Praziquantel is 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.

Praziquantel is also used to treat infection with liver flukes, caused by a type of worm found in East Asia. This worm enters the body while eating contaminated fish.

Praziquantel is for use in adults and children who are at least 1 year old.

Praziquantel may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

You should not take praziquantel if you are allergic to praziquantel, or if you have taken rifampin in the last 4 weeks.

Praziquantel comes as a tablet to take by mouth with water and a meal. It is usually taken for one day as three doses; each dose spaced 4 to 6 hours apart. Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully, and ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any part you do not understand. Take praziquantel exactly as directed. Do not take more or less of it or take it more often than prescribed by your doctor.

Praziquantel tablets are marked with 3 notches so that they can easily be split. If your doctor has told you to take only part of a tablet, use your thumbnail to press down on the correct notch and separate the number of parts needed for your dose.

Swallow the tablets or tablet parts whole as soon as you put them into your mouth. Do not chew them, crush them, or hold them in your mouth. The bitter taste of the tablets may cause you to gag or vomit if you keep the tablets in your mouth before swallowing.

Follow all directions on your prescription label and read all medication guides or instruction sheets. Use the medicine exactly as directed.

Praziquantel is usually taken 3 times in one day. Take your doses 4 to 6 hours apart on that day.

Praziquantel should be taken with a meal and a full glass (8 ounces) of water.

You may need to break a praziquantel tablet in order to get the correct dose. Follow your doctor's instructions.

Do not chew the tablet or portion of a tablet. The bitter taste of the tablet could cause you to gag or vomit.

If the child taking praziquantel cannot swallow a tablet or tablet portion whole, crush the tablet and mix it with a liquid or semi-solid food. The child should swallow the mixture right away without chewing.

Call your doctor if your symptoms do not improve, or if they get worse.

Store at room temperature away from moisture and heat.

You should not use praziquantel if you are allergic to it, or if:

• you have a parasitic infection in your eye; or

• you have taken rifampin within the past 4 weeks.

Tell your doctor if you have ever had:

• lumps (nodules) under your skin;

• seizures or epilepsy;

• liver disease; or

• heart problems.

Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or breast-feeding.

Call your doctor for instructions if you miss a dose.

Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222.

Keep this medication in the container it came in, tightly closed, and out of reach of children. Store it at room temperature and away from excess heat and moisture (not in the bathroom).

Unneeded medications should be disposed of in special ways to ensure that pets, children, and other people cannot consume them. However, you should not flush this medication down the toilet. Instead, the best way to dispose of your medication is through a medicine take-back program. Talk to your pharmacist or contact your local garbage/recycling department to learn about take-back programs in your community. See the FDA's Safe Disposal of Medicines website (http://goo.gl/c4Rm4p) for more information if you do not have access to a take-back program.

It is important to keep all medication out of sight and reach of children as many containers (such as weekly pill minders and those for eye drops, creams, patches, and inhalers) are not child-resistant and young children can open them easily. To protect young children from poisoning, always lock safety caps and immediately place the medication in a safe location – one that is up and away and out of their sight and reach. http://www.upandaway.org

Talk to your doctor about eating grapefruit and drinking grapefruit juice while taking this medicine.

Avoid driving or hazardous activity on the day you take praziquantel, and also the day after. Your reactions could be impaired.

Grapefruit may interact with praziquantel and lead to unwanted side effects. Avoid the use of grapefruit products.

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficult breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Praziquantel may cause serious side effects. Call your doctor at once if you have:

• fever, chills, sore throat, headache, body aches, tiredness, not feeling well;

• slow or irregular heartbeats;

• stomach cramps, bloating, diarrhea, constipation, nausea;

• a seizure;

• trouble concentrating; or

• cold sweats, skin irritation.

Common side effects of praziquantel may include:

• general ill feeling;

• headache, dizziness;

• nausea, stomach discomfort;

• fever; or

• rash.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Sometimes it is not safe to use certain medications at the same time. Some drugs can affect your blood levels of other drugs you take, which may increase side effects or make the medications less effective.

Many drugs can affect praziquantel, and some drugs should not be used at the same time. Tell your doctor about all your current medicines and any medicine you start or stop using. This includes prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Not all possible interactions are listed here.

Keep all appointments with your doctor.

Do not let anyone else take your medication. Your prescription is probably not refillable. If you still have symptoms of infection after you finish the praziquantel, call your doctor.

It is important for you to keep a written list of all of the prescription and nonprescription (over-the-counter) medicines you are taking, as well as any products such as vitamins, minerals, or other dietary supplements. You should bring this list with you each time you visit a doctor or if you are admitted to a hospital. It is also important information to carry with you in case of emergencies.