Doses - PIPERAZINE
Caution: Piperazine is available in several salts that contain varying amounts of piperazinebase (see Chemistry above). Many of the doses listed below do not specify what salt (if any) isused in the dosage calculations. If the dose is in question, refer to the actual product information forthe product you are using.Dogs:
For treatment of ascarids (Note: Because larval stages in the host's tissues may not be affectedby the drug, many clinicians recommend retreating about 2-3 weeks after the first dose):
a) 45 - 65 mg of base/kg PO; For pups less than 2.5 kg: 150 mg maximum. (Corneliusand Roberson 1986)
b) 110 mg/kg PO (Chiapella 1988)
c) 100 mg/kg PO; repeat in 3 weeks. (Morgan 1988)
d) 20 - 30 mg/kg PO once. (Davis 1985)
e) 110 mg/kg PO; repeat in 21 days. (Kirk 1989)
f) 45 - 65 mg/kg (as base) PO. (Roberson 1988b)Cats:
For treatment of ascarids (Note: Because larval stages in the host's tissues may not be affectedby the drug, many clinicians recommend retreating about 2-3 weeks after the first dose):
a) 45 - 65 mg of base/kg PO; 150 mg maximum. (Cornelius and Roberson 1986)
b) 110 mg/kg PO (Chiapella 1988)
c) 100 mg/kg PO; repeat in 3 weeks. (Morgan 1988)
d) 20 - 30 mg/kg PO once. (Davis 1985)
e) 110 mg/kg PO; repeat in 21 days. (Kirk 1989)
f) 45 - 65 mg/kg (as base) PO. (Roberson 1988b)
Horses: There are combination products available for use in horses (see Dosage
Forms/Preparations section) that contain piperazine that have increased efficacy against nematodesand other helminths. Refer to the individual products' package insert for more information.
a) 110 mg/kg (base) PO; repeat in 3-4 weeks. Retreating at 10 week intervals for P.equorum infections in young animals is recommended. (Roberson 1988b)
b) 200 mg/kg PO. Maximum of 80 grams in adults, 60 grams in yearlings, and 30 gramsin foals. (Brander, Pugh, and Bywater 1982)
Cattle, Sheep & Goats: Because of fairly high resistance of many nematode species to piperazine, it is rarely used alone in these species.Swine:
For Ascaris suum and Oesophagostomum:
a) 0.2 - 0.4% in the feed, or 0.1 - 0.2% in the drinking water. All medicated water or feedmust be consumed within 12 hours, so fasting or withholding water overnight may bebeneficial to ensure adequate dosing. Retreat in 2 months. Safe in young animals andduring pregnancy. Drug withdrawal times not determined for swine. (Paul 1986)
b) 110 mg/kg (as base). Citrate salt usually used in feed as a one day treatment, and hexahydrate in drinking water. Dose must be consumed in 8-12 hours. Withholding wateror feed the previous night may be beneficial. (Roberson 1988b)
Birds:a) For ascarids in poultry (not effective in psittacines): 100 - 500 mg/kg PO once; repeat in10-14 days. (Clubb 1986)
b) For nematodes: Piperazine citrate: 45 - 100 mg/kg single dose or 6 - 10 grams/gallonfor 1-4 days. In raptors: 100 mg/kg. In parakeets and canaries: 0.5 mg/gram. (Stunkard1984)
c) For Ascaridia galli in poultry: 32 mg/kg (as base) (approximately 0.3 grams for eachadult) given in each of 2 successive feedings or for 2 days in drinking water. Citrate oradipate salts are usually used in feed and the hexahydrate in drinking water. (Roberson1988b)
Monitoring Parameters -1) Clinical and/or laboratory efficacy 2) Adverse effects
Client Information - Clients should be instructed to administer only the amount prescribed and torelate any serious adverse effects to the veterinarian.
Dosage Forms/Preparations/Approval Status/Withdrawal Times - Veterinary-Approved Products:
Piperazine Dihydrochloride tablets equivalent to 50 mg, or 250 mg base. Pipa-Tabs® (Vet-A-Mix); (OTC) Approved for use in dogs and cats.
