Praziquantel Brands in Kenya
Biltricide®, Bayer East Africa Ltd.
Prazicide®, Lab and Allied
Praziquantel, Biodeal Laboratories Ltd
Prazitel®, Cosmos Limited
Rantel®, West Coast Pharmaceuticals
Mechanism of Action
Praziquantel induces a rapid contraction of schistosomes by a specific effect on the permeability of the cell membrane. The drug further causes vacuolization and disintegration of the schistosome tegument. However, the mechanism of action is unknown.
PRAZIQUANTEL INDICATIONS:
Praziquantel is indicated in patients aged 1 year and older for the treatment of the following infections:
- Schistosomiasis due to all species of schistosoma (for example, Schistosoma mekongi, Schistosoma japonicum, Schistosoma mansoni and Schistosoma hematobium), and
- Clonorchiasis and Opisthorchiasis due to the liver flukes, Clonorchis sinensis/Opisthorchis viverrini.
PRAZIQUANTEL DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION:
Recommended Dosage
Schistosomiasis
The recommended dosage for the treatment of schistosomiasis is 20 mg/kg body weight administered orally three times a day separated by 4 to 6 hours, for 1 day only.
Clonorchiasis and Opisthorchiasis
The recommended dosage for the treatment of clonorchiasis and opisthorchiasis is 25 mg/kg body weight administered orally three times a day separated by 4 to 6 hours for 1 day only.
Administration
Take tablets with water during meals. Do not chew or keep the tablets (or parts of tablets) in the mouth
PRAZIQUANTEL CONTRAINDICATIONS:
Praziquantel is contraindicated in:
Patients who previously have shown hypersensitivity to praziquantel or any of the excipients in praziquantel tablets.
Patients with ocular cysticercosis; since parasite destruction within the eye that occurs because of hypersensitivity reaction to the dead parasite after treatment may cause irreversible lesions, ocular cysticercosis must not be treated with praziquantel.
Patients taking strong Cytochrome P450 (CYP450) inducers, such as rifampin
PRAZIQUANTEL DRUG INTERACTIONS:
- Concomitant administration of rifampin, a strong CYP450 inducer, with praziquantel is contraindicated.
- Concomitant administration of other drugs that are CYP450 inducers, for example, antiepileptic drugs (phenytoin, phenobarbital and carbamazepine), and dexamethasone, may also reduce plasma concentrations of praziquantel.
- Concomitant administration of drugs that decrease the activity of drug metabolizing liver enzymes (CYP450 inhibitors), for example, cimetidine, ketoconazole, itraconazole, erythromycin may increase plasma concentrations of praziquantel. In addition, grapefruit juice was also reported to produce a 1.6-fold increase in the Cmax and a 1.9-fold increase in the AUC of praziquantel.
PRAZIQUANTEL ADVERSE DRUG REACTIONS:
General disorders and administration site conditions: malaise, pyrexia
Nervous system disorders: headache, dizziness
Gastrointestinal disorders: abdominal discomfort, nausea
Skin and subcutaneous tissue disorders: urticaria
Such adverse reactions may be more frequent and/or serious in patients with a heavy worm burden.
Additional adverse reactions reported from worldwide post marketing experience and from publications with praziquantel and various formulations of praziquantel include:
Blood and lymphatic system disorders: eosinophilia
Cardiac disorders: arrhythmia (including bradycardia, ectopic rhythms, ventricular fibrillation, AV blocks)
Ear and labyrinth disorders: vertigo, tinnitus
Eye disorders: visual disturbance
Gastrointestinal disorders: abdominal pain, bloody diarrhea, vomiting
General disorders and administration site conditions: polyserositis, asthenia, fatigue, gait disturbance
Hepatobiliary disorders: hepatitis
Immune system disorders: allergic reaction, generalized hypersensitivity, anaphylactic reaction
Metabolism and nutrition disorders: anorexia
Musculoskeletal and connective tissue disorders: myalgia
Nervous system disorders: convulsion, somnolence, intention tremor
Respiratory, thoracic and mediastinal disorders: pneumonitis, dyspnea, wheezing
Skin and subcutaneous tissue disorders: pruritus, rash, Stevens-Johnson syndrome
Reporting of suspected adverse reactions:
The PPB Department of Pharmacovigilance was set up with a vision to develop, implement and continuously upgrade an appropriate system for detecting, reporting, and monitoring adverse drug reactions (ADRs) and other relevant problems with medicines in Kenya. The department strives to ensure the safety and efficacy of pharmaceutical products in Kenya.
Reporting suspected adverse reactions after authorization of the medicinal product are important. It allows continued monitoring of the benefit/risk balance of the medicinal product. Healthcare professionals/ Patients are encouraged to report any suspected adverse reactions via Pharmacovigilance Yellow Form, pv@pharmacyboardkenya.org or clicking below button:
Where to Get Praziquantel in Kenya:
Praziquantel in Kenya is available in PPB Registered Pharmacies/ Chemists
Praziquantel in Kenya
Praziquantel in Kenya
Praziquantel in Kenya
Clinical | Pharmacokinetic data
Pregnancy Category:
Routes of Administration: Oral
Bioavailability: Relatively small
Protein Binding: Not Available
Metabolosim: Liver
Onset of Action:
Elimination Half life: 0.8–1.5 hours (main metabolites: 4–5 hours)
Excretion: Urine (mainly)
Legal Status | Dosage forms & Strengths
Prescription Category:
Prescription only Medicine (POM) , â„ž-only
Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (Control ) Act Schedule:
This drug is not a controlled substance under Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (Control ) Act
Dosage Forms | Strengths:
Tablets
Drug Indentifiers:
| CAS Number | |
|---|---|
| PubChem | |
| DrugBank | |
| ChemSpider |
|
| UNII | |
| KEGG | |
| ChEMBL | |
| CompTox Dashboard (EPA) | |
| ECHA InfoCard | |
Drug Images
References/ Citation:
- “Praziquantel”. The American Society of Health-System Pharmacists.
- Cioli, Donato, and Livia Pica-Mattoccia. “Praziquantel.” Parasitology research 90.1 (2003): S3-S9.
- Gönnert, R., and P. Andrews. “Praziquantel, a new broad-spectrum antischistosomal agent.” Zeitschrift für Parasitenkunde 52.2 (1977): 129-150.
- Doenhoff, Michael J., Donato Cioli, and Jürg Utzinger. “Praziquantel: mechanisms of action, resistance and new derivatives for schistosomiasis.” Current opinion in infectious diseases 21.6 (2008): 659-667.