Praziquantel

Praziquantel

Clinical data
Pronunciation	praz-i-KWAN-tel
Trade names	Biltricide
AHFS/Drugs.com	Monograph
MedlinePlus	a608048
Pregnancy category	AU: B1 US: B (No risk in non-human studies)
Routes of administration	Human use: by mouth (tablets)
ATC code	P02BA01 (WHO) QP52AA01 (WHO)
Legal status
Legal status	US: ℞-only (human use), OTC (veterinary use)
Pharmacokinetic data
Bioavailability	Relatively small
Metabolism	Liver
Biological half-life	0.8–1.5 hours (main metabolites: 4–5 hours)
Excretion	Urine (mainly)
Identifiers
IUPAC name (RS)-2-(Cyclohexylcarbonyl)-1,2,3,6,7,11b-hexahydro-4H-pyrazino[2,1-a]isoquinolin-4-one
CAS Number	55268-74-1 Y
PubChem CID	4891
DrugBank	DB01058 Y
ChemSpider	4722 Y
UNII	6490C9U457
KEGG	D00471 Y
ChEMBL	CHEMBL976 Y
ECHA InfoCard	100.054.126
Chemical and physical data
Formula	C19H24N2O2
Molar mass	312.411
3D model (Jmol)	Interactive image
Melting point	136 to 138 °C (277 to 280 °F)
SMILES O=C4N2C(c1c(cccc1)CC2)CN(C(=O)C3CCCCC3)C4
InChI InChI=1S/C19H24N2O2/c22-18-13-20(19(23)15-7-2-1-3-8-15)12-17-16-9-5-4-6-14(16)10-11-21(17)18/h4-6,9,15,17H,1-3,7-8,10-13H2 Y Key:FSVJFNAIGNNGKK-UHFFFAOYSA-N Y

Praziquantel, sold under the brandname Biltricide among others, is a medication used to treat a number of types of parasitic worm infections. Specifically it is used for schistosomiasis, clonorchiasis, opisthorchiasis, tapeworm infections, cysticercosis, hydatid disease, and other fluke infections. It should not be used for cysticercosis that involves the eye. It is taken by mouth.

Side effects may include poor coordination, abdominal pain, vomiting, headache, and allergic reactions. While it may be used during pregnancy, it is not recommended for use during breastfeeding. Praziquantel is in the anthelmintic class of medications. It works partly by affecting the function of the worm's sucker.

Praziquantel was approved for medical use in the United States in 1982. It is on the World Health Organization's List of Essential Medicines, the most effective and safe medicines needed in a health system. The wholesale cost in the developing world is about 0.4 to 18.15 USD per day. In the United States a typical course of treatment costs 100 to 200 USD.

Praziquantel is used to treat diseases caused by infection with several types of internal/gastrointestinal, and external parasites, including:

The majority of side effects develop due to the release of the contents of the parasites as they are killed and the consequent host immune reaction. The heavier the parasite burden, the heavier and more frequent the side effects normally are.

Animal studies have failed to reveal evidence of fetal harm. There are no controlled data in human pregnancy. Praziquantel should be used during pregnancy only if clearly needed; caution is recommended.

The antibiotic rifampicin decreases plasma concentrations of praziquantel.