Niclosamide (Oral)

Brand name(s): Niclocide

Proper Use of This Medicine

No special preparations or additional steps (for example, special diets, fasting, other medicines, laxatives, or enemas) are necessary before, during, or immediately after taking niclosamide.

Niclosamide may be taken on an empty stomach (either 1 hour before or 2 hours after a meal). However, to prevent stomach upset, it is best taken after a light meal (for example, breakfast).

Niclosamide tablets should be thoroughly chewed or crushed and then swallowed with a small amount of water. If this medicine is being given to a young child, the tablets should be crushed to a fine powder and mixed with a small amount of water to form a paste.

For patients taking this medicine for beef tapeworms or broad or fish tapeworms:

• To help clear up your infection completely, take this medicine exactly as directed by your doctor. Usually one dose is enough. However, in some patients a second dose of this medicine may be required to clear up the infection completely.

For patients taking this medicine for dwarf tapeworms :

• To help clear up your infection completely, keep taking this medicine for the full time of treatment (usually 7 days) , even if your symptoms begin to clear up after a few days. In some patients, a second course of this medicine may be required to clear up the infection completely. If you stop taking this medicine too soon, your infection may return. Do not miss any doses. Some patients with tapeworm infections may not notice any symptoms or may have only mild symptoms.

Dosing-

The dose of niclosamide will be different for different patients. Follow your doctor's orders or the directions on the label. The following information includes only the average doses of niclosamide. If your dose is different, do not change it unless your doctor tells you to do so.

The number of doses you take each day, the time allowed between doses, and the length of time you take the medicine depend on the medical problem for which you are taking niclosamide.

• For oral dosage form (tablets):
  • For fish tapeworm or beef tapeworm:
    • Adults-2 grams as a single dose. Treatment may be repeated in seven days if needed.
    • Children-Dose is based on body weight and must be determined by your doctor.
      • For children weighing 11 to 34 kilograms (kg) (24.2 to 74.8 pounds): 1 gram as a single dose. Treatment may be repeated in seven days if needed.
      • For children weighing over 34 kg (74.8 pounds): 1.5 grams as a single dose. Treatment may be repeated in seven days if needed.
  • For dwarf tapeworm:
    • Adults-2 grams a day for seven days. Treatment may be repeated in seven to fourteen days if needed.
    • Children-Dose is based on body weight and must be determined by your doctor.
      • For children weighing 11 to 34 kg (24.2 to 74.8 pounds): 1 gram on the first day. Then 500 milligrams (mg) once a day for the next six days. Treatment may be repeated in seven to fourteen days if needed.
      • For children weighing over 34 kg (74.8 pounds): 1.5 grams on the first day. Then 1 gram once a day for the next six days. Treatment may be repeated in seven to fourteen days if needed.

Missed dose-

If you miss a dose of this medicine, take it as soon as possible. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not double doses.

Storage-

To store this medicine:

• Keep out of the reach of children.
• Store away from heat and direct light.
• Do not store in the bathroom, near the kitchen sink, or in other damp places. Heat or moisture may cause the medicine to break down.
• Do not keep outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed. Be sure that any discarded medicine is out of the reach of children.

Last Revised: 06/23/1995

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