Praziquantel Tablet: Uses, Dosage, Side Effects, Precautions and Alternates

Quick overview

Praziquantel Tablet is an anthelmintic medication used to treat parasitic flatworm infections such as schistosomiasis, clonorchiasis, and opisthorchiasis. It works by paralyzing worms and damaging their outer surface so the body can destroy them. It is taken by mouth with water during meals, and dosing is based on body weight. As with any medicine, it carries possible side effects and precautions that should be discussed with your doctor.

What is Praziquantel Tablet

Praziquantel is an anti-worm medication used to treat parasitic flatworm infections. It comes as a film-coated tablet taken by mouth.

Praziquantel Tablet uses

• Schistosomiasis (infection caused by blood flukes such as Schistosoma mekongi, Schistosoma japonicum, Schistosoma mansoni and Schistosoma hematobium)
• Clonorchiasis (liver fluke infection caused by Clonorchis sinensis)
• Opisthorchiasis (liver fluke infection caused by Opisthorchis viverrini)

Benefits of Praziquantel Tablet

• Treats worm infections such as Schistosoma infection (worms that live in the blood) and liver fluke (worms that live in the liver)

How Praziquantel Tablet works

Praziquantel works by making the worms' muscles contract and paralyzing them, damaging their outer surface so the body's defenses can kill them. The exact way it works is not fully known.

Praziquantel Tablet dosage

Take tablets with water during meals. Do not chew the tablets or keep them in your mouth, as the bitter taste may cause gagging or vomiting. For children under 6 years of age, the tablets may be crushed or mixed with soft food or liquid to prevent choking, and should be used within 1 hour of mixing. Doses on the same day should be spaced 4 to 6 hours apart, as directed by your doctor. Complete the full course of treatment as prescribed by your doctor. If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember; if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed one and do not double up. Do not take more than the dose your doctor prescribed.

Available forms and strengths

• Tablet, film coated
• Tablet, coated
• Paste
• Powder

Side effects of Praziquantel Tablet

Common

• Headache
• Dizziness
• Abdominal discomfort or pain
• Nausea and vomiting
• Malaise
• Fever (pyrexia)
• Hives (urticaria)
• Loss of appetite
• Diarrhea
• Itching or rash
• Drowsiness
• Increased sweating
• Vertigo (sudden spinning sensation)
• Tiredness

Serious

• Convulsions or seizures
• Irregular heartbeat (arrhythmia, including slow heartbeat, ectopic rhythms, ventricular fibrillation, and heart block)
• Severe allergic reaction (anaphylaxis) or generalized hypersensitivity
• Stevens-Johnson syndrome (a severe skin reaction)
• Hepatitis (liver inflammation)
• Breathing problems such as wheezing or shortness of breath
• Clinical deterioration during the acute phase of schistosomiasis, which can lead to life-threatening problems like respiratory failure, brain swelling, or inflammation of blood vessels in the brain

Warnings and precautions

• Do not use this medicine if you have ocular cysticercosis (a tapeworm cyst infection in the eye), because killing the parasite can cause permanent eye damage.
• This medicine can cause potentially life-threatening reactions in people being treated during the acute phase of schistosomiasis, including breathing failure, brain problems, or swelling in the eye.
• This medicine can worsen central nervous system problems related to certain infections. Talk to your doctor if you have a history of seizures or brain-related symptoms before taking it.
• This medicine can cause heart rhythm problems, including slow heartbeat and dangerous rhythms. Your heart may need to be monitored during treatment if you have arrhythmia.
• Do not take this medicine together with rifampin or similar strong enzyme-inducing drugs, since it may not work properly.
• Avoid grapefruit juice, since it can increase the amount of this medicine in your blood and increase side effects.
• This medicine is not recommended for children younger than 4 years old, and safety in babies younger than 1 year has not been established.
• Praziquantel is only recommended during pregnancy if it is really needed. Studies have not found a link between praziquantel use in pregnancy and major birth defects, miscarriage, or other bad outcomes, but you should talk with your doctor about the risks and benefits.
• Small amounts of praziquantel can pass into breast milk. It's recommended only if necessary, and you may need to avoid breastfeeding on the day of the dose and for a few days afterward.
• No dose change is usually needed for kidney problems, but the drug is removed from the body mainly through the kidneys, and excretion may be slower if the kidneys are damaged.
• People with moderate to severe liver problems can have much higher and longer-lasting levels of the medicine in their blood, so doctors should watch closely for side effects.
• It isn't known how this medicine interacts with alcohol, so check with your doctor before drinking.
• Do not drive or operate heavy machinery on the day you take this medicine and the day after, since it can affect your alertness and cause dizziness.

Storage

• Store at 20° to 25°C (68° to 77°F); brief exposure to temperatures between 15° and 30°C (59° and 86°F) is permitted.

When to see a doctor

• Get medical help right away if you notice signs of a serious allergic reaction, such as rash, itching, or swelling of the face, lips, or throat.
• Seek emergency care if you think you have taken too much of this medicine.
• Tell your doctor right away about any irregular heartbeat you notice while taking this medicine.

Alternatives

• Albendazole
• Niclosamide
• Arpraziquantel
• Oxamniquine