Albendazole (Squirmy little heterocycle)

Albendazole is a member of the benzimidazoles - the 6+5 membered ring system at the heart of the molecule. The benzimidazole class of drugs is used to treat many parasitic worm infections. They work by impairing microtubule function.

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The benzimidazoles are gratifyingly simple-looking drugs. Contrast Taxol, a much woolier-looking drug that operates on microtubules (in another way, which we'll cover another day; furthermore, that one works on cancer, not worms).

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