Praziquantel in clonorchiasis sinensis: a further evaluation of 100 cases
Liu, Y.H.; Qiu, Z.D.; Wang, X.G.; Wang, Q.N.; Qu, Z.Q.; Chen, R.X.; Liu, J.B.; Zhang, C.D.; Qin, S.A.
Chinese Medical Journal 95(2): 89-94
1982
ISSN/ISBN: 0366-6999 PMID: 6807619 Document Number: 184139
By increasing the total and individual doses of praziquantel, given 3 times daily, the authors demonstrated that the drug had excellent therapeutic efficacy against clonorchiasis. Cases (100) were randomly allocated into 3 groups, each receiving 10, 12 and 14 mg/kg, tid for 5 days. The total dosages were 150, 180 and 210 mg/kg. At the end of 3 mo., the negative egg turn-over rates were 72.7, 93.9 and 100% and the average egg reduction rates 98.2, 98.8 and 100%. The general clinical condition of patients after treatment also improved. The adverse reactions to praziquantel were mild and transient. All patients completed their therapeutic courses without interruption or prolongation. There were only mild, transient and reversible myocardial effects, as demonstrated by ECG. The therapeutic effect of praziquantel in larger dosages is comparable to hexachloroparaxylol (HCX) and may even be better. Praziquantel causes fewer adverse reactions. No delayed side reactions are observed. If praziquantel can be mass-produced at lower prices, it may replace HCX as the drug of choice in the treatment of clonorchiasis sinensis.