Introduction About PRAZIJOL TABLET

PRAZIJOL TABLET contains Praziquantel which belongs to the group of medicines called Anthelmintics. PRAZIJOL TABLET is used in adults and children (aged above 6-years) to manage Schistosomiasis, which is an acute and chronic parasitic disease caused by various types of blood fluke worms (such as Schistosoma mansoni, Schistosoma haematobium, Schistosoma japonicum, Schistosoma mekongi, Schistosoma intercalatum) generally characterized by symptoms such as fever, chills, cough, and/or muscle aches in affected individuals.

PRAZIJOL TABLET is not recommended for use in patients allergic to Praziquantel. It is also not recommended for use in patients suffering from ocular cysticercosis (parasitic infestation of eye), epilepsy, and/or other parasitic infections involving central nervous system (such as cysticercosis).

Before taking PRAZIJOL TABLET, inform your doctor if you suffer from neurocysticercosis (parasitic infection caused by larval cysts of pork tapeworm), and/or have moderate to severe liver disease, kidney problems (such as renal impairment), and heart problems (such as cardiac arrhythmias/cardiac insufficiency).

PRAZIJOL TABLET should be used with caution in pregnant women only if it is clearly necessary. It is not recommended for use in breastfeeding women as the medicine may pass through milk.

PRAZIJOL TABLET should be used with caution in children and adolescents (aged 6 to 18 years) and advised to be used with caution in elderly patients (aged 65 years and above) after consulting the doctor.

The most common side effects of taking PRAZIJOL TABLET are headache, dizziness, abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, urticaria (red itchy welts), and/or fatigue. Consult your doctor if any of these symptoms worsens.

Uses Of PRAZIJOL TABLET

• Manage and prevents Schistosomiasis (parasitic disease caused by various types of blood fluke worms)

How PRAZIJOL TABLET Works

PRAZIJOL TABLET works by inducing a specific effect on the permeability of cell membrane which leads to rapid contraction of muscles in worms thus resulting in its paralysis and elimination of disease in affected individuals.

How to use PRAZIJOL TABLET

Take PRAZIJOL TABLET as advised by your physician. Swallow the medicine with a glass of water. Do not crush or chew the medicine. Your doctor will decide the correct dose and duration for you depending upon your age, body weight and disease condition.

Side Effects Of PRAZIJOL TABLET

How To Manage Side Effects

Headache:

If PRAZIJOL TABLET causes headache, then take rest and drink plenty of fluids. Try to avoid drinking alcohol. Ask your doctor to recommend a painkiller. Headaches should usually go away after the first week of taking PRAZIJOL TABLET. If it lasts more than a week or becomes severe, then consult and inform your doctor.

Nausea and vomiting:

Take PRAZIJOL TABLET with/just after a meal. Stick to simple meals. Avoid eating oil rich/spicy foods, sugary snacks and drinks. Avoid drinking too much liquid along with your meals, and drink slowly in between meals. Consult your doctor if the condition worsens.

Diarrhoea:

Drink plenty of water and stay hydrated. Try to avoid taking any medicine on your own to manage diarrhea. Consult and inform your doctor if the symptom worsens.

Warning & Precautions

Pregnancy

PRAZIJOL TABLET should be used with caution during pregnancy only if it is clearly necessary. Contact your doctor before taking the medicine.

Breastfeeding

PRAZIJOL TABLET is not recommended for use in breastfeeding women as the medicine may pass through milk. Consult your doctor before taking the medicine.

Driving and Using Machines

Do not drive or operate machines if you experience dizziness, somnolence (excessive sleepiness), and/or seizures after taking PRAZIJOL TABLET.

Kidney

PRAZIJOL TABLET should be used with caution in patients with kidney problems such as renal impairment. Consult your doctor before taking PRAZIJOL TABLET.

Liver

PRAZIJOL TABLET should be used with caution in patients with moderate to severe liver disease. Consult your doctor before taking PRAZIJOL TABLET.

Allergy

Do not take PRAZIJOL TABLET if you are allergic to Praziquantel, and/or any other ingredients of this medicine.

Heart Disease

PRAZIJOL TABLET should be used with caution in patients with heart problems such as cardiac arrhythmias or cardiac insufficiency. Consult your doctor before taking PRAZIJOL TABLET.

Interactions

A. Drug-Drug interactions:

Before taking PRAZIJOL TABLET, inform your doctor if you are taking any of the following medicine:

• rifampicin (medicine used for tuberculosis)
• antiepileptic medicines (used to manage epilepsy) Ex. carbamazepine, phenytoin, phenobarbital
• dexamethasone (medicine used to manage inflammation)
• cimetidine (medicine used to manage ulcers of stomach and intestines)
• ketoconazole, itraconazole (medicine used to manage fungal infections)
• erythromycin (used to manage bacterial infections)
• chloroquine (used to manage malaria)

B. Drug-Food interaction:

Avoid consumption of grapefruit juice while taking PRAZIJOL TABLET as it may alter the effect of the medicine.

Overdosage:

If you or anyone else accidentally takes too much of PRAZIJOL TABLET, consult your doctor immediately or visit the nearby hospital to manage overdose symptoms.

Synopsis

More Information

• Keep PRAZIJOL TABLET out of the sight and reach of children
• Do not store PRAZIJOL TABLET above 30°C

FAQs About PRAZIJOL TABLET

Q. What is PRAZIJOL TABLET used for?

A. PRAZIJOL TABLET is used in adults and children (aged above 6-years) to manage Schistosomiasis, which is an acute and chronic parasitic disease caused by various types of blood fluke worms (such as Schistosoma mansoni, Schistosoma haematobium, Schistosoma japonicum, Schistosoma mekongi, Schistosoma intercalatum) generally characterized by symptoms such as fever, chills, cough, and/or muscle aches in affected individuals.

Q. What are the side effects of PRAZIJOL TABLET?

A. The most common side effects of taking PRAZIJOL TABLET are headache, dizziness, abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, urticaria (red itchy welts), and/or fatigue. Consult your doctor if any of these symptoms worsens.

Q. How PRAZIJOL TABLET is taken?

A. Take PRAZIJOL TABLET as advised by your physician. Swallow the medicine with a glass of water. Do not crush or chew the medicine. Your doctor will decide the correct dose and duration for you depending upon your age, body weight and disease condition.

Q. What happens if PRAZIJOL TABLET is taken more than its required dosage?

A. If you or anyone else accidentally takes too much of PRAZIJOL TABLET, consult your doctor immediately or visit the nearby hospital to manage overdose symptoms.

Q. How PRAZIJOL TABLET works?

A. PRAZIJOL TABLET works by inducing a specific effect on the permeability of cell membrane which leads to rapid contraction of muscles in worms thus resulting in its paralysis and elimination of disease in affected individuals.

References

1. K.D. Tripathi. Anthelmintic drugs. Essentials of medical pharmacology. Seventh edition. 2013. Page – 855.

2. Praziquantel. NIH National Library of Medicine. National Center for Biotechnology Information. August 2022. [Accessed on 6th August 2022] https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/compound/Praziquantel#section=Metabolism-Metabolites

3. Macleods Pharmaceuticals Limited. Praziquantel. [Revised in April 2020] [Accessed on 6th August 2022] https://extranet.who.int/pqweb/sites/default/files/NT004part4_0.pdf

4. Bayer HealthCare Pharmaceuticals Inc. U.S. Food & Drug Administration (USFDA). [Revised in January 2019] [Accessed on 6th August 2022] https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2019/018714s018lbl.pdf

Useful Diagnostic Tests

• Microscopic examination of stool/urine
• Blood test