Details

Praziquantel is an anthelmintic or anti-worm medication. It prevents newly hatched insect larvae (worms) from growing or multiplying in your body. Praziquantel is used to treat infections caused by Schistosoma worms, which enter the body through skin that has come into contact with contaminated water. Schistosoma worms are found in Africa, South America, Middle Eastern countries, the Caribbean, and parts of Asia. Praziquantel is also used to treat infection with liver flukes, caused by a type of worm found in East Asia. This worm enters the body while eating contaminated fish. Before taking praziquantel, tell your doctor if you have kidney disease, heart disease, liver disease, or a history of seizures or epilepsy. Do not give this medication to a child younger than 4 years old.

Typical Uses

Praziquantel is used to treat infections of certain parasites (e.g., Schistosoma and liver flukes). Curing parasitic infections helps to improve your health and quality of life. Praziquantel belongs to a class of drugs known as antihelmintics. It works by killing the parasites. It also paralyzes the parasites, causing them to release their hold on the blood vessel walls so the body can remove them naturally. This drug may also be used to treat infections of other parasites (e.g., tapeworms, intestinal and lung flukes).

Side Effects

Praziquantel side effects may include tired feeling headache, dizziness nausea, upset stomach mild fever or mild skin rash.

Drug Interactions

• Praziquantel+rifampin- Using praziquantel together with rifampin is not recommended. Combining these medications may significantly decrease the blood levels of praziquantel and make it ineffective or less effective in treating your condition. Your doctor may be able to prescribe an alternative to praziquantel that you can take with rifampin, or you may need to discontinue rifampin for up to four weeks before you begin taking praziquantel.

Mechanism of action

Praziquantel belongs to a class of medication called anthelmintics (anti-worm). It affects the permeability of the cell membrane thereby killing the worms.

Pregnancy Category : B