Biltricide (Praziquantel) - Summary

BILTRICIDE SUMMARY

BILTRICIDE® (praziquantel) is a trematodicide provided in tablet form for the oral treatment of schistosome infections and infections due to liver fluke.

BILTRICIDE® is indicated for the treatment of infections due to: all species of schistosoma (e.g. Schistosoma mekongi, Schistosoma japonicum, Schistosoma mansoni and Schistosoma hematobium), and infections due to the liver flukes, Clonorchis sinensis/Opisthorchis viverrini (approval of this indication was based on studies in which the two species were not differentiated).

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NEWS HIGHLIGHTS

Published Studies Related to Biltricide (Praziquantel)

A multicentre randomized controlled trial of the efficacy and safety of single-dose praziquantel at 40 mg/kg vs. 60 mg/kg for treating intestinal schistosomiasis in the Philippines, Mauritania, Tanzania and Brazil. [2011.06]
CONCLUSION: A higher dose of 60 mg/kg of praziquantel offers no significant efficacy advantage over standard 40 mg/kg for treating intestinal schistosomiasis caused by either S. mansoni or S. japonicum. The results of this study support WHO recommendation and should be used to inform policy decisions in the countries.

Albendazole-praziquantel interaction in healthy volunteers: kinetic disposition, metabolism and enantioselectivity. [2011.04]
AIM: This study investigated the kinetic disposition, metabolism and enantioselectivity of albendazole (ABZ) and praziquantel (PZQ) administered alone and in combination to healthy volunteers... CONCLUSIONS: The pharmacokinetic interaction between ABZ and PZQ in healthy volunteers was demonstrated by the observation of increased plasma concentrations of ASON, both ASOX enantiomers and (-)-(R)-PZQ. Clinically, the combination of ABZ and PZQ may improve the therapeutic efficacy as a consequence of higher concentration of both active drugs. On the other hand, the magnitude of this elevation may represent an increased risk of side effects, requiring, certainly, reduction of the dosage. However, further studies are necessary to evaluate the efficacy and safety of this combination. (c) 2011 The Authors. British Journal of Clinical Pharmacology (c) 2011 The British Pharmacological Society.

A randomised controlled clinical trial on the safety of co-administration of albendazole, ivermectin and praziquantel in infected schoolchildren in Uganda. [2011.04]
Integrated chemotherapy of neglected tropical diseases (NTD) through mass drug administration given as a single dose would increase treatment coverage and cost-effectiveness...

Efficacy and safety of mefloquine, artesunate, mefloquine-artesunate, tribendimidine, and praziquantel in patients with Opisthorchis viverrini: a randomised, exploratory, open-label, phase 2 trial. [2011.02]
BACKGROUND: Praziquantel is the only drug available for treatment of Opisthorchis viverrini, although in-vivo studies point to activity of mefloquine, artesunate, and tribendimidine against this liver fluke. We aimed to assess the efficacy and safety of these drugs compared with that of praziquantel in patients with O viverrini infection... INTERPRETATION: Tribendimidine seems to be at least as efficacious as the drug of choice, praziquantel, for the treatment of O viverrini infections; both drugs were well tolerated. Mefloquine, artesunate, and mefloquine-artesunate did not show an effect. Tribendimidine should be further investigated with large clinical trials. FUNDING: Swiss National Science Foundation, University of Basel. Copyright (c) 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Field trial of praziquantel for control of fishborne zoonotic trematodes in reservoir hosts in Vietnam. [2010.12.15]
This field trial was conducted to determine whether 40 or 75 mg/kg of praziquantel is suitable for treatment of fishborne zoonotic trematodes (FZT) in naturally infected dogs (n=10) and cats (n=11). Three days after treatment all animals at either dose were negative for small trematode eggs...

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Clinical Trials Related to Biltricide (Praziquantel)

Evaluation of Praziquantel Dosage for Treatment of Schistosomiasis in Brazil [Completed]
The primary objective of this project is to evaluate the efficacy and safety of praziquantel 60 mg/kg in the treatment of schistosomiasis, as compared to the standard 40 mg/kg therapy in a representative community from a highly endemic area of schistosomiasis in Northeastern Brazil. Cure rates, reduction in egg counts and proportions of reported side-effects in children at the 10-19 y age-range with at least 100 eggs per gram of faeces will be compared between regimens, aiming to evaluate the superiority of 60 mg/kg over the 40mg/kg dose currently recommended by the WHO. Reinfection rates will also be evaluated aiming to improve transmission control within the local health system, including re-treatment combined with auxiliary control measures. Features related to the clinical, nutritional and immunological status of the patients prior to treatment will also be investigated in association with the outcome of praziquantel treatment.

Neurocysticercosis: Combined Treatment With Praziquantel (PZQ) and Albendazole (ABZ) [Completed]

A Randomised Trial of Artesunate-sulfamethoxypyrazine/Pyrimethamine Versus Praziquantel for the Treatment of S. Mansoni [Completed]
The purpose of this study is to determine the comparative efficacy of artesunate plus sulfamethoxypyrazine-pyrimethamine versus Praziquantel in the treatment of school children infected with S. mansoni in western Kenya.

Relative Bioavailability Trial of Oral Dispersible Praziquantel Tablets in Healthy Volunteers [Completed]

Antioxidant Supplements in the Reversal of Schistosomal Peri-portal Fibrosis [Recruiting]
Liver fibrosis is the most serious complication of schistosomiasis mansoni. However only limited proportion of subjects with infection develop this pathology and there is limited knowledge on risk factors for the differential morbidity patterns observed in endemic communities. Our preliminary cross-sectional study indicated that serum levels of antioxidants may be related with the development of fibrosis. The present project is a randomised double blinded placebo controlled prospective study investigating the role of food based antioxidant supplements on the outcome of anti-schistosomal chemotherapy with regards to the extent of fibrosis reversal.

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Reports of Suspected Biltricide (Praziquantel) Side Effects

Abdominal Pain (2),  Cholestasis (2),  Pyrexia (2),  Constipation (2),  Migraine (2),  Dyspnoea (2),  Cytolytic Hepatitis (2),  Drug Ineffective (1),  Urticaria (1),  Angioedema (1), more >>