Praziquantel is a medicine to treat worm infections . Some types of worm infections that can be treated with this drug are schistosomiasis, liver worm infections, and lung worm infections .
Praziquantel works by paralyzing and killing worms. After that, the worms can be destroyed in the body or excreted in the feces. This drug can be used to treat worm infections that spread outside the intestine.
Praziquantel trademark: -
What is Praziquantel
| class | Prescription drug |
| Category | Antihelmintic (worm medicine) |
| Benefit | Overcoming worm infections |
| Consumed by | Adults and children over 4 years of age |
| Praziquantel for pregnant and lactating women | Category B: Animal studies have not demonstrated a risk to the fetus, but there are no controlled studies in pregnant women. Praziquantel can be absorbed into breast milk. If you are breastfeeding, do not use this medicine without consulting your doctor first. |
| Drug form | Tablet |
Warning Before Consuming Praziquantel
- Tell your doctor about any history of allergies you have. Praziquantel should not be given to people who are allergic to this drug.
- Tell your doctor if you have had or currently have heart rhythm disturbances , kidney disease, liver disease, seizures, or epilepsy .
- Do not take praziquantel if you have been taking rifampicin in the past 4 weeks.
- Do not consume alcoholic beverages or grapefruit while taking praziquantel because they can increase the risk of side effects.
- Do not immediately drive a vehicle or do activities that require alertness after taking praziquantel, because this drug can cause dizziness and drowsiness.
- Tell your doctor if you are taking any other medications, including supplements and herbal products.
- Tell your doctor if you are pregnant, breastfeeding or planning a pregnancy.
- Immediately see a doctor if you experience a drug allergic reaction or serious side effects after taking praziquantel.
Dosage and Rules for Using Praziquantel
The following is the praziquantel dosage for adults and children over 4 years of age based on the condition being treated:
Conditions: Worm infections in the digestive tract, worm infections in the lungs, and worm infections in the liver ( clonorchiasis, opisthorchiasis, fascioliasis )
- 25 mg/kg, 3 times a day (every 4–6 hours), for 1–2 days. An alternative dose is 40 mg/kg as a single dose.
Condition: Schistosomiasis (snail fever)
- 20 mg/kg, 3 times a day (every 4–6 hours). An alternative dose is 40–60 mg/kg as a single dose.
How to Take Praziquantel Correctly
Always follow the doctor's recommendations and read the information printed on the packaging before taking praziquantel.
Praziquantel should be taken with food. Swallow the tablet directly with a glass of water. Do not chew praziquantel or leave it in your mouth for too long, as it has a bitter taste.
If you or your child cannot swallow praziquantel, crush the tablet and mix it with sweet food or drink. Immediately consume the mixture or a maximum of 1 hour after mixing.
Take praziquantel according to the prescribed dosage and duration even if you feel better. Do not increase or decrease the dose without consulting a doctor first because it has the potential to trigger the infection to come back again.
In certain cases, your doctor may advise you to divide the tablets according to your weight and condition. Make sure you cut it properly for optimal praziquantel benefits.
If you forget to take praziquantel , take this drug immediately if the break with the next schedule is not too close. If it's close, ignore it and don't double the dose.
Store praziquantel in a dry place, at room temperature, and avoid direct sunlight. Keep this drug out of reach of children.
Praziquantel Interactions with Other Drugs
The following are some of the interaction effects that can occur if praziquantel is used together with certain drugs:
- Loss of therapeutic effect of praziquantel when used with rifampicin
- Decreased effectiveness of praziquantel when used with carbamazepine , phenobarbital, phenytoin or dexamethasone
- Increased risk of praziquantel side effects when used with cimetidine , itraconazole, ketoconazole , or erythromycin
Praziquantel Side Effects and Dangers
Side effects that may arise after consuming praziquantel are:
- Headache
- Dizzy
- Stomach ache
- Nauseous
- Vomit
- Tired
- Weak
- Muscle or joint pain
- Loss of appetite
- Excessive sweating
Check with your doctor if these side effects don't go away or get worse. See your doctor immediately if you experience an allergic drug reaction or more serious side effects, such as bloody diarrhea, fever, seizures, or an irregular or slow heartbeat.