(available salt forms: adipate and citrate)

Brand

Pipa-Tabs/Vet-A-Mix (dihydrochloride), OTC. *Note: use only as directed by veterinarian.

Availability

• Tablets: 50 mg, 250 mg base

Pharmacology

An anthelmintic, piperazine 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.

Piperazine is readily absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract, metabolized in the kidneys, and excreted unchanged in the urine.

The drug is 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 mg/mL to 5 mg/mL drinking water for 7 days, then off for 7 days, then on for 7 days. ^{2, 26, 41, 42, 44}

or

In adipate form: 4 mg/mL to 7 mg/mL drinking water for 3 to 10 days. ^{26, 34, 43, 41}

or

In adipate form: 200 mg/kg, PO, q24hr for 7 days on, then 7 days off, then 7 days on. ^1, 26, 34 (pinworms)

Considerations

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