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Brand

Droncit

Availability

Tablets: 23 mg and 34 mg
Injectable: 56.8 mg/mL in 10mL vial

Pharmacology

Praziquantel is a synthetic, heterocyclic anthelmintic agent, that is a derivative of pyrazinoisoquinoline. It has broad-spectrum action against cestodes that stimulate the worm’s motility, and impairs the sucker function which allows for passive dislodgement. It, also, has a direct kill effect on schistosomes and trematodes.

The drug is rapidly absorbed after oral administration. It is distributed throughout the body crossing the blood brain barrier into the central nervous system and across the intestinal wall. It is metabolized in the liver and excreted in urine.

Indications

Used for treatment of tapeworms, flukes, schistosomes and trematodes.

Drug Interactions or Contraindications:

Possible antagonism with Piperazine salts.

Adverse Reactions

CNS:  lethargy

GI:   diarrhea, anorexia

Skin:  itching

Dosage Recommendations

5 mg/lb SQ once and repeat in 10 days ^{4  3}

or

6 mg/kg to 10 mg/kg PO (oral) ¹

or

30 mg/kg q14 days x 3 treatments; PO (oral) ¹

Considerations

• When giving PO (oral) give with food as tablets are bitter.

Posted on June 23, 2003, 15:59, Last updated on May 24, 2013, 08:38 | Anti-Infectives