Formulary
Praziquantel: Indications, Dosing, Side Effects and Interactions
Praziquantel clinical drug profile including indications, dosing, side effects, cautions and interactions.
MedNext Academy | 3 min read
Praziquantel: Indications, Dosing, Side Effects and Interactions
Praziquantel clinical drug profile including indications, dosing, side effects, cautions and interactions.
Indications and dose
**Tapeworm infections (Taenia solium)**
- **Adult** (By Mouth): Tapeworm infections ( Taenia solium ) 5-10 mg/kg for 1 dose, to be taken after a light breakfast.
**Tapeworm infections (Hymenolepis nana)**
- **Adult** (By Mouth): Tapeworm infections ( Hymenolepis nana ) 25 mg/kg for 1 dose, to be taken after a light breakfast.
**Schistosoma haematobiumworm infections,Schistosoma mansoniworm infections**
- **Adult** (By Mouth): Schistosoma haematobium worm infections, Schistosoma mansoni worm infections 20 mg/kg, followed by 20 mg/kg after 4-6 hours.
**Schistosoma japonicumworm infections**
- **Adult** (By Mouth): Schistosoma japonicum worm infections 20 mg/kg 3 times a day for 1 day.
**Tapeworm infections (Taenia solium) for praziquantel**
- **Child 4-17 years** (By mouth): 5-10 mg/kg for 1 dose, to be taken after a light breakfast.
**Tapeworm infections (Hymenolepis nana) for praziquantel**
- **Child 4-17 years** (By mouth): 25 mg/kg for 1 dose, to be taken after a light breakfast.
**Schistosoma haematobium worm infections, Schistosoma mansoni worm infections for praziquantel**
- **Child 4-17 years** (By mouth): 20 mg/kg, followed by 20 mg/kg after 4-6 hours.
**Schistosoma japonicum worm infections for praziquantel**
- **Child 4-17 years** (By mouth): 20 mg/kg 3 times a day for 1 day.
Interactions
**Severe interactions:**
- Concomitant use with efavirenz is not recommended due to significant decrease in plasma concentrations of praziquantel, with risk of treatment failure due to increased hepatic metabolism by efavirenz.
**Other interactions (7):**
- Praziquantil In a single-dose interaction study, chloroquine has been reported to reduce the bioavailability of praziquantel.
- It is not known if there is a similar effect when hydroxychloroquine and praziquantel are coadministered.
- Examples of drugs or drug classes affected by rifampicin: Antiarrhythmics (e.g.
- In case the combination is needed, an increased dose of praziquantel could be considered.
- Teniposide) Atorvastatin Carbamezepine Ciclosporin Disopyramide Efavirenz Erythromycin Fosamprenavir Indinavir Lopinavir/ritonavir Methadone Nelfinavir Neuromuscular blocking agents (pancuronium,...
- Concomitant use not recommended Risk of decreased plasma concentrations due to increased metabolism induced by primidone for: - Drugs affecting nervous system* (except anti-epileptics): mianserin,...
Medicinal forms
Tablet
Clinical governance
**Author:** MedNext Clinical Team. **Clinical reviewer:** Dr Shameer Deen, MBBS, MS, MRCS. **Sources:** BNF, Indian Pharmacopoeia, CIMS India. **Correction:** Report errors at support@mednext.academy.
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