THE PET PHARMACY By Wendy C. Brooks, DVM, DipABVP Educational Director, VeterinaryPartner.com

(for veterinary information only)

Brand Name: Droncit, Profender, Drontal, Drontal Plus 

Available as injectable and 23 mg tablets for cats and 34 mg tablets for dogs, and as a topical dewormer combined with emodepside

How this Medication is Used 

Praziquantel is primarily used against parasites known as cestodes (tapeworms). The common tapeworm of dogs and cats, Dipylidium caninum, is the usual target of this medication although praziquantel is also effective against less common types of tapeworms such as Taenia species and the more dangerous Mesocestoides species and Echinococcus species. Praziquantel is also effective against flukes.

Unlike other dewormers, only a single dose is necessary for this product. Immediate re-infection might take place if there is a heavy, uncontrolled flea problem in the pet’s environment; Dipylidium caninum is contracted when an infected adult flea harboring a tapeworm lava is eaten.

Praziquantel is also available in an oral tablet in combination with the dewormer pyrantel pamoate (Drontal) with or without the additional dewormer febantel (Drontal Plus). This combination allows for a broad spectrum deworming against the tapeworm species listed above, hookworms, roundworms and, if febantel is included, whipworms too. The Drontal products are available for both dogs and cats by prescription.

As of late 2007, praziquantel is also available in a topical combination with the anti-parasite drug emodepside. This combination product is applied to a cat's shoulder area and is effective against the tapeworms of the above types as well as hookworms (Ancylostoma tubaeforme) and roundworms (Toxocara cati). The brand name of this product is Profender; it is manufactured by Bayer Animal Health and is available by prescription. A single dose should clear tapeworm infection although a series of two doses would be needed for the other types of worms.

Praziquantel is available in non-prescription tablets that may be purchased at pet supply store outlets. Brand name products, combination products, and injections are available only through veterinarians as they are prescription drugs.

How this Medication Works 

Praziquantel acts by damaging the parasite's skin internally such that the parasite disintegrates and is removed by the host's immune system. Unlike roundworms, dead tapeworms generally are not seen passing from the host after deworming.

Side Effects 

Injectable praziquantel tends to sting more than most injections and it is not unusual for a pet to scratch at the injection site or cry immediately following injection.

The oral form of praziquantel tastes bitter and approximately 5% of patients taking it experience nausea.

It has been reported that approximately one cat in ten will experience weakness, salivation, or nausea after a tapeworm injection with praziquantel, but we have seen such reactions far less frequently. This is generally of minor significance and resolves on its own.

Cautions and Concerns 

Praziquantel is felt to be safe for use in pregnant patients.

The topical Profender product described above is approved for feline use only and is not approved for kittens less than age 8 weeks.

Fasting is not necessary prior to praziquantel use and oral praziquantel can be given with or without food.

Tablets should be stored at room temperature away from light exposure.

It is our policy not to give dosing information over the Internet.

Date Published: 1/1/2001
Date Reviewed/Revised: 02/05/2010