The treatment for liver fluke (fascioliasis)
Triclabendazole
A medicine used as the treatment for liver fluke (fascioliasis), and also for paragonimiasis.
What is Triclabendazole?
Triclabendazole is a medicine used to treat fluke infections. It is the main treatment for liver fluke (fascioliasis), an infection caught from contaminated water plants or water, and it is also used for paragonimiasis, a lung fluke infection. It is taken by mouth with food, which helps it work. As the flukes die, people can get temporary tummy pain, sometimes a colicky pain in the bile ducts (biliary colic), and sweating, which usually settle. It is generally a short course and is prescribed with specialist or tropical-medicine advice.
Education and reference only. This is a plain-language guide to Triclabendazole — it deliberately contains no doses. Doses depend on the person, the brand and the reason for treatment, and belong with your prescriber. Always check the BNF, the product labelling (SmPC) and follow medical advice.
What it is
Triclabendazole is an anti-fluke medicine. Its main use is to treat liver fluke (fascioliasis), an infection caused by a flatworm parasite that people can catch by eating contaminated watercress or other water plants, or drinking contaminated water; the parasite settles in the liver and bile ducts. It is also used to treat paragonimiasis, an infection of the lungs caused by a different fluke. It is taken by mouth, usually as a short course. Because these are uncommon parasitic infections, it is generally prescribed with specialist or tropical-medicine input.
How it works
Triclabendazole acts against the fluke parasites, interfering with their structure and the way they work so that they are killed and can then be cleared from the body. For liver fluke, this means tackling the parasite in the liver and bile ducts; for paragonimiasis, it targets the fluke affecting the lungs. As the flukes die and are cleared, the body can react, which is why symptoms such as tummy pain or biliary colic can appear for a short time during or after treatment. Taking the medicine with food helps it be absorbed so it can do its job.
Company & origin
Originated / developed by: Specialist manufacturer.
A medicine used in the UK as the main treatment for liver fluke (fascioliasis), and also for the lung fluke infection paragonimiasis.
Practical use
How to take Triclabendazole
General, dose-free guidance — always follow your prescriber's and the leaflet's specific instructions.
- Take it by mouth with food, usually a meal, as this helps it be absorbed and work properly.
- Take the short course exactly as prescribed, even if you start to feel better.
- Expect some temporary tummy pain, sweating or feeling off as the flukes die; this usually settles.
- Report severe or persistent pain, especially colicky pain under the right ribs, to your prescriber.
- Tell your prescriber about other medicines and any liver or bile-duct problems before starting.
Weighing it up
Advantages & disadvantages of Triclabendazole
Advantages
- The main and effective treatment for liver fluke (fascioliasis).
- Also treats the lung fluke infection paragonimiasis.
- Usually given as a short course taken by mouth.
Disadvantages
- Can cause temporary tummy pain or biliary colic as the flukes die.
- Can cause sweating and feeling generally unwell during treatment.
- Used for uncommon infections, so it usually needs specialist diagnosis and guidance.
Practical use
Good to know
A helpful thing to know about triclabendazole is that taking it with food improves how well it is absorbed, so it should be taken with a meal. It is usually a short course rather than a long-term medicine. As the flukes die, it is common to get temporary tummy pain, sometimes a colicky pain under the right ribs from the bile ducts (biliary colic), along with sweating and feeling generally off; these reactions are part of the parasites being cleared and usually settle, but troublesome or severe pain should be reported. Because liver fluke and paragonimiasis are uncommon infections, treatment is usually guided by a specialist who can confirm the diagnosis and check the response. Tell your prescriber about your other medicines and any liver or bile-duct problems.
Who should not take it / use with caution
- People who have had a serious allergic reaction to triclabendazole should not take it.
- It is used with care in people with liver or bile-duct problems, under medical guidance.
- It is used in pregnancy only when the specialist judges the benefits outweigh the risks.
Monitoring
- Reviewing how the infection responds to treatment.
- Watching for and managing tummy or biliary pain as the flukes die.
- Checking liver and bile-duct symptoms where relevant.
Side effects
- Tummy pain, including colicky pain in the bile ducts (biliary colic), as the flukes die.
- Sweating, headache or feeling generally unwell during or after treatment.
- Nausea or other stomach upset.
- Rarely, more troublesome reactions, which should be reported to the prescriber.
Key interactions
- Tell your prescriber about all your medicines, as some can affect how it works or is handled by the body.
- Care may be needed with medicines that affect the heart's rhythm, so give a full medicines list.
- Specialist advice guides its use alongside other treatments for the same or related infections.
Available as: Tablets taken by mouth with food.
Answers
Triclabendazole: frequently asked questions
What is triclabendazole used for?
It is the main treatment for liver fluke (fascioliasis) and is also used for paragonimiasis, a lung fluke infection.
Why should I take it with food?
Taking it with food, usually a meal, helps the medicine be absorbed so it can work against the flukes properly.
Why do I get tummy pain during treatment?
As the flukes die and are cleared, the body can react with temporary tummy pain, sometimes colicky pain in the bile ducts; this usually settles.
How long do I take it for?
It is usually a short course; take it exactly as prescribed and finish it even if you feel better.
Do I need a specialist?
Liver fluke and paragonimiasis are uncommon, so treatment is usually guided by a specialist who confirms the diagnosis and checks the response.
Authoritative sources
- BNF
- NICE CKS
Building a medicines information resource?
We create evidence-led, dose-free drug and formulary references for teams.