prazikvantel

Prazikvantel, also spelled praziquantel, is an antiparasitic (anthelminthic) medicine used to treat a range of flatworm infections (trematodes and cestodes), most notably schistosomiasis and various tapeworm and liver fluke infections. It is listed on the World Health Organization's Model List of Essential Medicines.

Its mechanism of action involves increasing the permeability of parasite cell membranes to calcium, producing sustained muscular contractions, paralysis, and death of the parasite while generally sparing the host.

It is effective against Schistosoma species, Taenia solium and Taenia saginata, Diphyllobothrium latum, and liver flukes such as Clonorchis sinensis and Opisthorchis viverrini. It is not routinely used for nematode infections. Dosing is weight-based, typically given as a single dose or divided doses depending on the parasite.

Orally administered with good absorption, enhanced by high-fat meals. It is rapidly distributed and extensively metabolized in the liver, with a short elimination half-life. It is available in tablet form (commonly 600 mg) and, for children, in dispersible or liquid formulations.

Common adverse effects include abdominal discomfort, nausea, diarrhea, dizziness, headache, and fever. Hypersensitivity reactions are rare. Caution is advised in liver disease; use during pregnancy is generally considered safe (pregnancy category B) when benefits outweigh risks.

Praziquantel was developed for human use in the 1970s and has since become a widely used, globally available antiparasitic. It is produced as both brand-name and generic formulations and is a key component of control programs for schistosomiasis and other helminthiases.