Piperazine citrate
Piperazine citrate
Piperazine citrate
(pie- PER-ah-zeen)
Pregnancy Category: B (Rx)

Classification: Anthelmintic

See Also: See also Anthelmintics .

Action/Kinetics: Acts to paralyze the muscles of parasites; this dislodges the parasites and promotes their elimination by peristalsis. Has little effect on larvae in tissues. Readily absorbed from the GI tract, is partially metabolized by the liver, and the remainder is excreted in urine. Rate of elimination differs among clients although it is excreted nearly unchanged in the urine within 24 hr.

Uses: Pinworm (oxyuriasis) and roundworm (ascariasis) infestations. Particularly recommended for pediatric use.

Contraindications: Impaired liver or kidney function, seizure disorders, hypersensitivity. Lactation.

Special Concerns: Safe use during pregnancy has not been established. Due to neurotoxicity, avoid prolonged, repeated, or excessive use in children.

Side Effects: Piperazine has low toxicity. GI: N&V;, diarrhea, cramps. CNS: Tremors, headache, vertigo, decreased reflexes, paresthesias, seizures ataxia, chorea, memory decrement. Ophthalmologic: Nystagmus, blurred vision, cataracts, strabismus. Allergic: Urticaria, fever, skin reactions, purpura, lacrimation, rhinorrhea, arthralgia, bronchospasm cough. Miscellaneous: Muscle weakness.

Laboratory Test Alterations: False - or uric acid values.

Drug Interactions: Concomitant administration of piperazine and phenothiazines may result in an increase in extrapyramidal effects (including violent convulsions) caused by phenothiazines.

How Supplied: Tablet: 250 mg

Dosage
?Syrup, Tablets Pinworms.
Adults and children: 65 mg/kg/day as a single dose for 7 days up to a maximum daily dose of 2.5 g.
Roundworms.
Adults: One dose of 3.5 g/day for 2 consecutive days; pediatric: One dose of 75 mg/kg/day for 2 consecutive days, not to exceed 3.5 g/day. For severe infections, repeat therapy after 1 week.