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Praziquantel

ATC code P02BA01

Also known as: Prazikuantel

Key facts
Active substance
Praziquantel
Drug class
Anthelmintic
ATC code
P02BA01
Authorisation
authorised nationally; no central EU authorisation
Information as of
2026-10-29

Key facts

Praziquantel is, per the US prescribing information, an anthelmintic used to treat schistosomiasis and liver fluke infections (clonorchiasis, opisthorchiasis) in patients aged 1 year and older.

What it is used for

  • Schistosomiasis due to all Schistosoma species (e.g. S. mekongi, S. japonicum, S. mansoni, S. hematobium).
  • Clonorchiasis and opisthorchiasis due to the liver flukes Clonorchis sinensis/Opisthorchis viverrini.
  • Each in patients aged 1 year and older.

Dosing

  • Schistosomiasis: 20 mg/kg bodyweight three times a day, 4 to 6 hours apart, for 1 day only.
  • Clonorchiasis and opisthorchiasis: 25 mg/kg bodyweight three times a day, 4 to 6 hours apart, for 1 day only.
  • Take with water during meals; do not chew or keep in the mouth (bitter taste); for children under 6 years tablets may be crushed and mixed with food.
  • No dose adjustment in renal impairment; monitor for adverse reactions in hepatic impairment.
  • Where possible, stop strong CYP 3A inducers 2 weeks to 4 weeks beforehand.

Contraindications

  • Hypersensitivity to praziquantel or any excipient.
  • Ocular cysticercosis (risk of irreversible eye lesions).
  • Concomitant strong CYP 3A inducers such as rifampin.

Important warnings

  • Clinical deterioration in schistosomiasis may occur (paradoxical, Jarisch-Herxheimer-like reactions).
  • May exacerbate CNS pathology due to schistosomiasis, paragonimiasis or Taenia solium cysticercosis; caution in epilepsy.
  • Treatment in the acute phase of schistosomiasis may not prevent progression.
  • Cardiac arrhythmias (bradycardia, ectopic rhythms, ventricular fibrillation, AV blocks); monitor patients with arrhythmias.
  • Higher plasma levels in hepatic impairment (hepatosplenic schistosomiasis).

Side effects

  • No frequencies are given; reported in adults and children: malaise, pyrexia, headache, dizziness, abdominal discomfort, nausea, urticaria.
  • Adverse reactions may be more frequent and/or serious with a heavy worm burden.

Interactions

  • Strong CYP 3A inducers (e.g. rifampin): contraindicated; avoid moderate inducers (e.g. efavirenz) where possible.
  • CYP450 inhibitors (e.g. cimetidine, ketoconazole, itraconazole, erythromycin, ritonavir) and grapefruit juice may raise praziquantel levels.

Pregnancy and breastfeeding

  • Published studies have not identified an association with major birth defects, miscarriage or adverse outcomes.
  • Praziquantel is present in human milk at low concentrations.

Summary of the official product information, written with AI on 2026-10-29. Every number was checked automatically against the original text. Not reviewed by a physician – the full official text is authoritative.

Full official text →

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For patients

Patient information (US)

This product has no separate US patient information.

Authorisation and brand names by country

Medicines with exactly this active-substance composition, as listed in the national registers – alphabetical and without ranking. Whether a product is currently available is not shown here.

Germany

  • BiltricideBayer Vital Gmbh · 1 register entry

Source: EMA – Article 57 product data (EU/EEA), as of 2026-10-29

USA

  • BiltricideBayer HealthCare Pharmaceuticals Inc. · 1 register entry

Source: U.S. FDA – Drug labels (openFDA/DailyMed), as of 2026-10-29

Brand names in 3 more European countries
Cyprus
Bermoxel
France
Biltricide
Netherlands
Biltricide

EMA – Article 57 product data (EU/EEA), 2026-10-29

Medelix receives no money from pharmaceutical companies. Brand names are listed alphabetically and without ranking.

Another question about this substance?

Medelix answers clinical questions from guidelines, studies and product information – every claim with its source.

Sources

  1. U.S. Food and Drug Administration. PRAZIQUANTEL (Par Health USA, LLC) – Prescribing Information, 2026-08-12. DailyMed (NLM), 2026-10-29. https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/lookup.cfm?setid=16f2b9c4-a260-4a31-bd52-e5945913246c
  2. EMA – Article 57 product data (EU/EEA), 2026-10-29. https://www.ema.europa.eu/en/human-regulatory-overview/post-authorisation/data-medicines-iso-idmp-standards-post-authorisation/public-data-article-57-database
  3. U.S. FDA – Drug labels (openFDA/DailyMed), 2026-10-29. https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/
  4. Wikidata (CC0): ATC P02BA.

Editorial: Medelix editorial team · last updated 2026-10-29 · How these pages are made · Report an error

Source: U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), prescribing information, via DailyMed (NLM); public domain. Not advertising, not a treatment recommendation. For questions about your own treatment, ask your doctor or pharmacist.