Key Facts
- Drug Class
- Anthelmintic (antischistosomal)
- Prescription
- Over the counter
- NAFDAC Status
- NAFDAC Registered
- Forms
- Tablet
- Price Range
- ₦500 - ₦3,500
- WHO Essential
- Yes
What is Praziquantel?
Praziquantel is the main medicine used to treat schistosomiasis — known in Nigeria as bilharzia — one of the most common parasitic diseases in the country. Schistosomiasis is caught from contact with fresh water (rivers, streams, dams, and ponds) that contains the tiny larvae of blood flukes, which burrow through the skin during swimming, fishing, farming, or fetching water. Praziquantel is also used against tapeworms and other flatworm infections.
The disease is a major problem across many Nigerian communities, especially among children, and it can quietly cause blood in the urine, tiredness, poor growth, and — over years — serious damage to the bladder, kidneys, liver, and other organs. Because it is so widespread, praziquantel is distributed in school-based and community deworming campaigns, often given as a single treatment to whole groups of children at once.
Praziquantel works by paralysing the worms and damaging their protective outer layer, so the body's defences can destroy them. It is usually taken as a single dose (or a few doses in one day), dosed by body weight, and it is generally very effective. Side effects are usually mild and short-lived. As with all medicines, buy praziquantel from a licensed pharmacy and check for a NAFDAC registration number, or receive it through the official community programme.
What is Praziquantel used for?
In Nigeria, Praziquantel is commonly used for:
- Schistosomiasis (bilharzia) — the main use in Nigeria
- Mass deworming of schoolchildren in endemic communities
- Tapeworm infections (including beef, pork, and fish tapeworms)
- Liver fluke and other flatworm (trematode) infections
- Some cases of neurocysticercosis, under specialist care
Dosage
IMPORTANT
Always follow your doctor's or pharmacist's instructions. The information below is for general reference only.
Adults
Praziquantel is dosed by body weight. For schistosomiasis a common dose is 40mg per kg as a single dose (sometimes split into two doses on the same day); for some other worms 25mg/kg doses are used. Tablets are taken with water during or after a meal, and should be swallowed quickly without chewing because they are bitter. In community campaigns, a simple height or weight guide is used to decide the number of tablets.
Children
Given by weight in the same way, and widely used in school-age children through mass-treatment programmes; used in younger children on medical advice.
Elderly
Standard weight-based dosing.
Take the full weight-based dose, usually in a single day, with food. The tablets are very bitter, so swallow them quickly with water rather than chewing. Mild dizziness or drowsiness can occur, so it is sensible not to drive right after taking it. If you have been treated for bilharzia, avoid re-infection by avoiding contact with untreated fresh water where possible. Anyone with a suspected brain cyst infection (neurocysticercosis) must only be treated under specialist supervision.
Side Effects
Common side effects
- •Abdominal pain or discomfort, sometimes with nausea
- •Dizziness, drowsiness, or headache
- •Tiredness or a general unwell feeling
- •Mild fever
- •Hives or itching (partly from the reaction to dying worms)
Serious side effects — seek medical help immediately
- Severe allergic reaction: swelling of the face or throat, difficulty breathing
- In brain infections (neurocysticercosis), reactions from dying parasites in the brain — which is why specialist care is needed
- High fever or a severe skin reaction
When to see a doctor
Most side effects are mild and settle quickly. Seek care for a severe allergic reaction, for a high fever or severe rash, or if you have headaches, fits, or vision problems after treatment (which could suggest the parasite has affected the brain and needs specialist care). If bilharzia symptoms such as blood in the urine continue after treatment, see a health worker.
Warnings & Precautions
Do not take Praziquantel if you have:
- Do not use if you are allergic to praziquantel
- Ocular (eye) cysticercosis — praziquantel should not be used, as the reaction can damage the eye
- Neurocysticercosis (brain cysts) must only be treated under specialist supervision, not self-treated
- Avoid alcohol around the time of treatment
- Use with care in significant liver disease
Drug interactions
- •Rifampicin (a TB medicine) can greatly reduce praziquantel levels and make it ineffective — they should generally not be used together
- •Some anti-seizure medicines (such as carbamazepine and phenytoin) and steroids (dexamethasone) can lower praziquantel levels
- •Cimetidine and grapefruit juice can raise praziquantel levels
- •Tell your doctor about all medicines you take
Pregnancy & Breastfeeding
Praziquantel is considered acceptable in pregnancy when treatment is needed, and the WHO supports treating pregnant and breastfeeding women in areas where schistosomiasis is common, because the disease itself is harmful. Even so, it is best to tell a health worker if you are pregnant or breastfeeding so the timing and need for treatment can be considered. Brief interruption of breastfeeding is sometimes advised around the doses.
Brands of Praziquantel in Nigeria
The NAFDAC registry holds 6 Praziquantel products from 6 manufacturers, including combination products and older listings whose status you can check in the full list. Below are some of the most common brands — see the full, searchable list for all of them.
| Brand Name | Manufacturer | Strength | Form |
|---|---|---|---|
| Biltricide | Bayer | 600mg | Tablet |
| Distocide | Shin Poong | 600mg | Tablet |
| Praziquantel | Various generic manufacturers | 600mg | Tablet |
How to Verify Your Praziquantel is Genuine
- 1Buy praziquantel from a licensed pharmacy, or receive it through the official community deworming programme
- 2Check the NAFDAC registration number on the pack and verify it on the NAFDAC Green Book or app
- 3Check the expiry date and that the packaging is sealed and untampered
- 4Genuine tablets should be uniform; discard any that look irregular
- 5Confirm the strength (usually 600mg) so the weight-based dose is correct
- 6For bilharzia, a health worker can confirm the diagnosis and correct dose rather than guessing
Praziquantel Price in Nigeria
Praziquantel prices in Nigeria typically range from ₦500 to ₦3,500 per pack, depending on the brand, strength, and where you buy it.
₦500 – ₦3,500
per pack
Prices vary by location and vendor. Last updated: 2026-07-18
Where to Buy
Purchase Praziquantel only from licensed pharmacies and verified distributors. Avoid buying medicines from unverified sources, roadside vendors, or unregistered market stalls.
Before you buy, verify the product's NAFDAC registration and check the current online prices above so you know a fair price before you pay.
Buying Praziquantel in bulk or for resale? Our guide on how to buy medicines in bulk in Nigeria safely covers verifying a supplier and spotting fakes before a large order.
Need Praziquantel in bulk, or can't find it near you?
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Related Resources for Praziquantel
Guides, articles, and tools related to Praziquantel and other antiparasitics medicines in Nigeria.
Frequently Asked Questions
Sources
- •NAFDAC Greenbook — the official database of all products registered with Nigeria's National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control. Brand-level NAFDAC numbers for Praziquantel on this page were cross-referenced against the Greenbook.
- •WHO Model List of Essential Medicines — Praziquantel is included in the WHO's list of essential medicines, meaning it is considered essential for basic healthcare needs.
- •British National Formulary (BNF) dosing and interaction guidance for Praziquantel.
- •Nigerian Standard Treatment Guidelines (Federal Ministry of Health).