MDose · Veterinary drug reference
PRAZIQUANTEL
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One selection filters the source overview, clinical facts, reports and dose calculator. Literature references are not species-filtered.
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Source overview
Recorded excerpts for one species. Each dose remains a separate source entry; no regimen is selected.
Choose one species to view its source overview. All-species evidence remains available below.
View full clinical evidence and sources ↓Clinical evidence
Pending clinical review (PROPOSED)Rule-based (RULE_BASED)— applies to the facts and dose entries in this species selection; individual source records retain their own status.
Indications2
Dipylidium caninum, Taenia pisiformis, Echinococcus granulosus (and E. multilocularis)
DogOn-label (ON_LABEL)1 source record · View provenance
- Dog · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 992–994; Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs (Papich), 4th ed., p. 663–664 — Indications table · Not applicable · On-label (ON_LABEL) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
Original excerpt: Dipylidium caninum, Taenia pisiformis, Echinococcus granulosus (and E. multilocularis) — FDA-approved (labeled)
- Dog · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 992–994; Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs (Papich), 4th ed., p. 663–664 — Indications table · Not applicable · On-label (ON_LABEL) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
Dipylidium caninum, Taenia taeniaeformis
CatOn-label (ON_LABEL)1 source record · View provenance
- Cat · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 992–994; Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs (Papich), 4th ed., p. 663–664 — Indications table · Not applicable · On-label (ON_LABEL) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
Original excerpt: Dipylidium caninum, Taenia taeniaeformis — FDA-approved (labeled)
- Cat · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 992–994; Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs (Papich), 4th ed., p. 663–664 — Indications table · Not applicable · On-label (ON_LABEL) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
Dose regimens6
This calculator performs arithmetic only on the sourced dosing field shown for each result — it does not verify the field's accuracy, does not select which field to use for a patient, and does not replace a veterinarian's order. Not for clinical use. Confirm every result against the primary source before dispensing.
Choose one species above to view its dose calculator.
Adverse effects205
Uncommon overall (oral use) — <5% (dog), <2% (cat)
DogCatNot applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE)2 source records · View provenance
- Dog · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 992–994; Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs (Papich), 4th ed., p. 663–664 — Side Effects / Adverse Effects table · Not applicable · Not applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
- Cat · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 992–994; Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs (Papich), 4th ed., p. 663–664 — Side Effects / Adverse Effects table · Not applicable · Not applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
Anorexia, vomiting, lethargy, diarrhea (oral) — Uncommon
DogNot applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE)1 source record · View provenance
- Dog · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 992–994; Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs (Papich), 4th ed., p. 663–664 — Side Effects / Adverse Effects table · Not applicable · Not applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
Pain at injection site, drowsiness, staggering gait (injectable) — More common than with oral form
DogNot applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE)1 source record · View provenance
- Dog · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 992–994; Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs (Papich), 4th ed., p. 663–664 — Side Effects / Adverse Effects table · Not applicable · Not applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
Salivation, diarrhea, weakness, transient anorexia (injectable) — ~9.4% of cats in field trials
CatNot applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE)1 source record · View provenance
- Cat · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 992–994; Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs (Papich), 4th ed., p. 663–664 — Side Effects / Adverse Effects table · Not applicable · Not applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
These are counts of spontaneously reported events, not proven adverse effects, causal relationships, or incidence rates.
Bars compare report counts within each species; they do not show incidence.
More reportsFewer reportsDog
- Vomiting15,638 reports
- Lack of efficacy (endoparasite) - heartworm8,774 reports
- Diarrhoea5,549 reports
- Lack of efficacy (endoparasite) - hookworm4,096 reports
- Lethargy (see also Central nervous system depression in 'Neurological')4,087 reports
- INEFFECTIVE, HOOKS3,112 reports
- INEFFECTIVE, HEARTWORM LARVAE2,174 reports
- Other abnormal test result NOS2,051 reports
- Lack of efficacy (endoparasite) - tapeworm1,863 reports
- Emesis1,485 reports
- Lack of efficacy (endoparasite) - roundworm NOS1,473 reports
- Emesis (multiple)1,418 reports
Cat
- Hypersalivation1,636 reports
- Vomiting1,595 reports
- Application site alopecia1,497 reports
- Ataxia1,224 reports
- Lethargy (see also Central nervous system depression in 'Neurological')1,052 reports
- Lack of efficacy (endoparasite) - tapeworm906 reports
- Anorexia724 reports
- Behavioural disorder NOS694 reports
- Lethargy (see also Central nervous system depression in Neurological)642 reports
- Diarrhoea541 reports
- Application site hair loss514 reports
- Foaming at the mouth485 reports
Monitoring1
Fecal exam to confirm efficacy; reinfection is common with D. caninum given ongoing flea exposure — counsel concurrent flea control
Species not recordedNot applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE)1 source record · View provenance
- Species not recorded · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 992–994; Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs (Papich), 4th ed., p. 663–664 — Monitoring Parameters · Not applicable · Not applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
Contraindications1
Manufacturer: avoid in puppies <4 weeks or kittens <6 weeks (though praziquantel/febantel combo is approved for all ages); hypersensitivity
Species not recordedNot applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE)1 source record · View provenance
- Species not recorded · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 992–994; Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs (Papich), 4th ed., p. 663–664 — Contraindications & Warnings table · Not applicable · Not applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
Precautions4
None major beyond age restriction on monotherapy product
Species not recordedNot applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE)1 source record · View provenance
- Species not recorded · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 992–994; Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs (Papich), 4th ed., p. 663–664 — Contraindications & Warnings table · Not applicable · Not applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
Not effective against most nematodes (roundworms, hookworms) on its own — combination products (Drontal, etc.) exist specifically to broaden spectrum; confirm which product a client is using before assuming coverage.
