BILTRICIDE (Praziquantel) is an anti-helminthic drug that is used to treat intestinal blood-sucking parasitic worms such as liver flukes (fasciola species), flat worms, cestodes such as echinococcus, intestinal tape worms and cysticerco volvulus, Schistosoma worms, paragonimia worms and other similar parasites. These worms usually get entry in to the body through skin contact and cause anaemia, internal gangrene and other systemic diseases. Schistosomiasis is common in the East Asia population who consume sea foods. BILTRICIDE (Praziquantel) is contraindicated in children less than 2 years old.
Who should not take BILTRICIDE (Praziquantel)?
You should not take BILTRICIDE (Praziquantel), if you have pre-existing medical problems such as heart problems, liver and/or kidney disorders, epileptic disorders, behavioural problems and clinically-staged cancerous growths. If you are taking medicines such as AZT, Zidovudine, Rifampicin, chloroquin, phenobarbitol, Carbamazepine, tegretol, chloroquin, cimetidine, modafanil, steroidal medicines, erythromycin and its analogues, all imidazole groups of anti-fungal drugs, barbiturates and other anti-helminthic drugs, you should not take BILTRICIDE (Praziquantel). According to Food and Drug Administration, BILTRICIDE (Praziquantel) is a pregnancy category – B drug and it should be used in pregnancy only with proper medical advice. If you are lactating mother, you need to wait for 3 days (72 hours) to resume nursing. BILTRICIDE (Praziquantel) may present in your circulation for 3 days and it can affect your feeding infant. BILTRICIDE (Praziquantel) is contraindicated in children less than 2 years of age, even any of the infection(s) are present.
BILTRICIDE (Praziquantel) Side Effects:
BILTRICIDE (Praziquantel) can cause myalgia, pruritis like skin reactions, dizziness, slow paced heart beats, convulsions, vomiting, behavioural problems and vertigo, mild to moderate headache, oedema, eating disorders and abdominal discomfort with diarrhoea. Most of the common side effects are tolerable and will go by own after rest.
How should I take BILTRICIDE (Praziquantel)?
The daily recommended dosage for the BILTRICIDE (Praziquantel) differs with each types of infections. The daily recommended dose of BILTRICIDE (Praziquantel) for the treatment of Schistosomiasis is 20 mg/kg body weight in three divided doses for not more than one day. For other parasitic infections, 25 mg/kg body weight in three divided doses for a day. For these two treatments, there should be a regular interval of 4 - 6 hours. The following instruction should be followed to take the BILTRICIDE (Praziquantel): (1) You may need to break the drug segments of BILTRICIDE (Praziquantel) to adjust the dose, according to your weight and requirement. You can take BILTRICIDE (Praziquantel) with your meals 2) Take BILTRICIDE (Praziquantel) while you are sitting or standing up. 3) Take BILTRICIDE (Praziquantel) with 6 to 8 ounces (about 1 cup) of plain water. Do not take BILTRICIDE (Praziquantel) with any other drink besides plain water. Do not take BILTRICIDE (Praziquantel) with coffee, tea, juice, milk or other dairy drinks. 4) Swallow BILTRICIDE (Praziquantel) on a whole. Do not chew the tablet or keep BILTRICIDE (Praziquantel) in your mouth to melt or dissolve. After taking BILTRICIDE (Praziquantel) you must wait at least 30 minutes BEFORE: 1) lying down. You may sit, stand, or do normal activities like read the newspaper or take a walk. 2) Eating or drinking anything except plain water.
Keep taking BILTRICIDE (Praziquantel) for as long as your health care provider tells you. To treat your medical problems or to keep you away from these problems, you have to take BILTRICIDE (Praziquantel) as often and in the way BILTRICIDE (Praziquantel) as prescribed.
What should I know before I take BILTRICIDE (Praziquantel)?
- Take BILTRICIDE (Praziquantel) exactly as directed by your doctor. If you do not understand these directions, ask your pharmacist, nurse, or doctor to explain them to you.
- Do not consume alcohol or grape-fruit juice while taking BILTRICIDE (Praziquantel).
- You may need to break the BILTRICIDE (Praziquantel) as segments to take in the correct dose, according to your weight.
- You can take BILTRICIDE (Praziquantel) along with meals.
- You may feel bitter taste after you took BILTRICIDE (Praziquantel).
- For BILTRICIDE (Praziquantel) dosage one must follow his doctor's instructions.
- It is important to take BILTRICIDE (Praziquantel) regularly to get the most benefit, as directed by the Physician.
- Check your stools for cysts, ova and eggs of intestinal parasites and blood haemoglobin levels regularly after you took BILTRICIDE (Praziquantel) treatment.
- BILTRICIDE (Praziquantel) may sometimes impair your cognitive ability and judgement. Do not drive vehicles or handle hazardous industrial machineries.
- Do not stop taking BILTRICIDE (Praziquantel) without first talking to your doctor, even if you are feeling well. Even after your symptoms improve, you may require continuous treatment for quite some time, as directed by the Physician.
- Store BILTRICIDE (Praziquantel) as per the instructions on the label and keep away from children and pets.
What happens if I miss a dose of BILTRICIDE (Praziquantel)?
Take the missed dose of BILTRICIDE (Praziquantel) as soon as you remember, during the same day. If you do not remember until the next day, skip the missed dose and take BILTRICIDE (Praziquantel) next day as routine dose. Do not take a double dose of the medication.
What happens if I overdose of BILTRICIDE (Praziquantel)?
As it is one-day dose drug, there is no chance for overdose. In case of BILTRICIDE (Praziquantel) overdose, try to seek emergency medical attention immediately.
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