Biltricide (Praziquantel) Drug Information: Overdosage and Contraindications

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May 25, 2012

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Schistosomiasis »

What is schistosomiasis?

Schistosomiasis is a disease that is caused by parasites (genus Schistosoma) that enter humans by attaching to the skin, penetrating it, and then migrating through the venous system to the portal veins where the parasites produce eggs and eventually, the symptoms of acute or chronic disease (for example, fever, abdominal discomfort, blood in stools). This disease is also known as bilharziasis, bilharzia, bilharziosis, and snail fever or, in the acute form, Katayama fever. Theodore Bilharz identified the parasite Schistosoma hematobium in Egypt in 1851. Schistosomiasis is the second most prevalent tropical disease in the world; malaria is the first. The disease is found mainly in developing countries in Africa, Asia, South America, the Middle East, and the Caribbean. About 207 million people in at least 74 countries are estimated to have the disease. In the U.S., it is diagnosed in tourists who have visited these developing...

Read the Schistosomiasis article »

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OVERDOSE

In rats and mice the acute LD50 was about 2,500 mg/kg. No data are available in humans. In the event of overdose a fast-acting laxative should be given.

CONTRAINDICATIONS

BILTRICIDE (praziquantel) is contraindicated in patients who previously have shown hypersensitivity to the drug or any of the excipients. Since parasite destruction within the eye may cause irreversible lesions, ocular cysticercosis must not be treated with this compound.

Concomitant administration with strong Cytochrome P450 (P450) inducers, such as rifampin, is contraindicated since therapeutically effective blood levels of praziquantel may not be achieved (see PRECAUTIONS: DRUG INTERACTIONS). In patients receiving rifampin who need immediate treatment for schistosomiasis, alternative agents for schistosomiasis should be considered. However, if treatment with praziquantel is necessary, rifampin should be discontinued 4 weeks before administration of praziquantel. Treatment with rifampin can then be restarted one day after completion of praziquantel treatment (see PRECAUTIONS: DRUG INTERACTIONS).

Last reviewed on RxList: 9/13/2010
This monograph has been modified to include the generic and brand name in many instances.