Species not recordedNot applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE)1 source record · View provenance
- Species not recorded · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 992–994; Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs (Papich), 4th ed., p. 663–664 — Clinical pearl · Not applicable · Not applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
Wide margin of safety — one of the best-tolerated anthelmintics in the antiparasitic library.
Species not recordedNot applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE)1 source record · View provenance
- Species not recorded · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 992–994; Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs (Papich), 4th ed., p. 663–664 — Clinical pearl · Not applicable · Not applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
D. caninum reinfection is essentially guaranteed without concurrent flea control, since fleas serve as the intermediate host — pair prescription with a flea-control conversation.
Species not recordedNot applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE)1 source record · View provenance
- Species not recorded · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 992–994; Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs (Papich), 4th ed., p. 663–664 — Clinical pearl · Not applicable · Not applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
Interactions1
Grapefruit juice — ↑ praziquantel AUC 150–200% in dogs (avoid coadministration if practical)
Species not recordedNot applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE)1 source record · View provenance
- Species not recorded · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 992–994; Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs (Papich), 4th ed., p. 663–664 — Drug Interactions table · Not applicable · Not applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
Pharmacokinetics3
Bioavailability — Rapid, near-complete oral absorption but significant first-pass effect
DogNot applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE)1 source record · View provenance
- Dog · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 992–994; Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs (Papich), 4th ed., p. 663–664 — Pharmacokinetics table · Not applicable · Not applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
Metabolism — Hepatic, CYP3A
DogNot applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE)1 source record · View provenance
- Dog · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 992–994; Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs (Papich), 4th ed., p. 663–664 — Pharmacokinetics table · Not applicable · Not applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
Elimination — Primarily renal (metabolites)
DogNot applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE)1 source record · View provenance
- Dog · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 992–994; Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs (Papich), 4th ed., p. 663–664 — Pharmacokinetics table · Not applicable · Not applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
Pregnancy / lactation considerations1
Considered safe in pregnant dogs/cats and during lactation. Human FDA category B. Papich class A. Excreted in milk (~25% of maternal serum concentration) — unlikely to harm nursing offspring.
Species not recordedNot applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE)1 source record · View provenance
- Species not recorded · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 992–994; Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs (Papich), 4th ed., p. 663–664 — Pregnancy & Lactation · Not applicable · Not applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
Literature references12
References are linked to this drug. Species applicability is not recorded here, so the species filter does not narrow this list. Imported dates do not retain their original precision; confirm dates in the original citation.
- Safranal Enhances the Efficacy of Praziquantel Against Schistosoma mansoni Infection and Alleviates Liver Fibrosis, Inflammation and Oxidative Stress in Mice.
Study summary not available in the imported record. Open the original citation to review the study.
- Reinfection dynamics of owned dogs with Echinococcus granulosus sensu lato in endemic rural areas of central Iran: Implications for cystic echinococcosis control.
Study summary not available in the imported record. Open the original citation to review the study.
- The therapeutic potential of green synthesized zinc oxide nanoparticles in murine schistosomiasis.
Study summary not available in the imported record. Open the original citation to review the study.
- Plant-derived anthelmintic agents in veterinary helminth control: Mechanistic insights and translational challenges.
Study summary not available in the imported record. Open the original citation to review the study.
- Correction: 'Variable efficacy of praziquantel among Schistosoma-infected ruminants of northern Senegal-a drug trial and population genetic study across two contrasting epidemiological regions' (2026), by Diaz et al.
Study summary not available in the imported record. Open the original citation to review the study.
Corrected (CORRECTED)
Sources: PubMed, National Library of Medicine; openFDA, U.S. Food and Drug Administration; Plumb DC. Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook. 7th ed. PharmaVet Inc; 2011.
Owner information handout
Plain-language medication information to review with the owner. Open the handout to print it or download a PDF.
Available products
Products listed in the Health Canada Drug Product Database for this active ingredient. A listing does not establish that a product is authorized for the clinical uses described on this page.