Index
It belongs to the family of drugs called anthelmintics. Anthelmintics are used to treat worm infections.
Piperazine is used to treat:
- Common nematodes (ascariasis).
- Intestinal worms (enterobiasis, oxyuriasis).
Piperazine works by paralyzing worms.
This product is available in the following dosage forms:
- Tablet.
- Syrup.
Before using
For this drug, the following should be considered:
Allergies
Tell your doctor if you have ever had an unusual or allergic reaction to this medicine or other medicines. Also tell your healthcare professional if you have any other allergies, such as foods, dyes, preservatives, or animals. For non-prescription products, carefully read the label or package ingredients.
Pediatric
Children can be especially sensitive to the effects of piperazine. This can increase the chance of side effects during treatment.
Geriatric
Many medications have not been specifically studied in older people. So it may not be known if they work in exactly the same way as they do in younger adults or if they cause different side effects or problems in older people.
There is no specific information comparing the use of piperazine in the elderly with the use in other age groups.
Drug interactions
Although certain drugs should not be used together, in other cases two different drugs can be used even if an interaction occurs. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary.
Tell your healthcare professional if you are taking any other prescription and non-prescription (over-the-counter) medications.
Other interactions
Certain medications should not be used at or near mealtime, as eating certain types of foods can cause interactions. Using alcohol or tobacco with certain medications can also cause interactions. Talk to your healthcare professional about using your medicine with food, alcohol, or tobacco.
Medical problems
The presence of other medical problems can affect the use of this medicine. Be sure to tell your doctor if you have any other medical problems, especially:
- Renal disease.
- Liver disease : Patients with kidney or liver disease may be more likely to have side effects.
- Seizure disorder, especially a history of epilepsy: Piperazine can make the condition worse.
Appropriate use
No special preparations or other steps (for example, a special diet, fasting, other medications, laxatives, or enemas) are needed before, during, or immediately after taking piperazine.
Piperazine can be taken with or without food or on a full or empty stomach. However, if your doctor tells you to take the drug in a certain way, take it exactly as directed.
For patients taking the granules for piperazine oral solution form:
Dissolve the contents of 1 packet of granules in 57 ml (approximately 2 ounces) of water, milk, or fruit juice. Take this medicine only as directed.
To help clear up your infection completely, take this medication in regularly spaced doses as ordered by your doctor. For some infections, a second treatment with this drug may be required to completely clear the infection. Don’t miss any doses.
For patients taking piperazine for pinworms:
Pinworms can be easily passed from one person to another, especially between people in the same household. Therefore, all family members must be treated at the same time to prevent infection or reinfection.
Dosage
For common roundworms or roundworms:
Adults and adolescents: 2 grams three times a day for one day. Treatment may need to be repeated in two weeks.
In children: based on age and / or body weight. Treatment may need to be repeated in two weeks.
Up to 2 years of age: Your doctor should determine the dose.
2 to 8 years of age: 2 grams once a day for one day.
Ages 8-14 : 2 grams twice a day for one day.
For oral suspension dosage form
For common roundworms or roundworms:
Adults and adolescents: 1.8 grams every four hours for a total of three doses in one day. Treatment may need to be repeated in two weeks.
Up to 2 years of age : 600 milligrams (mg) every four hours for a total of three doses in one day.
2 to 8 years of age: 1.2 grams every six hours for a total of two doses in one day.
Ages 8-14: 1.2 grams every four hours for a total of three doses in one day.
For tablet dosage form
For common roundworms:
Adults and adolescents: 3.5 grams (piperazine hexahydrate) per day for two days in a row. The treatment may need to be repeated in a week.
The dose in children is based on body weight and must be determined by your doctor. However, the usual dose is 75 mg (piperazine hexahydrate) per kilogram (34 mg per pound) of body weight per day for two days in a row. The treatment may need to be repeated in a week.
For pinworms:
Adults and children: the dose is based on body weight and must be determined by your doctor. However, the usual dose is 65 mg (piperazine hexahydrate) per kilogram (29.5 mg per pound) of body weight per day for seven days in a row. The treatment may need to be repeated in a week.
Precautions
It is important that your doctor check your progress after treatment. This is to make sure the infection clears up completely, and to allow your doctor to check for unwanted effects.
If your symptoms do not improve after taking this medicine for the entire treatment, or if they get worse, see your doctor.
For patients taking piperazine for pinworms:
In some patients, pinworms may return after treatment with piperazine. Washing (without shaking) all bedding and pajamas after treatment can help prevent this.
Side effects
Check with your doctor right away if you experience any of the following side effects:
- Blurry vision.
- Tingling of the skin
- Fever.
- Irregular and twisted movement, especially of the face, arms and legs.
- Joint pain
- Skin rash or itching
Some side effects can occur that generally do not require medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine.
Check with your healthcare professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome, or if you have any questions about them:
- Abdominal or stomach cramps or pain.
- Diarrhea.
- Dizziness.
- Drowsiness.
- Headache.
- Muscular weakness.
- Nausea or vomiting
- Tremors
Other unlisted side effects can also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your healthcare professional.
