What is Praziquantel (Generic Biltricide)?
Praziquantel is in a class of medications called anthelmintics.
Praziquantel is used to treat infections of certain parasites such as Schistosoma and liver flukes. Curing parasitic infections helps to improve your health and quality of life.
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.
Recommendations for use of Praziquantel (Generic Biltricide)
Praziquantel is used to treat schistosoma which is an infection with a type of worm that lives in the bloodstream and also used for treatment of liver fluke which is an infection with a type of worm that lives in or near the liver. It works by killing the worms.
Praziquantel is also sometimes used to treat certain other worm infestations, including tapeworm (a type of worm that may attach to the wall of the intestine or may move to different parts of the body). Talk to your doctor about the risks of using praziquantel to treat your condition.
This medication may be prescribed for other uses; ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.
Dosage and direction of taking Praziquantel (Generic Biltricide)
Read the Medication Guide and the Patient Information Leaflet provided by your pharmacist before you start using Praziquantel and each time you get a refill. If you have any questions, consult your doctor or pharmacist.
Take this medication as prescribed by the doctor by mouth with food usually 3 times a day (4 to 6 hours apart) usually for 1 day.
Swallow quickly the tablet or tablet segments with a glass of water (8 ounces or 240 milliliters). Do not suck or chew the tablets as it cause gagging or vomiting due to the bitter taste of the tablet.
Your doctor may prescribe Praziquantel fewer than 3 times a day or longer than 1 day. Your doctor's instructions must be followed strictly.
Your doctor will work out the dosage for you based on your age, medical condition and response to treatment. If you need to break the tablet use the score line to break them.
While using Praziquantel avoid drinking grapefruit juice and eating grapefruit unless your doctor instructs you to do so safely. The risk of side effects may be increased by grapefruit.
Get more details from your doctor or pharmacist. If your condition doesn't improve inform your doctor.
Missed Dose of Praziquantel (Generic Biltricide)
Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. Skip the missed dose if it is almost time to take your next dose. Do not take an dose of medicine to make up the missed dose.
Overdose of Praziquantel (Generic Biltricide)
If you think you have taken more than the required dose contact a poison control center or emergency room at once. NOTE: This medicine is only for you. Do not share this medicine with others.
How does Praziquantel (Generic Biltricide) work?
Praziquantel works by causing severe spasms and paralysis of the worms' muscles. Some kinds of worms are then passed in the stool. However, you may not notice them since they are sometimes completely destroyed in the bowels.
Precautions before taking Praziquantel (Generic Biltricide)
You should not take Praziquantel if you are allergic to Praziquantel or to similar medicines.
To make sure it is safe for you, before taking this medicine, let your doctor know if you have or have had heart failure, heart problems, stroke, or thyroid problems.
Prior to taking Praziquantel inform your doctor if you have
any allergies to Praziquantel or any other allergies
liver disease / enlarged spleen
parasitic brain infection (cerebral cysticercosis)
heart disease / irregular heart rhythm
seizures
Do not use Praziquantel if you have parasitic eye infection (ocular cysticercosis).
Praziquantel may make you dizzy or drowsy. Consumption of alcohol or marijuana can make you more dizzy or drowsy. Do not operate machinery, drive a car or do anything that require alertness until you can do it safely.
Understand how this medication affects you. Do not take any alcoholic beverages. If you are using marijuana (cannabis) talk to your doctor.
Inform your doctor if you are pregnant. Praziquantel should be used only when it is absolutely necessary.
Consult your doctor before breast feeding as it passes into breast milk. While using Praziquantel breast feeding is not recommended. Breast feeding should be stopped temporarily on the day of the treatment and for 72hours after taking the last dose. During this time you should pump and discard breast milk.
About other prescription and nonprescription medicines, vitamins, nutritional supplements, and herbal products you are taking or plan to take. Taking Praziquantel together with certain medicines or products may cause serious, life-threatening side effects.
Side Effects of Praziquantel (Generic Biltricide)
Your doctor prescribed Praziquantel after carefully analyzing the benefits over the risks involved. Most people do not experience any serious side effects. However, you may experience the following side effects.
vomiting
nausea
stomach pain
dizziness
headache
tiredness
weakness
loss of appetite
sweating
joint/muscle pain
Inform your doctor immediately if you have any of these rare but serious side effects
seizures
fever
irregular / slow heart beat
bloody diarrhea
A very serious allergic reaction is extremely rare with Praziquantel. In case you show any of the following symptoms get to the emergency clinic
itching
trouble breathing
swelling in the face, throat, tongue, throat
rash - itching
severe dizziness
The above list includes very serious side effects. You may need urgent medical attention or hospitalisation. These side effects are very rare. Tell your pharmacist or doctor if you notice anything that is making you feel unwell.
Other side effects not listed above may occur in some patients. Do not be alarmed by the lists of possible side effects. You may not experience any of them. Ask your pharmacist or doctor if you have any questions.
Interaction with Praziquantel (Generic Biltricide)
Inform your doctor about any medications that you are taking including prescription medications, over the counter medications, vitamins, supplements and herbal remedies. Do not start, stop and change the dosage of any medicine without your doctor's permission.
Praziquantel may impair your thinking or reactions. Be careful if you drive or do anything that requires you to be alert.
Grapefruit and grapefruit juice may interact with praziquantel and lead to potentially dangerous effects. Discuss the use of grapefruit products with your doctor.
Also tell your doctor if you are using any of the following medicines:
itraconazole or ketoconazole
rifabutin or rifapentine
azole antifungals (eg: itraconazole, ketoconazole)
cimetidine
St. John's wort
chloroquine
dexamethasone
rifamycins (eg: rifampin)
macrolide antibiotics (eg: erythromycin)
seizure medications (eg: phenytoin, carbamazepine, primidone, phenobarbital)
amobarbital, butabarbital, mephobarbital, secobarbital, or phenobarbital
HIV medication such as efavirenz, etravirine, nevirapine, or ritonavir
medicines to treat narcolepsy, such as armodafinil or modafinil
This list is not complete and there are many other medicines that can interact with Praziquantel. Tell your doctor about all your prescription and over-the-counter medications, vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors. Do not start a new medication without telling your doctor. Keep a list with you of all the medicines you use and show this list to any doctor or other healthcare provider who treats you.
Storage of Praziquantel (Generic Biltricide)
Keep this medicine out of the sight and reach of children.
Store at 15°C - 30°C (59°F - 77°F); protect drug from excessive light, humidity, and temperature over 30°C (86°F)
Keep Praziquantel tablets in the container that they came in and keep the container tightly closed.
Throw away capsules that are no longer needed or expired (out of date).
Medicines should not be disposed of via waste water or household waste. Ask your pharmacist how to dispose of medicines no longer required. This will help to protect the environment.
Praziquantel should not be used after the given expiration date.
Scientific Information about Praziquantel or Diethylcarbamazine
Formula: Praziquantel | C19H24N2O2
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