Praziquantel

Indications
 Oral
Schistosomiasis
Adult: 3 doses of 20 mg/kg every 4-6 hr or 40-60 mg/kg as a single dose.
Child: >4 yr: Same as adult dose.
Oral
Intestinal fluke infections
Adult: 25 mg/kg tid for 1-2 days or 40 mg/kg as a single daily dose.
Child: >4 yr: Same as adult dose.
Oral
Lung fluke infections
Adult: 25 mg/kg tid for 1-2 days or 40 mg/kg as a single daily dose.
Child: >4 yr: Same as adult dose.
Oral
Clonorchiasis
Adult: 25 mg/kg tid for 1-2 days or 40 mg/kg as a single daily dose.
Child: >4 yr: Same as adult dose.
Oral
Opisthorchiasis
Adult: 25 mg/kg tid for 1-2 days or 40 mg/kg as a single daily dose.
Child: >4 yr: Same as adult dose.
Oral
Tapeworm infections
Adult: 5-25 mg/kg as a single dose.
Child: >4 yr: Same as adult dose.
Oral
Neurocysticercosis
Adult: 50 mg/kg/day, given in 3 divided doses for 14 days. Alternatively, 3 doses of 25 mg/kg every 2 hr.
Contraindications
 Hypersensitivity, ocular cysticercosis.
Warnings / Precautions
 Driving or operating machinery during or for 24 hr after treatment. Severe hepatic disease. Do not breastfeed during or for 72 hr after treatment.
Adverse Reactions
 Headache, drowsiness, dizziness, malaise, abdominal discomfort, nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, urticaria, rashes, pruritus, fever, eosinophilia.
Drug Interactions
 Reduced plasma concentrations when used with dexamethasone. Carbamazepine, phenytoin and chloroquine may reduce the bioavailability of praziquantel while cimetidine may increase the bioavailabilty of praziquantel.
See Below for More praziquantel Drug Interactions
Mechanism of Actions
 Praziquantel is an anthelmintic with a broad spectrum of activity against trematodes (flukes) and cestodes (tapeworms). It increases the cell permeability to Ca in schistosomes, causing strong contractions and paralysis of worm musculature leading to detachment of suckers from the blood vessel walls and to dislodgement.
Absorption: 80% of dose is rapidly absorbed from the GIT (oral); peak plasma concentrations after 1-3 hr.
Distribution: CSF, enters breast milk.
Metabolism: Rapid and extensive hepatic first-pass metabolism by hydroxylation.
Excretion: Via urine (as metabolites); elimination half-life: 1-1.5 hr (parent drug), 4 hr (metabolites).
Administration
 Should be taken with food. (Swallow whole, do not chew/crush. )
ATC Classification
 P02BA01 - praziquantel ; Belongs to the class of quinoline derivatives and related substances used as antitrematodals.
Available As
  • Praziquantel 25 mg
  • Praziquantel 50 mg
  • Praziquantel 500 mg
  • Praziquantel 600 mg

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