Praquantel

Praquantel Uses, Dosage, Side Effects, Food Interaction and all others data.

An anthelmintic used in most schistosome and many cestode infestations.

Praquantel is an anthelmintic used in most schistosome and many cestode infestations. Praquantel effects the permeability of the cell membrane resulting in the contraction of schistosomes. The drug further causes vacuolization and disintegration of the schistosome tegument. The effect is more marked on adult worms compared to young worms. An increased calcium influx may play an important role. Secondary effects are inhibition of glucose uptake, lowering of glycogen levels and stimulation of lactate release. The action of praziquantel is limited very specifically to trematodes and cestodes; nematodes (including filariae) are not affected.

Trade Name Praquantel
Availability Prescription only
Generic Praziquantel
Praziquantel Other Names Praziquantel
Related Drugs albendazole, mebendazole, nitazoxanide, paromomycin, niclosamide, Albenza, Alinia, Biltricide, Humatin
Type
Formula C19H24N2O2
Weight Average: 312.4061
Monoisotopic: 312.183778022
Protein binding

80 to 85%

Groups Approved, Investigational, Vet approved
Therapeutic Class
Manufacturer
Available Country Thailand
Last Updated: September 19, 2023 at 7:00 am
Praquantel
Praquantel

Uses

Praquantel is an anthelmintic medication used to treat a number of parasitic worm infections such as schistosomiasis.

For the treatment of infections due to all species of schistosoma.

Praquantel is also used to associated treatment for these conditions: Cestode infections, Cysticercosis, Liver fluke infection, Trematode infections, Schistosoma infection

How Praquantel works

Praquantel works by causing severe spasms and paralysis of the worms' muscles. This paralysis is accompanied - and probably caused - by a rapid Ca 2+ influx inside the schistosome. Morphological alterations are another early effect of praziquantel. These morphological alterations are accompanied by an increased exposure of schistosome antigens at the parasite surface. The worms are then either completely destroyed in the intestine or passed in the stool. An interesting quirk of praziquantel is that it is relatively ineffective against juvenile schistosomes. While initially effective, effectiveness against schistosomes decreases until it reaches a minimum at 3-4 weeks. Effectiveness then increases again until it is once again fully effective at 6-7 weeks. Glutathione S-transferase (GST), an essential detoxification enzyme in parasitic helminths, is a major vaccine target and a drug target against schistosomiasis. Schistosome calcium ion channels are currently the only known target of praziquantel.

Food Interaction

  • Avoid grapefruit products.
  • Take with food.

[Moderate] ADJUST DOSING INTERVAL: Administration with food increases the oral bioavailability of praziquantel.

The mechanism has not been described.

In nine healthy volunteers, administration of praziquantel (1800 mg single oral dose) following a high-fat meal increased the mean praziquantel peak plasma concentration (Cmax) and area under the concentration-time curve (AUC) by 243% and 180%, respectively, compared to administration under fasting conditions.

Administration with a high-carbohydrate meal increased these values by 515% and 271%, respectively, compared to fasting.

Overall, the relative bioavailability was increased by a factor of 2.72 and 3.98 with the high-fat and high-carbohydrate meals, respectively.

The time to reach peak concentration (Tmax) and elimination half-life (T1<2) were not significantly altered.

Coadministration with grapefruit juice may increase the oral bioavailability of praziquantel.

The proposed mechanism is inhibition of CYP450 3A4-mediated first-pass metabolism in the gut wall induced by certain compounds present in grapefruit.

In 18 healthy volunteers, administration of praziquantel (1800 mg single oral dose) with 250 mL of commercially squeezed grapefruit juice resulted in increases in the mean praziquantel Cmax and AUC of 63% and 90%, respectively, compared to administration with water.

The Tmax and T1<2 were not significantly altered.

The pharmacokinetics of praziquantel were subject to a high degree of interpatient variability with and without grapefruit juice.

MANAGEMENT: To ensure maximal oral absorption, praziquantel should be administered with meals.

Administration with grapefruit juice may further increase pharmacologic effects of praziquantel, including adverse effects such dizziness, abdominal discomfort, and nausea.

Elimination Route

Rapidly absorbed (80%)

Half Life

0.8-1.5 hours (in serum)

Innovators Monograph

You find simplified version here Praquantel

*** Taking medicines without doctor's advice can cause long-term problems.
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