VCA Animal Hospitals

What is praziquantel?

Praziquantel (brand names: Droncit®, Drontal®, Biltricide®, Bio-Cest®, Cercon®, Cesol®, Cestox®, Cisticid®, ComboCare®, Cysticide®, Ehliten®, Equimax®, Extiser Q®, Mycotricide®, Opticide®, Quest Plus®, Praquantel®, Prasikon®, Prazite®, Prozitel®, Sincerck®, Teniken®, Virbantel®, Waycital®, or Zifartel®, and Zimecterin Gold Paste ®) is an antiparasitic dewormer used to treat a variety of parasite infections, most commonly tapeworms. Praziquantel is also commonly used in combination with other antiparasitic medications.

Its use in cats, dogs, small mammals, birds, reptiles, and large animals to treat certain parasites is ‘off label’ or ‘extra label’. Many drugs are commonly prescribed for off label use in veterinary medicine. In these instances, follow your veterinarian’s directions and cautions very carefully as their direction may be significantly different from those on the label.

How is praziquantel given?

Praziquantel is given by mouth in the form of a tablet. It can be given with or without food, but your pet should not be fasted when giving this medication. The tablet can be crushed and mixed with food, but you must ensure that your pet swallows the entire dose. If your pet vomits shortly after dosing, call your veterinarian for instructions. It can also be given by injection in the hospital or clinic setting.

This medication should take effect within 1 to 2 hours; however, effects may not be noted outwardly and therefore laboratory tests may need to be done to evaluate this medication’s effectiveness.

What if I miss giving my pet the medication?

Give the missed dose as soon as you remember, and then wait the recommended amount of time between doses. Never give your pet two doses at once or give extra doses.

Are there any potential side effects?

Side effects are uncommon with the tablets but may include lack of appetite, vomiting, diarrhea, or tiredness in dogs. In cats, side effects are very rare, but may include drooling or diarrhea. Side effects after the injection include pain at the injection site, vomiting, diarrhea, sleepiness, drooling, decreased appetite, or staggering while walking.

This moderate-acting medication should stop working in a few days, although effects can be longer in pets with liver or kidney disease.

Are there any risk factors for this medication?

Praziquantel should not be used in pets that are allergic to it, in puppies less than 3 weeks old, or kittens less than 6 weeks old. Its use in pregnant pets is likely safe when using products containing only praziquantel, but caution should be taken in lactating pets. If praziquantel is given, the mother should not nurse for four days following the dose.

Are there any drug interactions I should be aware of?

The following medications should be used with caution when given with praziquantel: albendazole, cimetidine, CYP3A4 inducers, ketoconazole, itraconazole, or oxamniquine.

Be sure to tell your veterinarian about any medications (including vitamins, supplements, or herbal therapies) that your pet is taking.

Is there any monitoring that needs to be done with this medication?

There is no specific monitoring that needs to be done while your pet is taking this medication. Your veterinarian may monitor your pet to be sure that the medication is working by performing fecal examinations. Dead worms are frequently digested and therefore will not always be visual in the feces.

How do I store praziquantel?

Store tablets at room temperature, protected from light, in a tight container.

What should I do in case of emergency?

If you suspect an overdose or an adverse reaction to the medication, call your veterinary office immediately. If they are not available, follow their directions in contacting an emergency facility.

Praziquantel 100 mg

Veterinary Use

Praziquantel Richmond.

Broad spectrum internal antiparasitic for dogs and cats

Indications

Praziquantel Richmond is a broad spectrum internal antiparasitic, indicated for the control of gastrointestinal parasitosis in dogs and cats, caused by cestodes.

Cestodes: Taenia pisiformis, T. hydatigena, T. taeniaformis, Dipylidium caninum, Mesocestoides corti, Echinococcus granulosus, E. multiocularis and Joyeuxiella pasqualei.

Dosage

Dogs: 1 tablet every 20 kg of weight per day orally.

Cats: A quarter of a tablet every 5 kg of weight per day orally.

Equivalent to: Praziquantel 5 mg/kg/day.

Administer the total calculated dose of the product in a single dose. Repeat the treatment after 15 days.

A systematic / preventive deworming plan can also be implemented every 60-90 days.

The interval between doses may be modified by the Veterinarian according to the particular case.

Praziquantel Richmond can be used in pregnant females from the 40th day of pregnancy, in puppies from 30 days of age and in kittens from 6 weeks.

Pharmacokinetics and Bioavailability

Praziquantel:

Praziquantel is, chemically, an isioquinoline. It exhibits high efficacy against cestode parasites at a relatively low dosage.

It is rapidly and almost completely absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract after oral administration. In dogs, maximum levels are reached after 30 or 120 minutes. The drug is distributed through all organs and passes to bile in dogs. This distribution is an advantage in the activity of praziquantel against adult or larval forms of cestodes that are located in a very variable way in the host organism (musculature, brain, peritoneal cavity, bile ducts, intestine). It is rapidly metabolized to inactive forms, being the liver the main place of inactivation. Only very low amounts (traces) of the non-metabolized dose are excreted in urine and feces (0.3 % in the dog). It is believed that there must be metabolites that are biologically active in what is excreted given the high efficacy of this drug against intestinal cestodes.

Praziquantel exerts its antiparasitic effect in many ways, affecting both the motility and the proper functioning of the cestode sucking organs (flat worms); induces paralysis of the parasite. Therefore; it joins various anthelmintics that act primarily affecting neuromuscular coordination. The compound also affects the phospholipids and proteins that make up the parasite tegument, which can result in excessive loss of calcium and glucose.

Contraindications and Use Limitations

Anorexy, vomiting, lethargy and diarrhea can occur in dogs.

In cats, adverse effects (salivation, vomiting and diarrhea) are very rare, less than 2%.

Hypersensitive reactions secondary to the release of antigens can occur due to the death of parasites. This happens particularly when the product is administered in high doses.

Because fleas and lice act as intermediate hosts of internal parasites, the measure indicated to ensure the effectiveness of treatment with praziquantel is the application of pulguicides and licecides on the animal and the environment, to interrupt the cycle of life of parasites.

Precautions

Do not administer in weakened animals, or in situations of intense stress.

Verify that the product inviolability system and its storage conditions prior its use are adequate, as well as that it has not expired in reference to the expiration date expressed on the label.

Verify that the product is administered exclusively orally. Do not exceed the propose dose.

Store below 25 ºC, protected from light, in a hygienic place

Always consult your veterinarian

Keep out of reach of children

UNDER VETERINARY PRESCRIPTION ONLY

Protect the environment

Certificate Nº: 02-209

Manufacture by:

LABORATORIOS RICHMOND DIVISION VETERINARIA S.A.

Facility Nº 8589

Fragata Heroína 4988 | C1615ICH | Buenos Aires | Argentina

H.T: Dr. Juan D. Onainty. Méd Vet MN 6167

Made in Argentina

Praziquantel Richmond. Blister containing slotted tablets of 450 mg each.