Praziquantel
Also known as: Droncit, Drontal, Drontal Plus, Profender, Quest Plus, Equimax, Zimecterin Gold, Virbantel, Panacur Plus, Biltricide, Milbemax, Broadline, Milpro
### Important Information for Pet Owners * **Administration:** You can give this medication with or without food. Fasting is not required before dosing. Tablets may be crushed or mixed with a small amount of tasty food to make it easier to give. * **What to Expect:** It is completely normal **not** to see dead worms in your pet's stool after treatment. Praziquantel causes the tapeworms to disintegrate, and they are usually digested by your pet's body. * **Preventing Reinfection:** A single dose is usually highly effective at clearing the current infection. However, tapeworms (especially *Dipylidium caninum*) are transmitted by fleas. **Strict flea control** is essential to prevent your pet from getting tapeworms again. If your pet hunts or eats rodents, they may also be at risk for reinfection. * **Side Effects:** Side effects are rare when given by mouth but can occasionally include mild vomiting, drooling (especially in cats), lethargy, or diarrhea. If your pet received an injection, they might experience temporary pain at the injection site.
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
- For susceptible cestodes (IM or SC)
- For susceptible cestodes (Oral)
- For susceptible parasites using combination product with pyrantel pamoate (Drontal)
- For treatment of Paragonimiasis (Paragonimus kellicotti)
- For treatment of Giardia infections
- For Alaria spp.
- For Spirometra mansonoides
- For Taenia, Echinococcus, Dipylidium caninum, Mesocestoides (adult)
- For Diphyllobothrium (adult)
- For Sparganum proliferum (adult)
- Treatment of tapeworms (Dipylidium, Taenia, Echinococcus, Mesocestoides)
- Treatment of tapeworms
- For all species of Moniezia, Stilesia, or Avitellina
How it is given
Possible side effects
- Oral (uncommon, <5%): Anorexia, vomiting, lethargy, diarrhea, salivation (cats)
- Injectable (dogs): Pain at injection site, vomiting, drowsiness, staggering gait
- Injectable (cats): Diarrhea, weakness, vomiting, salivation, sleepiness, transient anorexia, pain at injection site
- Anorexia
- Vomiting
- Lethargy
- Diarrhoea
- Transient hypersalivation (if spot-on application site is licked)
- Localized tissue sensitivity and pain at injection site (particularly in cats)
Cautions & contraindications
- Puppies less than 4 weeks old (for solo product)
- Kittens less than 6 weeks old (for solo product)
- Known hypersensitivity to praziquantel
- Unweaned puppies or kittens (unlikely to be affected by tapeworms at this age)
- Animals weighing < 1 kg (specifically for spot-on preparations)
- > **Age Restrictions:** The manufacturer recommends not using solo praziquantel in puppies < 4 weeks or kittens < 6 weeks. However, some combination products (e.g., with febantel) are FDA-approved for puppies and kittens of all ages. > **Pregnancy:** Considered safe to use in pregnant dogs and cats (Papich Class A). > **Nursing:** Appears in maternal milk at ~25% of maternal serum concentration, but is unlikely to pose harm to nursing offspring.
Drug interactions
- Oxamniquine: Reportedly synergistic activity occurs in humans in the treatment of schistosomiasis; clinical implications in veterinary patients are unclear.
- Grapefruit juice: Can increase the area under the curve (AUC) of orally administered praziquantel by 150-200% in dogs.
- Dexamethasone: Concurrent administration may significantly decrease serum praziquantel concentrations.
- Cimetidine: May decrease the metabolic clearance of praziquantel, increasing its serum levels.
Frequently asked questions
What is Praziquantel used for in pets?
### Important Information for Pet Owners * **Administration:** You can give this medication with or without food. Fasting is not required before dosing. Tablets may be crushed or mixed with a small amount of tasty food to make it easier to give. * **What to Expect:** It is completely normal **not** to see dead worms in your pet's stool after treatment. Praziquantel causes the tapeworms to disintegrate, and they are usually digested by your pet's body. * **Preventing Reinfection:** A single dose is usually highly effective at clearing the current infection. However, tapeworms (especially *Dipylidium caninum*) are transmitted by fleas. **Strict flea control** is essential to prevent your pet from getting tapeworms again. If your pet hunts or eats rodents, they may also be at risk for reinfection. * **Side Effects:** Side effects are rare when given by mouth but can occasionally include mild vomiting, drooling (especially in cats), lethargy, or diarrhea. If your pet received an injection, they might experience temporary pain at the injection site.
Is Praziquantel 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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