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available salt forms: adipate and citrate

Brand

Pipa-Tabs/Vet-A-Mix (dihydrochloride), OTC

Availability

Tablets: 50 mg & 250 mg base

Pharmacology

An anthelmintic, it is mostly free of pharmacologic action in the host. It causes paralysis of the worms by blocking acetylcholine at the myoneural junction. Because of this action the worms are not able to maintain a position in the host and are expelled during peristalsis in the feces.

Readily absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract, metabolized in the kidneys, and excreted unchanged in the urine.

Considered to have a wide margin of safety and can be used in pregnant animals.

Indications

For use in the treatment of pinworms. Not useful for trichuriasis, or strongyloidiasis.

Drug Interactions or Contraindications

Caution when using piperazine and chlorpromazine together, may cause seizures.

Not recommended to use with pyrantel due to antagonistic modes of action.

Adverse Reactions

CNS:  lethargy

GI:  diarrhea, hypersalivation

Dosage Recommendations

In citrate form: 4-5 mg/mL drinking water for 7 days, then off for 7 days, then on for 7 days. ²

or

In adipate form: 4-7 mg/mL drinking water for 3- 10 days. ²

or

In adipate form: 200 mg/kg , PO , q24hrs for 7 days on, then 7 days off, then 7 days on. ¹

Considerations

• Store at room temperature.
• Do not use with laxatives as the drug may be eliminated before action is completed.

Posted on June 23, 2003, 15:57, Last updated on December 12, 2008, 15:35 | Anti-Infectives