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praziquantel
Used for Parasitic Infection
Used for Parasitic Infection
Praziquantel (Biltricide) is an anthelmintic medication for people ages 1 year and older. It treats certain infections caused by flukes. These parasitic worms are typically found in unclean drinking water or raw, infected freshwater fish. The medication is a tablet that's taken by mouth, usually 3 times for 1 day only. But dosing can differ depending on your prescriber's instructions. Praziquantel (Biltricide) for humans is safe to take and is prescription only. Some side effects include feeling tired, headache, dizziness, and stomach discomfort.
What is Praziquantel (Biltricide)?
What is Praziquantel (Biltricide) used for?
- Treatment of blood fluke infections (schistosomiasis) in people ages 1 year and older
- Treatment of liver fluke infections (clonorchiasis or opisthorchiasis) in people ages 1 year and older
How Praziquantel (Biltricide) works
Praziquantel (Biltricide) is an anthelmintic medication. It gets rid of certain parasitic flatworms called flukes in the body. These parasitic worms can infect the liver or the blood vessels in the stomach and urinary system.
We don't exactly know how the medication works. But it’s thought to work by causing severe muscle spasms in the parasitic flatworm. This paralyzes the worm and kills it.
When does Praziquantel (Biltricide) start working?Time passed since treatment started:
Drug facts
| Common Brands | Biltricide |
|---|---|
| Drug Class | Antiparasitic agent |
| Controlled Substance Classification | Not a controlled medication |
| Generic Status | Lower-cost generic available |
| Availability | Prescription only |
Side effects of Praziquantel (Biltricide)
The following side effects may get better over time as your body gets used to the medication. Let your healthcare provider know immediately if you continue to experience these symptoms or if they worsen over time.
Common Side Effects
- Feeling tired
- Headache
- Dizziness
- Stomach discomfort
- Nausea
- Itchiness
- Drowsiness
- Fever
Less Common Side Effects
- Vertigo (feeling like your surroundings are spinning)
- Ringing in the ear
- Changes in vision
- Vomiting
- Loss of appetite
- Muscle pain
- Shortness of breath
- Wheezing
- Itching
- Rash
Praziquantel (Biltricide) serious side effects
Contact your healthcare provider immediately if you experience any of the following.
- Irregular heart rhythm: heart flutter, slow or fast heartbeat, extra beats, lightheadedness, dizziness, trouble breathing, chest pain
- Seizures
- Brain or nervous system problems: severe headaches, confusion, not paying attention to people and your surroundings, fainting, personality changes
When do Praziquantel (Biltricide) possible side effects begin and end?
Time passed since treatment started:
H
D
W
M
Feeling tired
Stomach pain
Nausea
Diarrhea
Itching
The following Praziquantel (Biltricide) side effects have also been reported
Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.
Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur:
Incidence not known
Black, tarry stools
blistering, peeling, or loosening of the skin
bloody diarrhea
blurred or loss of vision
chest pain or discomfort
chills
dark urine
difficulty swallowing
difficulty with moving
disturbed color perception
dizziness
double vision
fainting
fast, slow, or irregular heartbeat
general feeling of discomfort or illness
general tiredness and weakness
halos around lights
joint pain, stiffness, or swelling
light-colored stools
lightheadedness, dizziness, or fainting
muscle pains, cramps, or stiffness
night blindness
overbright appearance of lights
painful or difficult urination
puffiness or swelling of the eyelids or around the eyes, face, lips, or tongue
red skin lesions, often with a purple center
red, irritated eyes
redness of the skin
severe abdominal or stomach pain
seizures
sleepiness or unusual drowsiness
sores, ulcers, or white spots on the lips or in the mouth
stomach discomfort with or without nausea
stomach pain
sweating
swelling of the eyelids, face, lips, hands, or feet
swollen glands
thickening of bronchial secretions
tightness in the chest
troubled breathing
tunnel vision
unusual bleeding or bruising
unusual tiredness or weakness
upper right abdominal pain
vomiting
yellow eyes and skin
Some side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects. Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:
Incidence not known
Change in walking and balance
clumsiness or unsteadiness
continuing ringing or buzzing or other unexplained noise in the ears
dizziness or lightheadedness
feeling of constant movement of self or surroundings
headache
hearing loss
lack or loss of strength
loss of appetite
sensation of spinning
Other side effects not listed may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your healthcare professional.
Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
Get your GoodRx coupon
$336.10
GoodRx discount
$132.74
Pros and cons of Praziquantel (Biltricide)
Pros
- Works well to treat most types of blood flukes in people
- The only FDA-approved medication for treating liver flukes in people
- Option to crush tablets and mix with soft food or liquid
Cons
- Tablets taste bitter and could make you gag or vomit
- Higher risk of side effects in people with liver problems
- Interacts with many medications and grapefruit juice
Pharmacist tips for Praziquantel (Biltricide)
- Take praziquantel (Biltricide) each time with a meal.
- Take praziquantel (Biltricide) with plenty of water so you can swallow it quickly. Don't chew the tablet or keep it in your mouth for very long. The tablet tastes bitter and can make some people gag or vomit.
- The praziquantel (Biltricide) tablet has score lines (grooves) to help you split it if needed. You can break it at the grooves by pressing down or using a pill splitter. Ask your prescriber or pharmacist if you need to split the tablet or if you're not sure how to get the dose you need.
- If you have trouble swallowing the praziquantel (Biltricide) tablet, you can crush it and mix it with semi-solid food or liquid. This can also be helpful for children under 6 so they don't choke. Be sure to take all of the mixture within 1 hour after mixing.
- Tell your care team about all the medications you take. Some, especially rifampin, efavirenz, and certain seizure medications, can make praziquantel (Biltricide) work less well. Your care team can adjust your treatment plan or choose a different medication if needed. Follow their instructions to stay safe and help your medications work the best they can.
- Praziquantel (Biltricide) can sometimes cause sleepiness or dizziness. It might also cause changes in your vision. Don't drive or use dangerous machines on the day you take it and the next day.
- Avoid drinking grapefruit juice while taking praziquantel (Biltricide). Grapefruit can raise the amount of medication in your body. This can make side effects more likely.
- Let your prescriber know if you have a faster or slower heartbeat, skipped beats, dizziness, or chest pain while taking praziquantel (Biltricide). They can check your heart for problems. Some people have had heart rhythm problems during treatment.
- If you're getting treated for a blood fluke infection, get medical help right away if your symptoms get worse. This can include a rash, fever, headache, muscle or stomach pain, trouble breathing, diarrhea, or blood in your stool. Praziquantel (Biltricide) might not work well to stop the infection from getting worse in the early stage.
- If you're breastfeeding: Talk to your prescriber about the risks and benefits. A small amount of praziquantel (Biltricide) can pass into breast milk. It's not expected to cause harm to your baby, but it's also not completely known. Talk to your prescriber or a lactation expert about safe ways to feed your baby during treatment.
Risks and warnings for Praziquantel (Biltricide)
Praziquantel (Biltricide) can cause some serious health issues. This risk may be even higher for certain groups. If this worries you, talk to your doctor or pharmacist about other options.
Suddenly feeling very sick in people with blood fluke infection (schistosomiasis)
- Risk factors: New blood fluke infection
Very rarely, some people taking praziquantel (Biltricide) for a blood fluke infection can suddenly feel worse. Your body can have a sudden and strong immune response that can make you feel very sick. This risk might be higher if you take the medication to treat your very first blood fluke infection (acute schistosomiasis). If not treated, it can be life-threatening.
Get medical help right away if you have a sudden or worse rash, fever, headache, muscle pain, stomach upset, or trouble breathing.
Brain and nervous system problems
- Risk factors: History of seizures
Parasites, like flukes or tapeworms, can sometimes cause problems to your brain or nervous system. This can lead to seizures, confusion, headaches, or personality changes. Taking praziquantel (Biltricide) might make these symptoms get worse.
Before starting praziquantel (Biltricide), tell your prescriber if you have a history of seizures or any of these symptoms. They can decide if this medication is right for you.
