Biltricide Side Effects

Generic Name: praziquantel

Please note - some side effects for Biltricide may not be reported. Always consult your doctor or healthcare specialist for medical advice. You may also report side effects to the FDA at http://www.fda.gov/medwatch/ or 1-800-FDA-1088 (1-800-332-1088).

Side Effects of Biltricide - for the Consumer

Biltricide

All medicines may cause side effects, but many people have no, or minor, side effects. Check with your doctor if any of these most COMMON side effects persist or become bothersome when using Biltricide:

Dizziness; general feeling of being unwell; headache; nausea; stomach upset.

Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue); bloody diarrhea; fever; seizures; severe or persistent vomiting; slow or irregular heartbeat.

Side Effects by Body System

Gastrointestinal

Gastrointestinal side effects have been reported by up to 90% of patients treated. Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal pain frequently occur. A syndrome of severe abdominal pain and bloody diarrhea is reported less frequently during the treatment of schistosomiasis.

Nervous system

Nervous system side effects have been reported the most frequently. These have included drowsiness, dizziness, and headache. The treatment of neurocysticercosis with praziquantel may precipitate a cerebral inflammatory reaction in response to antigenic substances produced by dying cysts.

The inflammatory reaction produced by antigenic substances released from dying cysts frequently involves increased intracranial pressure, seizures, severe headaches, nausea, and vomiting. In areas where Taenia solium is endemic, these reactions may occur as the result of undiagnosed cysticercosis in patients being treated for other parasitic infections. Corticosteroids are helpful in controlling this reaction, and the dosage needs to be tailored to the patient's individual needs. Corticosteroids may need to be continued past praziquantel therapy, as the duration of the reaction differs among patients. Delayed reactions have been reported.

Other

Other adverse effects have included transient edema and fever.

Musculoskeletal

Musculoskeletal side effects have included musculoskeletal aches and fatigue.

Dermatologic

A 13-year-old male developed Mazzotti reaction after treatment with ivermectin, praziquantel, and albendazole for presumptive schistosomiasis and strongyloidiasis. Six days after receiving standard empiric therapy, he developed epigastric pain, vomiting, and urticaria. This progressed in 4 hours and included fever, general myalgia and edema of the face, lower extremities and penis accompanied by urticaria of the arms, legs, and trunk. He was diagnosed with a Mazzotti reaction and treated with methylprednisolone and the symptoms subsided within 12 hours.

Dermatologic side effects have included pruritus and urticaria. At least one case of Mazzotti-like reaction has been reported.

Disclaimer: Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided is accurate, up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. In addition, the drug information contained herein may be time sensitive and should not be utilized as a reference resource beyond the date hereof. This information does not endorse drugs, diagnose patients, or recommend therapy. This drug information is a reference resource designed as supplement to, and not a substitute for, the expertise, skill , knowledge, and judgement of healthcare practitioners in patient care. The absence of a warning for a given drug or drug combination in no way should be construed to indicate that the drug of drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for any given patient. Drugs.com does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information provided. The information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. If you have questions about the drugs you are taking, check with your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist.