Praziquantel, Oral pray-zih-KWON-tel

What are other names for this medicine?

Type of medicine: antihelmintic (antiworm)

Generic and brand names: praziquantel, oral; Biltricide

What is this medicine used for?

This medicine is taken by mouth to treat blood fluke and other worm infections.

What should my healthcare provider know before I take this medicine?

Before taking this medicine, tell your healthcare provider if you have ever had:

• an allergic reaction to any medicine
• heart disease or heart rhythm problems
• liver disease
• seizures

Tell your healthcare provider if you have been taking rifampin (Rifadin, Rimactane).

Females of childbearing age: Tell your healthcare provider if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant while taking this medicine. Do not breast feed on the day that you take this medicine or for 3 days after you take it.

How do I use it?

Take this medicine with a full glass of water during meals.

Swallow the tablets whole (do not chew them). Keeping the tablets in your mouth may produce a very bitter taste that can make you gag. Do not break the tablets unless your healthcare provider tells you to do so.

Check the label on the medicine for directions about your specific dose. Take this medicine exactly as directed by your healthcare provider for the length of time prescribed.

What if I miss a dose?

If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember unless it is almost time for the next scheduled dose. In that case, skip the missed dose and take the next one as directed. Do not take double doses. If you are not sure of what to do if you miss a dose, or if you miss more than one dose, contact your healthcare provider.

What if I overdose?

If you or anyone else has intentionally taken too much of this medicine, call 911 or go to the emergency room right away. If you pass out, have seizures, weakness or confusion, or have trouble breathing, call 911. If you think that you or anyone else may have taken too much of this medicine, call the poison control center. Do this even if there are no signs of discomfort or poisoning. The poison control center number is 800-222-1222.

Symptoms of an acute overdose may include: dizziness, drowsiness, headache, stomach pain.

What should I watch out for?

Do not use this medicine to treat eye worm infections. It could seriously damage your eyes.

After you finish the prescription, your healthcare provider will examine you to see whether the infection is completely gone.

This medicine may make you dizzy or drowsy. Do not drive or operate machinery on the day you take this medicine or the next day.

If you need emergency care, surgery, or dental work, tell the healthcare provider or dentist you are taking this medicine.

What are the possible side effects?

Along with its needed effects, your medicine may cause some unwanted side effects. Some side effects may be very serious. Some side effects may go away as your body adjusts to the medicine. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any side effects that continue or get worse.

Life-threatening (Report these to your healthcare provider right away). If you cannot reach your healthcare provider right away, get emergency medical care or call 911 for help): Allergic reaction (hives; itching; rash; trouble breathing; chest pain or tightness in your chest; swelling of your lips, tongue, and throat).

The side effects of this medicine are usually mild and temporary. They include headache, dizziness, nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, fever, drowsiness, sweating, and skin rash.

What products might interact with this medicine?

When you take this medicine with other medicines, it can change the way this or any of the other medicines work. Nonprescription medicines, vitamins, natural remedies, and certain foods may also interact. Using these products together might cause harmful side effects. Talk to your healthcare provider if you are taking:

• albendazole (Albenza)
• antibiotics such as clarithromycin (Biaxin), erythromycin (Ery-Tabs, E.E.S.), isoniazid, metronidazole (Flagyl), norfloxacin (Noroxin), and telithromycin (Ketek)
• antidepressants such as nefazodone, and sertraline (Zoloft)
• antifungal medicines such as clotrimazole, fluconazole (Diflucan), itraconazole (Sporanox), ketoconazole (Nizoral), miconazole (Monistat, Micatin), posaconazole (Noxafil), and voriconazole (VFEND)
• anti-HIV medicines such as atazanavir (Reyataz), delavirdine (Rescriptor), fosamprenavir (Lexiva), indinavir (Crixivan), nelfinavir (Viracept), ritonavir (Norvir), and saquinavir (Invirase)
• antiseizure medicines such as carbamazepine (Tegretol), phenobarbital, and phenytoin (Dilantin)
• aprepitant (Emend)
• asthma medicines such as zafirlukast (Accolate) and zileuton (Zyflo)
• chloroquine (Aralen)
• cyclosporine (Gengraf, Neoral, Sandimmune)
• grapefruit juice
• dexamethasone
• haloperidol (Haldol)
• heart medicines such as amiodarone (Cordarone, Pacerone), diltiazem (Cardizem, Dilacor, Tiazac), nicardipine (Cardene, Cardene SR), quinidine, and verapamil (Calan, Covera, Isoptin)
• heartburn medicine such as cimetidine (Tagamet)
• imatinib (Gleevec)
• rifampin (Rifadin, Rimactane)
• tamoxifen

If you are not sure if your medicines might interact, ask your pharmacist or healthcare provider. Keep a list of all your medicines with you. List all the prescription medicines, nonprescription medicines, supplements, natural remedies, and vitamins that you take. Be sure that you tell all healthcare providers who treat you about all the products you are taking.

How should I store this medicine?

Store this medicine at room temperature. Keep the container tightly closed. Protect it from heat, high humidity, and bright light.

This advisory includes selected information only and may not include all side effects of this medicine or interactions with other medicines. Ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist for more information or if you have any questions.

Ask your pharmacist for the best way to dispose of outdated medicine or medicine you have not used. Do not throw medicine in the trash.

Keep all medicines out of the reach of children.

Do not share medicines with other people.