Praziquantel
About
Praziquantel belongs to the class of medicines called anthelmintics used to treat infections due to Schistosoma and liver fluke. Schistosomiasis, also known as snail fever, Katayama fever, and bilharzia, is a disease caused by infection with freshwater parasitic flatworms called schistosomes. Liver fluke infection is caused by parasitic worms called liver flukes after eating contaminated raw or uncooked watercress or freshwater fish.
Praziquantel contains ‘Praziquantel’, which kills the parasites by paralysing the worms. This causes the worms to release their hold on the blood vessels. It also stops the parasite from absorbing sugars. The parasite then disintegrates with the help of white blood cells and passes out of the body. Thereby, Praziquantel helps treat schistosomiasis and liver fluke infections.
You are advised to take Praziquantel for as long as your doctor has prescribed it for you, depending on your medical condition. In some cases, you may experience side effects such as headache, dizziness, abdominal discomfort, nausea, and fever. Most of these side effects do not require medical attention and will resolve gradually over time. However, you are advised to talk to your doctor if you experience these side effects persistently.
Avoid driving or operating machinery on the day of treatment and the following day, as Praziquantel may cause dizziness. Consult your doctor if you are pregnant, planning for pregnancy, or think you are pregnant. Avoid breastfeeding whilst taking Praziquantel and during the subsequent 72 hours/3 days. Keep your doctor informed about your health condition and medications to rule out any interactions.
Uses of Praziquantel
Medicinal Benefits
Praziquantel belongs to the class of medicines called anthelmintics used to treat infections due to Schistosoma and liver fluke. Praziquantel kills the parasites by paralysing the worms. This causes the worms to release their hold on the blood vessels so they can be removed from the body. Thereby, Praziquantel helps treat schistosomiasis and liver fluke infections. Praziquantel may also be used to treat other worm infections, including tapeworm infection.
Directions for Use
Storage
Side Effects of Praziquantel
- Headache
- Dizziness
- Abdominal discomfort
- Nausea
- Fever
In-Depth Precautions and Warning
Drug Warnings
Do not take Praziquantel if you are allergic to any of its components, if you are taking rifampicin (a medicine used to treat tuberculosis), dexamethasone (corticosteroid), and antiepileptic medicines. Avoid taking Praziquantel if you have parasitic eye infections. Inform your doctor if you have heart problems, epilepsy, skin nodules, kidney or liver problems. Consult your doctor if you are pregnant, planning for pregnancy, or think you are pregnant. Avoid breastfeeding whilst taking Praziquantel and during the subsequent 72 hours/3 days. Safety of Praziquantel in children below 4 years has not been established; consult a doctor if you have any concerns. Avoid driving or operating machinery on the day of treatment and the following day, as Praziquantel may cause dizziness.
Drug Interactions
Drug-Drug Interactions: Praziquantel may interact with antibiotic (rifampicin, erythromycin), corticosteroid (dexamethasone), antacid (cimetidine), antimalarial (chloroquine), antifungal (ketoconazole, itraconazole), and antiepileptic medicines.
Drug-Food Interactions: Grapefruit may interact with Praziquantel leading to unwanted side effects. Therefore, avoid consumption of grapefruit or grapefruit juice while taking Praziquantel.
Drug-Disease Interactions: Inform your doctor if you have parasitic eye infections, seizures, arrhythmia, or liver impairment.
Drug-Drug Interactions Checker List:
Safety Advice
Alcohol
cautionAvoid alcohol consumption as it might cause increased dizziness.
Pregnancy
cautionPraziquantel belongs to pregnancy category B. Please consult your doctor if you have any concerns regarding this; your doctor will prescribe only if clearly needed.
Breast Feeding
unsafePraziquantel may pass into breastmilk. Avoid breastfeeding whilst taking Praziquantel and during the subsequent 72 hours/3 days.
Driving
unsafePraziquantel may cause dizziness. Avoid driving or operating machinery on the day of treatment and the following day.
Liver
cautionPlease consult your doctor if you have any concerns regarding the usage of Praziquantel in patients with liver impairment. Praziquantel should be used with caution in patients with moderate to severe liver impairment.
Kidney
cautionPlease consult your doctor if you have any concerns regarding the usage of Praziquantel in patients with kidney impairment.
Children
cautionSafety of Praziquantel in children below 4years has not been established.
Habit Forming
Diet & Lifestyle Advise
- Always eat thoroughly cooked fish and meat.
- Avoid consuming contaminated food and water.
- Include iron-rich foods, such as leafy vegetables, legumes, and fortified foods.
- Avoid raw or uncooked meat.
- Drink boiled and purified water.
- Avoid consuming foods kept in open markets as they might be contaminated.
- Wash or reheat food that has been around for a long time.
- Always wash fruits and vegetables thoroughly with fresh water before consumption.
Patients Concern
Disease/Condition Glossary
Schistosomiasis: Schistosomiasis, also known as snail fever, Katayama fever, and bilharzia, is a disease caused by infection with freshwater parasitic flatworms called schistosomes. The parasites in the contaminated water penetrate human skin to enter into the bloodstream and migrate to various organs leading to infections. Symptoms include diarrhoea, bloody stools, blood in the urine, abdominal pain, joint pain, muscle pain, headache, cough, chills, fever, itchy skin, and rash.
Liver fluke infection: This infection is caused by parasitic worms called liver flukes after eating contaminated raw or uncooked watercress or freshwater fish. After ingestion, the liver flukes travel from the intestine to the bile ducts in the liver, where they live and grow. Symptoms include fever, nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, abdominal pain, weakness, loss of appetite, and hives.
FAQs
Praziquantel kills the parasites by paralysing the worms. This causes the worms to release their hold on the blood vessels so that they can be removed from the body. Thereby, Praziquantel helps treat schistosomiasis and liver fluke infections.
To treat your infection effectually, continue taking Praziquantel for as long as it has been prescribed by the doctor. Do not be reluctant to speak with the doctor if you experience any difficulty while taking Praziquantel.
Concomitant administration of Praziquantel with rifampin is not recommended as therapeutically effective blood levels of Praziquantel may not be achieved when taken together. Consult your doctor if you are taking rifampin; your doctor may prescribe alternate medicine. However, if treatment with Praziquantel is necessary, rifampin should be discontinued 4 weeks before starting Praziquantel. Rifampin can be restarted one day after the completion of treatment with Praziquantel.
Praziquantel is unlikely to cause diarrhoea. Eat non-spicy food and drink plenty of fluids if you experience diarrhoea. If you notice bloody diarrhoea, consult your doctor immediately.
Avoid taking Praziquantel if you have parasitic eye infections, as killing the parasite might cause blindness. Talk to your doctor if you have any concerns regarding this.
