Generic Biltricide Praziquantel

What is Praziquantel?

 

Praziquantel under the US brand name Biltricide is very effective in the treatment of worm infections. Belonging to a class of drugs called anthelmintics, Praziquantel acts upon blood fluke infections that are also identified as schistosomiasis, bilharziasis, or snail fever. Though not indicated in product labeling, Biltricide may also be used to treat some types of tapeworm infections. However, off-label uses must be prescribed by a qualified physician only. Pinworms or other roundworms can not be treated with Praziquantel.

 

What does Praziquantel look like?

 

Biltricide (Praziquantel) is supplied in the form of 600 mg film-coated tablets. There are also other brands or generic formulations available in the market. If you have any doubt regarding this medication, do not hesitate to ask questions to your pharmacist.

 

How does Praziquantel work?

 

Praziquantel works by inducing severe spasms and paralysis of the worms’ muscles. This paralysis comes with or is possibly caused by a brisk Ca 2+ influx inside the schistosome. Another early impact of Biltricide is morphological or structural changes that are attached to an amplified revelation of schistosome substances at the parasite surface. While some kinds of worms are totally destroyed in the intestine, some others are passed in the stool. One attention-grabbing fact about Praziquantel is that it proves to be comparatively ineffective against juvenile schistosomes.

 

What are the vital pieces of information about Praziquantel?

 

Patients taking Biltricide (Praziquantel) may experience dizziness. So, be careful while driving, running machines, or carrying out other dangerous activities. Steer clear of these activities when you feel that you’re about to fall. The medication must be taken with a beverage during a meal. You need to take the pill orally by swallowing it whole. Refrain from chewing or crushing the pill.

 

Who should not use Praziquantel?

 

Informing your doctor about other medical conditions you have is very essential before taking Praziquantel. It should not be used for parasitic infections in the eye. As Biltricide is listed in the FDA pregnancy category B, it is not going to harm an unborn baby. Still, you should first take advice of your doctor before using the drug if you’re pregnant.

 

Breastfeeding women should take the permission of their doctor before starting the Biltricide therapy. As the medication passes into breast milk, it may cause damage to a nursing baby. So, breastfeeding is halted for a brief period of time during the Praziquantel treatment. Children below the age of 4 should not take this drug unless other than prescribed by a doctor.

 

What happens in case of a missed dose of Praziquantel?

 

You can take the missed dose of Praziquantel as soon as you get to know about it. If it is too late or clashes with the time for the next dose, it would be better to skip the missed dose completely and start afresh by going back to your regular dosing schedule. It would not be a wise thing to take two doses at the same time.

 

What happens in case of overdoses of Praziquantel?

 

When you take too much of Biltricide (Praziquantel), there is no other option left, but to seek immediate medical help or call a poison control center near you.