Piperazine
Brand Names
PiperazineWhat is Piperazine
Piperazine is a medication that refers to a class of medicines called anthelmintics that used in the treatment of worm infections.
Side effects of Piperazine
Possible side effects caused by this medication are the followings:
- Blurring of vision
- Clumsiness
- Crawling or tingling feeling of the skin
- Fever
- Irregular, twisting movement, especially of the face, arms, and legs
- Joint pain
- Skin rash or itching
- Abdominal or stomach cramps or pain
- Diarrhea
- Dizziness
- Drowsiness
- Headache
- Muscle weakness
- Nausea or vomiting
- Tremors
Indication
Piperazine is intended to treat common roundworms (ascariasis) and pinworms (enterobiasis; oxyuriasis). It works by paralyzing the worms. They are then passed in the stool.
Precautions
Your doctor should check your progress after treatment to make sure that the infection is cleared up completely. If your symptoms do not improve after you have taken piperazine for the full course of treatment, or if they become worse, you should check with your doctor.
In some patients, pinworms may return after treatment with piperazine. Washing (not shaking) all bedding and nightclothes (pajamas) after treatment may help to prevent this.
Dosage forms
Piperazine dose for treating Ascariasis
- Adult: 4.5 g as a single dose repeated once after 14 days.
- Child: As a single dose, repeated once after 14 days. <1 yr: 120 mg/kg (only upon medical advice), 1-3 yr: 1.5 g, 4-5 yr: 2.25 g, 6-8 yr: 3 g, 9-12 yr: 3.75 g
Piperazine dose for treating Enterobiasis
- Adult: 2.25 g once daily for 7 days, 2nd course may be repeated after an interval of 7 days.
- Child: <1 yr: 45-75 mg/kg (only upon medical advice), 1-3 yr: 750 mg, 4-6 yr: 1.125 g, 7-12 yr: 1.5 g, >12 yr: same as adult dose. To be taken once daily for 7 days, 2nd course may be repeated after an interval of 7 days.
