# Praziquantel in Nigeria - Source: https://ogbogwu.com/drugs/praziquantel/ - Drug class: Anthelmintic (antischistosomal) (Antiparasitics) - Also known as: Biltricide, Distocide, Praziten - Prescription required: no - On the WHO Model List of Essential Medicines - Last updated: July 2026 ## Price in Nigeria Praziquantel prices in Nigeria vary by brand, strength, and where you buy it. Confirm the current price with a licensed pharmacy, and always check the product is NAFDAC-registered before you pay. ## 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? - 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 Always follow a doctor's or pharmacist's instructions; this is general reference information. - 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: 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 (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 Do not take if: 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. 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 in Nigeria Well-known NAFDAC-registered brands: Biltricide (Bayer, made in Germany); Distocide (Shin Poong, made in South Korea). Full searchable brand list: https://ogbogwu.com/drugs/praziquantel/brands/ ## How to verify it is genuine 1. Buy praziquantel from a licensed pharmacy, or receive it through the official community deworming programme 2. Check the NAFDAC registration number on the pack and verify it on the NAFDAC Green Book or app 3. Check the expiry date and that the packaging is sealed and untampered 4. Genuine tablets should be uniform; discard any that look irregular 5. Confirm the strength (usually 600mg) so the weight-based dose is correct 6. For bilharzia, a health worker can confirm the diagnosis and correct dose rather than guessing Verify any NAFDAC number free (no login): https://ogbogwu.com/nafdac-checker/ ## FAQs ### What is praziquantel used for in Nigeria? Its main use is to treat schistosomiasis — known locally as bilharzia — a very common parasitic disease caught from contact with fresh water such as rivers, streams, and dams. Bilharzia can cause blood in the urine, tiredness, poor growth in children, and long-term damage to the bladder, kidneys, and liver if untreated. Praziquantel is also used for tapeworms and other flatworm infections. Because bilharzia is so widespread, especially in children, praziquantel is often given in school and community mass-treatment campaigns. ### How is praziquantel taken for bilharzia? It is usually taken as a single dose (sometimes split into two doses on the same day), calculated by body weight — commonly 40mg for every kilogram you weigh. The tablets are swallowed with water during or after a meal. They are very bitter, so it is best to swallow them quickly and not chew them. Mild dizziness, drowsiness, stomach upset, or headache can follow but usually pass quickly. In community programmes, trained distributors use a simple height or weight chart to decide how many tablets each person needs. ### Can I prevent bilharzia after treatment? Yes — treatment clears the current infection, but you can be re-infected if you go back into contaminated fresh water. Bilharzia larvae live in slow-moving or still fresh water and enter through the skin. Where possible, avoid swimming, wading, or washing in untreated rivers, streams, ponds, and dams in areas where bilharzia is common; use safe (treated or borehole) water for washing and household use; and get re-treated if symptoms such as blood in the urine return. Community-wide treatment plus safe water and sanitation is how the disease is controlled. ### How much does praziquantel cost, and do I need a prescription? Praziquantel is inexpensive — typically a few hundred to a few thousand naira for a course — and it is often provided free to schoolchildren and communities through official deworming campaigns. It is widely available in pharmacies. While it can be bought over the counter, it is best to confirm the diagnosis and the correct weight-based dose with a pharmacist or health worker, particularly for children, and to buy only the genuine, NAFDAC-registered product. ## Sources - NAFDAC Greenbook (official register of approved products in Nigeria) - WHO Model List of Essential Medicines - British National Formulary (BNF) - Nigerian Standard Treatment Guidelines (Federal Ministry of Health)