Additional products and combination products may be available for a variety of species.
Human-Approved Products: None
Dogs: 
For treatment of ascarids (Note: Because larval stages in the host's tissues may not be affectedby the drug, many clinicians recommend retreating about 2-3 weeks after the first dose): a) 45 - 65 mg of base/kg PO; For pups less than 2.5 kg: 150 mg maximum. (Corneliusand Roberson 1986)
b) 110 mg/kg PO (Chiapella 1988)
c) 100 mg/kg PO; repeat in 3 weeks. (Morgan 1988)
d) 20 - 30 mg/kg PO once. (Davis 1985)
e) 110 mg/kg PO; repeat in 21 days. (Kirk 1989)
f) 45 - 65 mg/kg (as base) PO. (Roberson 1988b)
Cats: 
For treatment of ascarids (Note: Because larval stages in the host's tissues may not be affectedby the drug, many clinicians recommend retreating about 2-3 weeks after the first dose): a) 45 - 65 mg of base/kg PO; 150 mg maximum. (Cornelius and Roberson 1986)
b) 110 mg/kg PO (Chiapella 1988)
c) 100 mg/kg PO; repeat in 3 weeks. (Morgan 1988)
d) 20 - 30 mg/kg PO once. (Davis 1985)
e) 110 mg/kg PO; repeat in 21 days. (Kirk 1989)
f) 45 - 65 mg/kg (as base) PO. (Roberson 1988b)
Horses: There are combination products available for use in horses (see Dosage
Forms/Preparations section) that contain piperazine that have increased efficacy against nematodesand other helminths. Refer to the individual products' package insert for more information.
a) 110 mg/kg (base) PO; repeat in 3-4 weeks. Retreating at 10 week intervals for P.equorum infections in young animals is recommended. (Roberson 1988b)
b) 200 mg/kg PO. Maximum of 80 grams in adults, 60 grams in yearlings, and 30 gramsin foals. (Brander, Pugh, and Bywater 1982)
Cattle, Sheep & Goats: Because of fairly high resistance of many nematode species to piperazine, it is rarely used alone in these species.
Swine: 
For Ascaris suum and Oesophagostomum: a) 0.2 - 0.4% in the feed, or 0.1 - 0.2% in the drinking water. All medicated water or feedmust be consumed within 12 hours, so fasting or withholding water overnight may bebeneficial to ensure adequate dosing. Retreat in 2 months. Safe in young animals andduring pregnancy. Drug withdrawal times not determined for swine. (Paul 1986)
b) 110 mg/kg (as base). Citrate salt usually used in feed as a one day treatment, and hexahydrate in drinking water. Dose must be consumed in 8-12 hours. Withholding wateror feed the previous night may be beneficial. (Roberson 1988b)
Birds:a) For ascarids in poultry (not effective in psittacines): 100 - 500 mg/kg PO once; repeat in10-14 days. (Clubb 1986)
b) For nematodes: Piperazine citrate: 45 - 100 mg/kg single dose or 6 - 10 grams/gallonfor 1-4 days. In raptors: 100 mg/kg. In parakeets and canaries: 0.5 mg/gram. (Stunkard1984)
c) For Ascaridia galli in poultry: 32 mg/kg (as base) (approximately 0.3 grams for eachadult) given in each of 2 successive feedings or for 2 days in drinking water. Citrate oradipate salts are usually used in feed and the hexahydrate in drinking water. (Roberson1988b)
Monitoring Parameters -1) Clinical and/or laboratory efficacy 2) Adverse effects
Client Information - Clients should be instructed to administer only the amount prescribed and torelate any serious adverse effects to the veterinarian.
Dosage Forms/Preparations/Approval Status/Withdrawal Times - Veterinary-Approved Products:
Piperazine Dihydrochloride tablets equivalent to 50 mg, or 250 mg base. Pipa-Tabs® (Vet-A-Mix); (OTC) Approved for use in dogs and cats.
Additional products and combination products may be available for a variety of species.
Human-Approved Products: None