Proper Use

Drug information provided by: Merative, Micromedex®

Take this medicine exactly as directed by your doctor. Do not take more of it, do not take it more often, and do not take it for a longer time than your doctor ordered. To do so may increase the chance of side effects.

Praziquantel has a bitter taste that may cause gagging or vomiting. The bitter taste may be more noticeable if the tablets are held in the mouth or chewed. Therefore, do not chew praziquantel tablets. Swallow the tablets whole with water during meals.

If your child cannot swallow the tablet, you may crush or dissolve and mix it with semi-solid food or liquid. Take the mixture within 1 hour of mixing.

Do not break the tablet unless your doctor tells you to. If you have been told to break your tablet, you can break off a part by pressing the notch with your thumbnails. If one-fourth of a tablet is required, break the tablet from the outer end.

Keep using this medicine for the full treatment time, even if you feel better after the first few doses. Your infection may not clear up if you stop using the medicine too soon.

Do not eat grapefruit or drink grapefruit juice while you are using this medicine.

Dosing

The dose of this medicine will be different for different patients. Follow your doctor's orders or the directions on the label. The following information includes only the average doses of this medicine. If your dose is different, do not change it unless your doctor tells you to do so.

The amount of medicine that you take depends on the strength of the medicine. Also, the number of doses you take each day, the time allowed between doses, and the length of time you take the medicine depend on the medical problem for which you are using the medicine.

  • For oral dosage form (tablets):
    • For clonorchiasis (Chinese or Oriental liver fluke) and opisthorchiasis (liver flukes):
      • Adults and children 1 year of age and older—Dose is based on body weight and must be determined by your doctor. The dose is 25 milligrams (mg) per kilogram (kg) of body weight taken 3 times a day for 1 day only. Each dose should be at least 4 hours apart and not more than 6 hours apart.
      • Children younger than 1 year of age—Use and dose must be determined by the doctor.
    • For schistosomiasis:
      • Adults and children 1 year of age and older—Dose is based on body weight and must be determined by your doctor. The dose is 20 milligrams (mg) per kilogram (kg) of body weight taken 3 times a day for 1 day only. Each dose should be at least 4 hours apart and not more than 6 hours apart.
      • Children younger than 1 year of age—Use and dose must be determined by the doctor.

Missed Dose

If you miss a dose of this medicine, take it as soon as possible. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not double doses.

Storage

Store the medicine in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light. Keep from freezing.

Keep out of the reach of children.

Do not keep outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed.

Ask your healthcare professional how you should dispose of any medicine you do not use.

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