What are the side effects of praziquantel injections in dogs?

Praziquantel Injection is a clear solution formulated for use in dogs and cats for the removal of tapeworms. Effective against Echinococcus multilocularis in dogs and safe for use in breeding and pregnant dogs and cats. Safe to use: no toxicity demonstrated in dogs or cats at 5x dosage rates and no known contraindications.

Uses

Praziquantel Injection is indicated for the removal of the following canine and/or feline cestodes: Dogs: Dipylidium caninum, Taenia pisiformis, Echinococcus granulosus and for the removal and control of Echinococcus multilocularis. Cats: Taenia taeniaeformis and Dipylidium caninum.

Possible Side Effects

Side effects may include: Brief pain responses, mild vomiting and/or drowsy staggering gait, diarrhea, weakness, vomition, salivation, sleepiness, burning on injection and/or temporary lack of appetite. Local irritation or swelling at the site of subcutaneous injections have been reported.

Drug & Food Interactions

There are no known contraindications to the use of praziquantel.

Ingredients

Contains per mL: Praziquantel 56.8 mg, benzyl alcohol 75 mg, chlorobutanol hydrous 5 mg in propylene glycol q.s.

Precautions

Strict hygienic precautions should be taken when handling dogs or feces suspected of harboring E. multilocularis. Infected dogs treated for the first time with Praziquantel Injection solution and dogs treated at intervals greater than 28 days may shed eggs in the feces after treatment.

Praziquantel, which has been used in the treatment and control of canine and feline tapeworm infections for about 35 years, has not been tested against these parasites for a long period in Turkey. This study was performed to evaluate the current efficacy of praziquantel against dog and cat tapeworms. Praziquantel injectable solution was administered to 26 dogs (14 of them were infected with Dipylidium caninum, 8 with Taenia spp and 2 with Echinococcus granulosus, 2 with both Dipylidium caninum and Taenia spp) and 2 cats (infected with Joyeuxiella pasqualei) subcutaneously at a dose of 0.1 ml/kg (5.68 mg active ingredient/kg). After treatment, animals were put in individual cages and their feces were taken daily for examination. Feces were examined macroscopically for tapeworm segments and scolexes and microscopically for tapeworm eggs by Fülleborn's flotation and Teleman's sedimentation (for fatty stools). To confirm results of analysis the examinations after treatment were repeated until two subsequent fecal analyses were negative. The parasites disappeared from the feces of all infected animals in 2 or 3 days after the treatment and the drug was found to be 100% effective against both dog and cat tapeworms. No adverse reactions were observed in both dogs and cats treated.