| Pronunciation |
 (PI
per a
zeen) |
 |
| Generic Available |
|
Yes |
|
| Synonyms |
| Piperazine Citrate |
|
| Pharmacological Index |
|
Anthelmintic |
|
| Use |
|
Treatment of pinworm and roundworm infections (used as an alternative to first-line agents, mebendazole, or pyrantel pamoate) |
|
| Pregnancy Risk Factor |
|
B |
|
| Contraindications |
|
Seizure disorders, liver or kidney impairment, hypersensitivity to piperazine or any component |
|
| Warnings/Precautions |
|
Use with caution in patients with anemia or malnutrition; avoid prolonged use especially in children |
|
| Adverse Reactions |
|
<1%: Dizziness, vertigo, weakness, seizures, EEG changes, headache, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, hemolytic anemia, visual impairment, hypersensitivity reactions, bronchospasms |
|
| Drug Interactions |
|
Pyrantel pamoate (antagonistic mode of action) |
|
| Mechanism of Action |
|
Causes muscle paralysis of the roundworm by blocking the effects of acetylcholine at the neuromuscular junction |
|
| Pharmacodynamics/Kinetics |
|
Absorption: Well absorbed from GI tract Time to peak serum concentration: 1 hour Elimination: Excreted in urine as metabolites and unchanged drug |
|
| Usual Dosage |
|
Oral: Roundworms: Children: 75 mg/kg/day as a single daily dose for 2 days; maximum: 3.5 g/day Adults: 3.5 g/day for 2 days (in severe infections, repeat course, after a 1-week interval) |
|
| Monitoring Parameters |
|
Stool exam for worms and ova |
|
| Mental Health: Effects on Mental Status |
|
May cause dizziness |
|
| Mental Health: Effects on Psychiatric Treatment |
|
May cause seizures; use caution with high-dose clozapine |
|
| Dental Health: Local Anesthetic/Vasoconstrictor Precautions |
|
No information available to require special precautions |
|
| Dental Health: Effects on Dental Treatment |
|
No effects or complications reported |
|
| Patient Information |
|
Take on empty stomach; if severe or persistent headache, loss of balance or coordination, dizziness, vomiting, diarrhea, or rash occurs, contact physician. If used for pinworm infections, all members of the family should be treated. |
|
| Dosage Forms |
|
Syrup, as citrate: 500 mg/5 mL (473 mL, 4000 mL) Tablet, as citrate: 250 mg |
|
| References |
|
"Drugs for Parasitic Infections," Med Lett Drugs Ther, 1993, 35(911):111-22. |
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