吡喹酮
吡喹酮（，或）為一種用於人類及動物的驅蟲藥，專門治療絛蟲及吸蟲。對於血吸蟲、中華肝吸蟲、廣節裂頭絛蟲特別有效，吡喹酮為世界卫生组织基本药物标准清单上的藥物，為世界上對於基本公共衛生最重要的藥物之一。1970年代由拜耳公司的藥學部研發成功。
吡喹酮可以用於治療人類、哺乳類，以及魚類的寄生蟲病。包含腸胃道或是外部的感染，以下為其適用疾病：
The majority of side effects develop due to the release of the contents of the parasites as they are killed and the consequent host immune reaction. The heavier the parasite burden, the heavier and more frequent the side effects normally are.
The antibiotic rifampicin decreases plasma concentrations of praziquantel.
Carbamazepine and phenytoin are reported to reduce the bioavailability of praziquantel.
Chloroquine reduces the bioavailability of praziquantel.
The drug cimetidine heightens praziquantel bioavailability.
The mode of action is not exactly known at present, but experimental evidence indicates praziquantel increases the permeability of the membranes of schistosome cells towards calcium ions. The drug thereby induces contraction of the parasites, resulting in paralysis in the contracted state. The dying parasites are dislodged from their site of action in the host organism and may enter systemic circulation or may be destroyed by host immune reaction (phagocytosis). Additional mechanisms including focal disintegrations and disturbances of oviposition (laying of eggs) are seen in other types of sensitive parasites.
Another hypothesis concerning the mechanism of action of praziquantel has been recently reported. The drug seems to interfere with adenosine uptake in cultured worms. This effect may have therapeutical relevance given that the schistosome, as the and the " (other praziquantel-sensitive parasites), is unable to synthesize purines such as adenosine "de novo".
Bayer's Animal Health Division website states, "Praziquantel is active against cestodes (tapeworms). Praziquantel is absorbed, metabolized in the liver, and excreted in the bile. Upon entering the digestive tract from the bile, cestocidal activity is exhibited. Following exposure to praziquantel, the tapeworm loses its ability to resist digestion by the mammalian host. Because of this, whole tapeworms, including the scolices (plural of "scolex"), are very rarely passed after administration of praziquantel. In many instances, only disintegrated and partially digested pieces of tapeworms will be seen in the stool. The majority of tapeworms are digested and are not found in the feces."
Praziquantel is administered as a racemate, but only the ("R")-enantiomer is biologically active; the enantiomers may be separated using a resolution of an amine obtained from praziquantel.
Praziquantel is well absorbed (about 80%) from the gastrointestinal tract. However, due to extensive first-pass metabolism, only a relatively small amount enters systemic circulation. Praziquantel has a serum half-life of 0.8 to 1.5 hours in adults with normal renal and liver function. Metabolites have a half-life of 4 to 5 hours. In patients with significantly impaired liver function (Child Pugh classes B ll///d C), the serum half-life is increased to 3 to 8 hours. Praziquantel and its metabolites are mainly excreted renally; within 24 hours after a single oral dose, 70 to 80% is found in urine, but less than 0.1% as the unchanged drug. Praziquantel is metabolized through the cytochrome P450 pathway via CYP3A4. Agents that CYP3A4 such as phenytoin, rifampin, and azole antifungals will affect the metabolism of praziquantel.
Praziquantel has a particularly dramatic effect on patients with schistosomiasis. Studies of those treated have shown that within six months of receiving a dose of praziquantel, up to 90% of the damage done to internal organs due to schistosomiasis infection can be reversed.
Praziquantel was developed in the laboratories for parasitological research of Bayer AG and Merck KGaA in Germany (Elberfeld and Darmstadt) in the mid 1970s. 吡喹酮名列世界卫生组织基本药物标准清单之中, 是世界上对于基本公共卫生最重要的药物之一。
在英国，吡喹酮并未获准在人体上使用。但在必要时可以根据在患者实名的情况下进口。在英国吡喹酮可以作为兽用驱虫药销售。
在美国，吡喹酮被FDA批准用于血吸虫病及肝吸虫病的治疗，尽管它对其他种类的感染也有效。