ATCvet Code: QP52 AA51
Pharmacotherapeutic Group: Anthelmintics, Praziquantel combinations.
Pharmacodynamics
Pyrantel acts as a cholinergic agonist. Its mode of action is to stimulate nicotinic cholinergic receptors of the parasite, induce spastic paralysis and thereby allow expulsion from the gastrointestinal (GI) system by peristalsis.
Praziquantel is very rapidly absorbed into and distributed throughout the parasite. Both in vivo and in vitro studies have shown that praziquantel causes severe damage to the parasite integument, resulting in contraction and paralysis. There is an almost instantaneous tetanic contraction of the parasite musculature and a rapid vacuolisation of the syncytial tegument. This rapid contraction has been explained by changes in divalent cation fluxes, especially calcium.
In this fixed combination product pyrantel is active against the following ascarids: Toxocara cati and Toxascaris leonina. Praziquantel is effective against tapeworms in particular Dipylidium caninum and Taenia taeniaeformis.
The product has also been shown to be efficacious in the control of hookworms, Ancylostoma tubaeforme and A. braziliense and the tapeworm Joyeuxiella pasqualei, none of which occur naturally in the UK but may occasionally be found in imported animals. Since it contains praziquantel, the product is effective against Echinococcus multilocularis, which does not occur in the UK but is becoming more common in some European countries.
Pharmacokinetics
No data available.