Praziquantel

Praziquantel is used to treat certain trematode and cestode infection and works by allowing calcium into the parasite, which results in paralysis.  Praziquantel treats paragonimiasis (lung fluke), clonorchiasis (liver fluke), schistosomiasis, and the tapeworms, cysticercosis (human feces), Taeniasis (undercooked beef and pork), and Diphyllobothriasis (undercooked fish).

Class Drugs

• Praziquantel

Class Mechanism of Action

Allows calcium into parasite causing paralysis

Class Applications

Trematode infections

• Paragonimiasis

Lung fluke

• Clonorchiasis

Liver fluke

• Schistosomiasis

New World (GI bleeding, liver damage, diarrhea)

• Old World (Urinary bladder, hematuria, fibrosis)

Cestode Infections (tapeworms)

• Cysticercosis (Human feces)

• Taeniasis (Undercooked beef) (Undercooked pork)

• Diphyllobothriasis (Undercooked fish)

Class Adverse Effects

• Do not use in ocular cysticercosis

Drug Table

Drug Name	Application	Comments	Image
Praziquantel			"President" "Quantum Leap"