are also healthy foods for a clean tummy.
- Berberine-rich foods are also famous for killing intestinal worms.
To know more about such foods, you can check out our article on 7 Foods That Kill Intestinal Parasites in Humans.
Did you know that Zentel is also available in syrup form?
You can read our detailed article to know more on Zentel Syrup- The Best Deworming Solution