Comparative Pharmacology
Head-to-head clinical analysis: HETRAZAN versus PRAZIQUANTEL.
Peer-Reviewed Evidence
Head-to-head clinical analysis: HETRAZAN versus PRAZIQUANTEL.
HETRAZAN vs PRAZIQUANTEL
Comparing the clinical profiles, pharmacokinetic behaviors, and safety indices of these two therapeutic agents.
Diethylcarbamazine (HETRAZAN) sensitizes microfilariae to phagocytosis by immobilizing them and altering their surface, making them more susceptible to destruction by host immune cells. It also has anthelminthic activity against adult worms.
Praziquantel increases the permeability of schistosome cell membranes to calcium ions, causing severe contraction and paralysis of the worm musculature, leading to dislodgment and death.
2 mg/kg orally three times daily after meals for 3 weeks (total dose 120 mg/kg per course). Maximum single dose: 10 mg/kg.
20 mg/kg orally three times daily for 1 day for schistosomiasis; 25 mg/kg orally three times daily for 1 day for clonorchiasis and opisthorchiasis; 5-10 mg/kg orally single dose for taeniasis; 15-25 mg/kg orally single dose for hymenolepiasis; 25 mg/kg orally three times daily for 1 day for paragonimiasis, fasciolopsiasis, and heterophyiasis.
None Documented
None Documented
Clinical Note
moderatePraziquantel + Tenofovir disoproxil
"The metabolism of Tenofovir disoproxil can be decreased when combined with Praziquantel."
Clinical Note
moderatePraziquantel + Sulfisoxazole
"The metabolism of Sulfisoxazole can be decreased when combined with Praziquantel."
Clinical Note
moderatePraziquantel + Erythromycin
"The metabolism of Erythromycin can be decreased when combined with Praziquantel."
Clinical Note
moderatePraziquantel + Cyclosporine
Terminal elimination half-life is 8-12 hours in patients with normal renal function; may be prolonged in renal impairment.
Terminal elimination half-life is 1-1.5 hours for praziquantel; 4-6 hours for its main metabolite (4-hydroxypraziquantel). Half-life prolonged in patients with severe hepatic impairment.
Renal excretion of unchanged drug accounts for approximately 50-60% of elimination; the remainder is metabolized hepatically with metabolites excreted in urine. Fecal elimination is minimal (<5%).
Primarily renal: approximately 80% of metabolites excreted in urine (unchanged drug <0.1%); fecal excretion accounts for about 15%.
Category C
Category A/B
Anthelmintic
Anthelmintic
"The metabolism of Cyclosporine can be decreased when combined with Praziquantel."