Cimetidine-induced rise in praziquantel levels in a patient with neurocysticercosis being treated with anticonvulsants.
A patient had neurocysticercosis complicated by a seizure disorder requiring anticonvulsants; previous praziquantel therapy (50 mg/kg/day) had failed to eradicate the disease. In an attempt to inhibit cytochrome P-450 metabolism of praziquantel, cimetidine (1600 mg/day) was coadministered. Before addition of cimetidine, the maximum concentration of praziquantel was 350 ng/mL; concurrent cimetidine administration increased the maximum concentration to 826 ng/mL. The elimination half-life increased from 1.7 h without cimetidine to 3.3 h with cimetidine and the area under the curve for the 12-h sampling period rose from 754 ng.h/mL to 3050 ng.h/mL. Coadministration of cimetidine raises serum praziquantel levels and may be helpful in patients treated concomitantly with praziquantel and anticonvulsants.
Dachman
W D
WD
Department of Internal Medicine, Maricopa Medical Center, Phoenix, Arizona.
Adubofour
K O
KO
Bikin
D S
DS
Johnson
C H
CH
Mullin
P D
PD
Winograd
M
M
D000328:Adult; D000927:Anticonvulsants / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001927:Brain Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000469:parasitology; D002927:Cimetidine / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003551:Cysticercosis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011223:Praziquantel / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000627:therapeutic use*
D000927:Anticonvulsants; D011223:Praziquantel; D002927:Cimetidine