Health Dictionary
Reliable, easy-to-read patient information on common medical conditions — written in plain language, free of jargon, and grounded in current evidence. Browse the most frequent diagnoses, understand what they mean for everyday life, and learn which steps and questions help you have a focused conversation with your doctor.
Paragonimus infection medical therapy
Introduction
Overview
Overview
Praziquantel is the drug of choice to treat paragonimiasis. Bithionol is an alternative drug for treatment of this disease.
Medical Therapy
Medical Therapy
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.
Antimicrobial Regimen
- 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
Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]