Piperazine
Also known as: Pipa-Tabs, Wazine, WormEze, D-Worm, Tasty Paste, Various AVM-GSL products
* **Administer exactly as directed**: Give only the amount prescribed by your veterinarian. Do not overdose. * **Retreatment is usually necessary**: Because the medication only kills adult worms in the intestines and does not affect migrating larvae in the tissues, a second dose is typically required 2 to 3 weeks after the first dose. * **Monitor for side effects**: Contact your veterinarian immediately if you notice any serious adverse effects such as vomiting, diarrhea, severe weakness, muscle twitching, or uncoordinated walking (ataxia).
Dosage must be set by your veterinarian for your specific pet. Never give human medication or another pet’s prescription without veterinary guidance.
What it is used for
- Treatment of ascarids
- Treatment of ascarids
- Treatment of ascarids
- Treatment of ascarids
- Treatment of ascarids
- Treatment of ascarids
- Ascarids in poultry
- Nematodes in raptors
- Nematodes in parakeets and canaries
- Ascaridia galli in poultry
- Ascaris suum and Oesophagostomum
- Ascaris suum and Oesophagostomum
- Pinworms (Mice, rats, hamsters, gerbils, and rabbits)
- Pinworms (Rabbits)
How it is given
Possible side effects
- Diarrhea
- Emesis
- Ataxia
- Transient softening of feces (horses)
- Neurological signs at high doses (ataxia, tremors)
Cautions & contraindications
- Chronic liver disease
- Chronic kidney disease
- Gastrointestinal hypomotility
- Chronic renal failure
- Hepatic impairment
- Heavy worm burdens (relative contraindication due to risk of intestinal impaction)
- > **Important**: Use with caution in patients with seizure disorders. > **Equine Warning**: In horses with heavy infestations of *Parascaris equorum*, rupture or blockage of the intestines is possible due to the rapid death and detachment of a large worm burden. * **Laboratory Interference**: Piperazine can affect uric acid blood levels (both falsely high and low values have been reported); interpret results cautiously.
Drug interactions
- Chlorpromazine: May precipitate seizures if used concomitantly (data conflicts, but caution is advised)
- Laxatives (Purgatives): Not recommended; may eliminate piperazine from the GI tract before its full efficacy is established
- Pyrantel / Morantel: Antagonistic modes of action (pyrantel causes spastic paralysis, piperazine causes flaccid paralysis); should not be used together
- Pyrantel: Antagonistic mechanism of action (Pyrantel causes spastic paralysis, Piperazine causes flaccid paralysis)
- Morantel: Antagonistic mechanism of action
Frequently asked questions
What is Piperazine used for in pets?
* **Administer exactly as directed**: Give only the amount prescribed by your veterinarian. Do not overdose. * **Retreatment is usually necessary**: Because the medication only kills adult worms in the intestines and does not affect migrating larvae in the tissues, a second dose is typically required 2 to 3 weeks after the first dose. * **Monitor for side effects**: Contact your veterinarian immediately if you notice any serious adverse effects such as vomiting, diarrhea, severe weakness, muscle twitching, or uncoordinated walking (ataxia).
Is Piperazine safe for my pet?
Dosage must be set by your veterinarian for your specific pet. Never give human medication or another pet’s prescription without veterinary guidance.
This article is for general education and is not a substitute for professional veterinary advice. If your pet is unwell, please consult a veterinarian.
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