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1 May 2026Oral drugs

Praziquantel oral

Praziquantel guidance for schistosomiasis, taeniasis, and several fluke infections, with organism-specific dosing.

Prescription under medical supervision
This guide page is for structured reference only and does not replace a clinician, pharmacist, or emergency review. Dose choice, route choice, interactions, and safety decisions still need professional judgment.

Therapeutic action

Anthelminthic.

Indications

  • Urinary and intestinal schistosomiasis caused by S. haematobium, S. mansoni, S. japonicum, S. mekongi, and S. intercalatum.
  • Taeniasis caused by T. saginata, T. solium, D. latum, and H. nana.
  • Pulmonary, hepatobiliary, and intestinal fluke infections.

Forms and strengths

  • 600 mg breakable tablet.

Dose and duration

Child 4 years and over and adult.

Schistosomiasis

  • S. haematobium, S. mansoni, and S. intercalatum: 40 mg/kg single dose or 2 doses of 20 mg/kg administered 4 hours apart.
  • S. japonicum and S. mekongi: 2 doses of 30 mg/kg or 3 doses of 20 mg/kg administered 4 hours apart.

Taeniasis

  • T. saginata, T. solium, and D. latum: 5 to 10 mg/kg single dose.
  • H. nana: 15 to 25 mg/kg single dose.

Fluke infections

  • Pulmonary and hepatobiliary flukes: 25 mg/kg 3 times daily for 2 days.
  • Intestinal flukes: 25 mg/kg 3 times daily for 1 day.

Contra-indications, adverse effects, precautions

  • Do not administer to patients with ocular cysticercosis.
  • May cause drowsiness, headache, gastrointestinal disturbances, dizziness, allergic reactions, and neurological disorders in patients with undiagnosed neurocysticercosis.
  • Pregnancy: no contra-indication for treatment of schistosomiasis and taeniasis. For fluke infections, delay treatment until after delivery if immediate treatment is not essential.
  • Breast-feeding: no contra-indication.
  • Do not chew the tablets because of their bitter taste. Take during meals.
  • Praziquantel is not active against Fasciola hepatica and Fasciola gigantica.

Source

MSF Essential drugs practical guidelines (January 2026)

This page reproduces the structured reference information for this batch while leaving out the Storage and Remarks sections.

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