MSD Manual

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Professional Version

Praziquantel and Epsiprantel

By

Jozef Vercruysse

, DVM, Ghent University;


Edwin Claerebout

, DVM, PhD, DEVPC, Laboratory of Parasitology, Department of Translational Physiology, Infectiology and Public Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Belgium

Reviewed/Revised Sep 2014 | Modified Nov 2022

Praziquantel and epsiprantel are closely related analogues that have high efficacy against cestode parasites at relatively low dose rates but no effect on nematodes.

Praziquantel PO is highly effective against cestodes of ruminants (eg, Moniezia spp, Stilesia), horses (Anoplocephala perfoliata), dogs, cats, and poultry. The PO (5 mg/kg), SC (5.8 mg/kg), or spot-on (cats, 12 mg/kg) administration of praziquantel in dogs and cats is 100% effective against Dipylidium caninum, Taenia spp, and Echinococcus spp (both adult and immature forms). Praziquantel at a dosage of 40 mg/kg is also effective against Schistosoma infections in cattle (and people).

Epsiprantel (2.75–5.5 mg/kg, PO, once) is used specifically to treat the common tapeworms of dogs and cats, including adult E granulosus.

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