Biltricide (Praziquantel): Uses, Dosage, Side Effects, Interactions, Warning

Drug Summary

What Is Biltricide?

Biltricide (praziquantel) is an anthelmintic, or anti-worm, medication used to treat infections caused by Schistosoma worms, which enter the body through skin that has come into contact with contaminated water. Schistosoma worms are found in Africa, South America, Middle Eastern countries, the Caribbean, and parts of Asia. Biltricide is also used to treat infection with liver flukes, caused by a type of worm found in East Asia.

What Are Side Effects of Biltricide?

Biltricide may cause serious side effects including:

• hives,
• difficulty breathing,
• swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat,
• fever,
• chills,
• sore throat,
• headache,
• body aches,
• tiredness,
• not feeling well,
• slow or irregular heartbeats,
• stomach cramps,
• bloating,
• diarrhea,
• constipation,
• nausea,
• seizure,
• trouble concentrating,
• cold sweats, and
• skin irritation

Get medical help right away, if you have any of the symptoms listed above.

Common side effects of Biltricide include:

• headache,
• dizziness,
• stomach pain or upset,
• nausea,
• tiredness,
• weakness,
• joint or muscle pain,
• loss of appetite,
• vomiting,
• fever,
• skin rash, and
• sweating.

Side effects of Biltricide are usually mild and temporary and may be symptoms of the parasite infection and/or the dying parasites.

Tell your doctor if you have rare but very serious side effects of Biltricide including:

• bloody diarrhea,
• fever,
• irregular or slow heartbeat, or
• seizures.

Seek medical care or call 911 at once if you have the following serious side effects:

• Serious eye symptoms such as sudden vision loss, blurred vision, tunnel vision, eye pain or swelling, or seeing halos around lights;
• Serious heart symptoms such as fast, irregular, or pounding heartbeats; fluttering in your chest; shortness of breath; and sudden dizziness, lightheadedness, or passing out;
• Severe headache, confusion, slurred speech, arm or leg weakness, trouble walking, loss of coordination, feeling unsteady, very stiff muscles, high fever, profuse sweating, or tremors.

This document does not contain all possible side effects and others may occur. Check with your physician for additional information about side effects.

Dosage for Biltricide

The recommended dosage of Biltricide for the treatment of schistosomiasis is 20 mg/kg three times a day as a one day treatment, at intervals of 4 to 6 hours. The recommended dose for clonorchiasis and opisthorchiasis is 25 mg/kg three times a day as a one day treatment, at intervals of 4 to 6 hours.

What Drugs, Substances, or Supplements Interact with Biltricide?

Biltricide may interact with cimetidine, chloroquine, itraconazole or ketoconazole, dexamethasone, erythromycin, St. John's wort, rifabutin or rifapentine, barbiturates, HIV medications, medicines to treat narcolepsy, or seizure medications. Tell your doctor all medications you use.

Biltricide During Pregnancy or Breastfeeding

During pregnancy, Biltricide should be used only when prescribed. This drug passes into breast milk. Breastfeeding while using this drug is not recommended. Nursing mothers should stop breastfeeding on the day of treatment and for 72 hours after taking the last dose.

Additional Information

Our Biltricide (praziquantel) Side Effects Drug Center provides a comprehensive view of available drug information on the potential side effects when taking this medication.