Higher likelihood of side effects in people with liver problems
- Risk factors: Blood fluke infection | Moderate or severe liver problems
If you have liver problems, you might be more likely to have side effects from praziquantel (Biltricide). This is because the medication gets broken down by your liver. When your liver doesn't work as well, praziquantel (Biltricide) stays in your body longer and can build up. This can raise your risk of side effects.
Tell your prescriber right away if you have any side effects that bother you or don’t go away. This can include feeling tired, weak, or dizzy or having headaches or stomach discomfort.
Heart rhythm problems
- Risk factors: History of irregular heartbeat (arrhythmia)
Some people who took praziquantel (Biltricide) have had heart rhythm problems. This included a slow or fast heart rate, skipped beats, or extra beats.
If you have a history of irregular heart rhythm, let your prescriber know. Also tell your care team if you feel an unusual heartbeat, lightheaded, dizzy, or chest pain while taking praziquantel (Biltricide). These can be signs of an irregular heartbeat.
Drug interactions
Praziquantel (Biltricide) can interact with many medications, which can be harmful. Don't take it with rifampin, carbamazepine (Tegretol), or phenytoin (Dilantin). These can make praziquantel (Biltricide) work less well. There are other medications that have a similar effect. You might still be able to take them with praziquantel (Biltricide), but with extra care.
Other drug interactions can raise the levels of praziquantel (Biltricide) in the body. This can possibly put you at higher risk of side effects. This effect can happen with grapefruit juice, diltiazem (Cardizem), and some antifungals.
Before starting praziquantel (Biltricide), tell your care team about all the medications you take and plan to take. They can make sure it's safe. If there's a serious interaction, your prescriber might have you stop your other medication for a short time before praziquantel (Biltricide), then restart a day after treatment ends. Or, they might choose a different way to treat your worm infection.
Praziquantel (Biltricide) dosage
The average cost for 1 dose pack of 6 tablets of 600mg of Praziquantel (Biltricide) is $132.74 with a free GoodRx coupon. This is 60.51% off the average retail price of $336.10. 
Dose pack
Dose pack| Dosage | Quantity | Price as low as | Price per unit |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6 tablets of 600mg | 1 dose pack | $132.74 | $132.74 |
Typical dosage for Praziquantel (Biltricide)
Your prescriber will find the dose for you based on your body weight.
- Blood fluke infections: The typical dose is 20 mg/kg by mouth three times a day, 4 to 6 hours apart. Take the medication for 1 day only.
- Liver fluke infections: The typical dose is 25 mg/kg by mouth three times a day, 4 to 6 hours apart. Take the medication for 1 day only.
Note: Your dose might be different based on CDC recommendations for treating blood flukes and liver flukes. Be sure to follow your prescriber's instructions.
Interactions between Praziquantel (Biltricide) and other drugs
Praziquantel (Biltricide) may interact with certain medications or supplements. Always let your doctor and pharmacist know about any other medications or supplements (including prescribed and over-the-counter medications, vitamins, and dietary or herbal supplements) that you are currently taking. The list below does not include all possible drug interactions with Praziquantel (Biltricide). Please note that only the generic name of each medication is listed below.
Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. When you are taking this medicine, it is especially important that your healthcare professional know if you are taking any of the medicines listed below. The following interactions have been selected on the basis of their potential significance and are not necessarily all-inclusive.
Using this medicine with any of the following medicines is not recommended. Your doctor may decide not to treat you with this medication or change some of the other medicines you take.
Using this medicine with any of the following medicines may cause an increased risk of certain side effects, but using both drugs may be the best treatment for you. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.
- Chloroquine
- Ketoconazole
How much does Praziquantel (Biltricide) cost?
To access savings, use a GoodRx coupon and pay just a fraction of the retail price.
Praziquantel (Biltricide) contraindications
Contraindications are specific health conditions or situations in which a person should not take a medication due to safety concerns. If you have any of the following conditions or if any of the following apply to you, let your healthcare provider know because Praziquantel (Biltricide) will not be safe for you to take.
- Fluke infection in the eye
- Take rifampin or certain anti-seizure medications
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