Praziquantel

Praziquantel (PZQ), sold under the brandname Biltricide among others, is a medication used to treat a number of types of parasitic worm infections in mammals, birds, amphibians, reptiles, and fish. In humans specifically, it is used to treat schistosomiasis, clonorchiasis, opisthorchiasis, tapeworm infections, cysticercosis, echinococcosis, paragonimiasis, fasciolopsiasis, and fasciolosis. It should not be used for worm infections of the eye. It is taken by mouth.

Praziquantel
Clinical data
Pronunciation/ˌpræzɪˈkwɒntɛl/
Trade namesBiltricide
AHFS/Drugs.comMonograph
MedlinePlusa608048
License data
Pregnancy
category
  • AU: B1
Routes of
administration
Human use: by mouth (tablets)
ATC code
Legal status
Legal status
  • US: ℞-only (human use),
    OTC (veterinary use)
Pharmacokinetic data
BioavailabilityRelatively small
MetabolismLiver
Elimination half-life0.8–1.5 hours (main metabolites: 4–5 hours)
ExcretionUrine (mainly)
Identifiers
  • (RS)-2-(Cyclohexylcarbonyl)-1,2,3,6,7,11b-hexahydro-4H-pyrazino[2,1-a]isoquinolin-4-one
CAS Number
PubChem CID
DrugBank
ChemSpider
UNII
KEGG
ChEMBL
CompTox Dashboard (EPA)
ECHA InfoCard100.054.126
Chemical and physical data
FormulaC19H24N2O2
Molar mass312.413 g·mol−1
3D model (JSmol)
Melting point136 to 138 °C (277 to 280 °F)
  • O=C4N2C(c1c(cccc1)CC2)CN(C(=O)C3CCCCC3)C4
  • 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
  (verify)

Side effects in humans 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.

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