The Basics
What is Praziquantel?
Used to treat schistosoma (infection with a type of worm that lives in the bloodstream) and liver fluke (infection with a type of worm that lives in or near the liver).
Brand names for Praziquantel
Biltricide
How Praziquantel is classified
Anthelmintics, Antiparasitic Agents
Praziquantel During Pregnancy
Praziquantel pregnancy category
Category BNote that the FDA has deprecated the use of pregnancy categories, so for some medications, this information isn’t available. We still think it’s useful to list historical info, however, given what a common proxy this has been in the past.
What we know about taking Praziquantel while pregnant
Reproduction studies have been performed in rats and rabbits at doses up to 40 times the human dose and have revealed no evidence of impaired fertility or harm to the fetus due to praziquantel. There are, however, no adequate and well-controlled studies in pregnant women. An increase of the abortion rate was found in rats at three times the single human therapeutic dose. While animal reproduction studies are not always predictive of human response, this drug should be used during pregnancy only if clearly needed.
Taking Praziquantel While Breastfeeding
What are recommendations for lactation if you're taking Praziquantel?
Because of the minute levels of praziquantel in breastmilk, amounts ingested by the infant are small and would not be expected to cause any adverse effects in breastfed infants. Expert opinion holds that lactation should not be a contraindication to maternal treatment with praziquantel.[1][2][3] To minimize infant exposure, a single dose can be taken just before the infant’s longest sleep period or an alternate method of feeding (e.g., stored milk) can be used for 24 to 36 hours after a single dose or the last of a series of doses.[4]
Maternal / infant drug levels
Because of the minute levels of praziquantel in breastmilk, amounts ingested by the infant are small and would not be expected to cause any adverse effects in breastfed infants. Expert opinion holds that lactation should not be a contraindication to maternal treatment with praziquantel.[1][2][3] To minimize infant exposure, a single dose can be taken just before the infant’s longest sleep period or an alternate method of feeding (e.g., stored milk) can be used for 24 to 36 hours after a single dose or the last of a series of doses.[4]
Possible effects of Praziquantel on milk supply
Relevant published information was not found as of the revision date.
Possible alternatives to Praziquantel
None listed
List of References
Lactation sources: Drugs and Lactation Database (LactMed) [Internet]. Bethesda (MD): National Library of Medicine (US); 2006-. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK501922/1. Olds GR. Administration of praziquantel to pregnant and lactating women. Acta Tropica. 2003;86:185-95. PMID: 12745136
2. Allen HE, Crompton DW, de Silva N et al. New policies for using anthelmintics in high risk groups. Trends Parasitol. 2002;18:381-2. PMID: 12377247
3. Friedman JF, Olveda RM, Mirochnick MH et al. Praziquantel for the treatment of schistosomiasis during human pregnancy. Bull World Health Organ . 2018;96:59-65. PMID: 29403101
4. Porto I. Antiparasitic drugs and lactation: focus on anthelmintics, scabicides, and pediculicides. J Hum Lact. 2003;19:421-5. PMID: 14620457
5. Putter J, Held F. Quantitative studies on the occurrence of praziquantel in milk and plasma of lactating women. Eur J Drug Metab Pharmacokinet. 1979;4:193-8. PMID: 575330
6. DiLeo MD, Brown RD, Wilson JT. Praziquantel transfer into human breast milk: simultaneous resolution of plasma and breast milk data by nonlinear regression analysis. J Clin Pharmacol. 1988;28:942. Abstract.
Disclaimer: This material is provided for educational purposes only and is not intended for medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Consult your healthcare provider with any questions.
