Paragonimus infection medical therapy

Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]

Praziquantel is the drug of choice to treat paragonimiasis. Bithionol is an alternative drug for treatment of this disease.

Praziquantel is the drug of choice: adult or pediatric dosage, 25 mg/kg given orally 3 times per day for 2 consecutive days.

Alternatives: Triclabendazole (not available in the U.S.), adult or pediatric dosage, 10 mg/kg orally once or twice; or Bithionol: adult or pediatric dosage, 30-50 mg/kg on alternate days for 10-15 doses.

For cerebral disease, a short course of corticosteroids may be given with the praziquantel to help reduce the inflammatory response around dying flukes.

• Preferred regimen (1): Praziquantel 25 mg/kg PO tid for 3 days^[1]
• Preferred regimen (2): Triclabendazole 10 mg/kg PO qd or bid
• Alternative regimen (1): Bithinol 30-50mg/kg PO on alternate days for 10-15 doses
• Alternative regimen (2): Niclosamide 2mg/kg PO single dose

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