Praziquantel is used to treat liver fluke and schistosoma, a type of worm infection that dwells in the bloodstream (infection with a type of worm that lives in or near the liver). The drug praziquantel belongs to the group of drugs known as anthelmintics. It eliminates the worms to work.

A tablet form of praziquantel is available to be swallowed together with water and food. Three dosages spaced four to six hours apart are typically administered over the course of one day. Ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any instructions on your prescription label that you are unsure about following. Praziquantel should only be used as prescribed. Never take it in larger or less amounts or more frequently than directed by your doctor.

Praziquantel tablets are easily splittable because of their three notch markings. Use your fingernail to press down on the appropriate notch and separate the number of parts needed for your dose if your doctor has instructed you to only take a portion of a tablet.

As soon as you put the tablets or tablet components in your mouth, swallow them completely. Do not hold them in your mouth, chew them, or smash them. If you keep the tablets in your tongue before swallowing them, the bitter flavour may make you throw up or gag.

Additionally, praziquantel is occasionally employed to treat a few different worm infestations, such as tapeworm (a type of worm that may attach to the wall of the intestine or may move to different parts of the body). Discuss the dangers of using praziquantel to treat your disease with your doctor.

Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more details if you believe this drug should be used for something else.

Before taking praziquantel,

• If you have an allergy to praziquantel, any other drugs, or any of the ingredients in praziquantel tablets, tell your doctor and pharmacist right away. Request a list of the components from your pharmacist.
• If you are taking rifampin, let your doctor know (Rifadin, Rimactane, in Rifamate, in Rifater). If you are currently on this medicine, your doctor probably won’t advise you to use praziquantel. Four weeks prior to starting praziquantel therapy, your doctor will likely instruct you to cease taking rifampin, and one day after praziquantel therapy is complete, they will instruct you to resume rifampin use.
• Inform your doctor and pharmacist about any additional prescription and over-the-counter drugs, vitamins, dietary supplements, and herbal products you are now taking or intend to use. Incorporate any of the following: erythromycin (E.E.S., E-Mycin, Erythrocin), itraconazole (Sporanox), ketoconazole (Nizoral), chloroquine (Aralen), cimetidine (Tagamet), dexamethasone (Decadron, Dexpak), phenytoin (Dilantin), phenobarbital, and carbamazepine are some drugs for seizures (Equetro, Tegretol). Your physician might need to adjust the dosage of your drugs or keep a close eye on you for side effects. Praziquantel may interact with a wide range of other drugs, so be careful to inform your doctor about all the drugs you are taking, even those not on this list.
• If you have ocular cysticercosis, let your doctor know (infestation with a type of tapeworm that forms cysts in the eyes). Praziquantel shouldn’t be taken, your doctor will probably advise you.
• If you have or have ever experienced seizures, cysticercosis nodules (bumps) beneath your skin, kidney, liver, or heart issues, be sure to let your doctor know.
• If you are pregnant or want to become pregnant, let your doctor know. Call your doctor if you become pregnant while taking praziquantel.
• On the day you take Praziquantel and for 72 hours (3 days) after taking Praziquantel, avoid breastfeeding.
• Praziquantel could make you sleepy, so you should be aware of it. The day of and the day after taking praziquantel should not be used for operating machinery or a motor vehicle.

Consult your doctor before consuming grapefruits or grapefruit juice while taking this medication.

Find out from your doctor what to do if you forget to take your Praziquantel.

Praziquantel could have negative effects. If any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away, let your doctor know right once:

• Feeling unwell
• Headache
• Dizziness
• Abdominal pain
• Nausea
• Fever
• Itching

Some adverse effects can be very harmful. Call your doctor right away if you have any of the following symptoms:

• Hives

Other negative effects of praziquantel are possible. If you experience any strange issues while taking this medicine, contact your doctor right away.

You or your doctor can submit a report to the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting programme online or by phone if you have a serious side event (1-800-332-1088).

Keep this medication tightly closed in the original container and out of the reach of children. Store it away from excessive heat and moisture at room temperature (not in the bathroom).

Unused prescriptions must be disposed of carefully to prevent pets, kids, and other people from ingesting them. You should not, however, dispose of this medication in the toilet. Instead, utilising a medicine take-back programme is the easiest approach to get rid of your medication. To find out about take-back programmes in your area, speak with your pharmacist or the garbage/recycling department in your city. If you do not have access to a take-back programme, see the FDA’s Safe Disposal of Medicines website at http://goo.gl/c4Rm4p for additional information.

As many containers (such as weekly pill minders and those for eye drops, creams, patches, and inhalers) are not child-resistant and are simple for young children to open, it is crucial to keep all medications out of sight and out of reach of children. Always lock safety caps and promptly stash medication up and away from young children where it is out of their sight and reach to prevent poisoning. http://www.upandaway.org

Call the poison control hotline at 1-800-222-1222 in the event of an overdose. Additionally, information can be found online at https://www.poisonhelp.org/help. Call 911 right once if the person has collapsed, experienced a seizure, is having difficulty breathing, or cannot be roused.

Keep all of your doctor’s appointments.

No one else should take your medication. It’s likely that your prescription cannot be renewed. Call your doctor if, after taking the last of the praziquantel, you continue to experience signs of infection.

You should keep a written record of every medication you take, including any over-the-counter (OTC) items, prescription drugs, and dietary supplements like vitamins and minerals. This list should be brought with you whenever you see a doctor or are admitted to the hospital. You should always have this information with you in case of emergencies.