Piperazine
Piperazine is a nematode anthelmintic.
Group
Nematode anthelmintic
Mechanism of Action
Disrupts nematode neuromuscular signaling and causes flaccid paralysis; activity chiefly targets ascarids.
Dose Rates
Dogs
| Use / stage | Dose | Route | Schedule | Instructions |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ascarid infection | 44–66 mg/kg | PO | Once | |
| Ascarid infection | 45–65 mg/kg | PO | Once | Piperazine base. Puppies under 2.5 kg have a 150-mg total ceiling; use that weight-qualified protocol separately. |
| Ascarid infection in small puppies | 45–65 mg/kg | PO | Once | Maximum 150 mg/dose; Piperazine base; puppies under 2.5 kg only. |
Cats
| Use / stage | Dose | Route | Schedule | Instructions |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ascarid infection | 44–66 mg/kg | PO | Once | |
| Ascarid infection | 45–65 mg/kg | PO | Once | Maximum 150 mg/dose; Piperazine base; repeat after 2-3 weeks may be required. |
Horses
| Use / stage | Dose | Route | Schedule | Instructions |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ascarid infection | 110 mg/kg | PO | Give orally in drinking water as the sole water source; repeat schedule is unspecified. | |
| Ascarid infection oral solution | Reference only | PO | Alternative product instruction: 30 mL of 17% solution per 45 kg orally; preserve product basis rather than equating an unspecified salt to base. | |
| Ascarid infection | 110 mg/kg | PO | Once | Explicitly piperazine base; repeat 3-4 weeks. Foal management may use later 10-week intervals. |
Pigs
| Use / stage | Dose | Route | Schedule | Instructions |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ascarid infection | 110 mg/kg | PO | Give orally in drinking water as the sole water source; repeat schedule is unspecified. |
Reptiles
| Use / stage | Dose | Route | Schedule | Instructions |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nematodes | 40–60 mg/kg | PO | Oral amount lacks confirmed salt/base basis; repeat after 2 weeks then fecal examination 14 days later. |
Indications
- Ascarid infection
- Ascarid infection in small puppies
Adverse effects
- Ataxia, tremor and behavioral changes can occur.
Toxicity
Large piperazine exposure can produce weakness, ataxia, fasciculation, altered pupillary responses and respiratory paralysis. Support hydration, ventilation and neurologic status; signs may last several days.
Preparations
| Preparation | Form | Strength | Route |
|---|---|---|---|
| Piperazine 50 mg | Tablet | 50 mg / tablet | PO |
| Piperazine 250 mg | Tablet | 250 mg / tablet | PO |
Monitoring and Administration
Protect oral products from light and assess parasite control response.
Rabbit pinworm reports distinguish piperazine citrate 100 mg/kg orally daily for 2 days from adipate 200-500 mg/kg in adults or 750 mg/kg in young rabbits for 2 days. Rodent/rabbit water protocols use citrate 3 g/L for 2 weeks, or 2-5 mg/mL for 7 days followed by 7 days off and a repeated course. These salt-specific strengths are not equivalent to piperazine base.
Other oral reports list 20-30, 100 or 110 mg/kg without a clear salt basis. Equine 200 mg/kg has age-dependent maxima of 80 g adults, 60 g yearlings and 30 g foals. Poultry 100-500 mg/kg and citrate-specific bird regimens also have uncertain base equivalence; do not widen the explicit base range to include these amounts.