Kipengele K,

Bpharm

Basic Pharmacology
NTA Level 4 Semester 2

2020
1
 Kipengele K,
Bpharm

Description of Anti-schistosomals

Session 11
 Learning Tasks
By the end of this session students are expected to
be able to:
• List indications of anti-schistosomals
• List contraindications of anti-schistosomals
• Describe dose, dosage and course of anti-
schistosomals
• List side effects and adverse effects of anti-
schistosomals
• Describe interactions and precautions of anti-
schistosomals
 Indications of Anti-schistosomals

• Schistosomiasis, also known as snail fever and

bilharzia, is a disease caused by parasitic flatworms
called fluke Schistosome.
• Praziquantel is the only drug used in treatment of
schistosomiasis in Tanzania
• Praziquantel is used in treatment of the common
species found in Tanzania which are S.
haematobium and S. mansoni
 Contraindications of Anti-schistosomals

• Praziquantel is contraindicated in ocular

cysticercosis, as parasite destruction in the
eye may cause irreparable damage
 Dose, Dosage and Course of
Antischistosomiasis Drugs
Praziquantel
• 40mg – 60mg/kg body weight as a single
dose
Or
• Three doses of 20mg/kg body weight at
an interval of 4 to 6 hours for one day
 Side Effects and Adverse Effects of
Antischistosomiasis Drugs
Mild and transient adverse effects are common; they
begin within several hours after ingestion and may
persist for hours to one day:
• Most frequent are headache, dizziness, drowsiness,
and lassitude; others include nausea, vomiting,
abdominal pain, loose stools, pruritus, urticaria,
arthralgia, myalgia, and low-grade fever
• Mild and transient elevations of liver enzymes have
been reported
• Several days after starting Praziquantel, low-grade
fever, pruritus and skin rashes (macular and urticarial)
 Interactions and Precautions of
Antischistosomals
• Because the drug induces dizziness and
drowsiness, patients should not drive
during therapy and should be warned
regarding activities requiring particular
physical coordination or alertness
• Some workers also caution against use of
the drug in spinal neurocysticercosis
 Key Points
 Schistosomiasis is caused by the fluke
schistosome
 Drug of choice is called Praziquantel
 Praziquantel is contraindicated in ocular
cysticercosis
 Self evaluation
• What are the indications of anti-
schistosomals?
• What are the contraindications of anti-
schistosomals?
• What are the dose, dosage and course of
anti-schistosomals?
• What are side effects and adverse effects of
anti-schistosomals?