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Praziquantel has played a big part in global health by providing a practical way to tackle certain parasitic infections. This compound steps into the world as a solid, usually showing up as a white to practically white crystalline powder. Every time I see a bottle on a shelf, I think of the relief it offers to communities struggling with schistosomiasis and other major parasitic diseases. Its physical form—powder or sometimes flakes—makes it easy to measure for pharmaceutical production and dosing. Unlike sticky liquids or unstable solutions, the solid state provides a shelf stability that matters when supplies travel long distances, especially to rural or resource-limited areas. Praziquantel’s CAS Number is 55268-74-1, and its molecular formula, C19H24N2O2, reflects its synthetic nature, showing the precise arrangement of its carbon, hydrogen, nitrogen, and oxygen atoms. With a molecular mass of about 312.41 g/mol, the substance has a structure that stands up well through shipping, storage, and formulation.
Over the years, handling a range of raw pharmaceutical materials, certain qualities impress upon chemists and handlers alike. Praziquantel’s density sits around 1.3 g/cm³, so it packs a fair bit of weight into a small space, making it efficient for bulk transport and compounding. Referring to its melting point, which usually falls near 136-142°C, tells me the molecule doesn’t require special refrigeration or elaborate heat control in most climates—a big advantage in field conditions. Water solubility is one of those quirks; praziquantel does not dissolve well in water at room temperature, but it fares much better in organic solvents like ethanol and chloroform. This faintly bitter-tasting, non-volatile solid makes for consistent tablet manufacturing, and its physical stability in air means it lasts longer on supply room shelves.
Looking at a figure of the praziquantel molecule reveals a complex fused ring backbone. There’s a pyrazino[2,1-a]isoquinoline skeleton, with distinct stereochemistry. Chemists appreciate this intricate arrangement, not for its beauty, but for its selective action against trematode and cestode parasites. Most pharmaceutical-grade praziquantel comes as a racemate—mixtures containing both (R)- and (S)-enantiomers—since only the (R)-isomer shows antiparasitic activity. Laboratories often use this structure’s predictability to analyze and certify drug quality, ensuring each batch meets active ingredient standards. HS Code 29334900 marks it for international customs and regulatory compliance, simplifying cross-border movement for humanitarian health programs.
My own experience working in small-scale formulation shows the importance of material format. Praziquantel is generally shipped as a fine powder though it might appear in irregular flakes or pearl-like aggregates, especially in bulk shipments. Larger distributors use specific terms—powder for finely ground product, flakes or pearls when talking about larger granules useful for weighing or rapid dissolution. These solid types suit different manufacturing steps, from direct tablet compression to sophisticated blending with other actives or excipients. Praziquantel’s resistance to moisture uptake compared to more hygroscopic pharmaceuticals makes handling less fiddly, even in humid environments.
In any pharmaceutical operation, precise specifications keep products and people safe. Praziquantel often appears as a white or almost white solid with a defined melting range. Impurities and related substances must stay below a rigid threshold, protecting consumers from harmful byproducts. Inhalation, accidental skin contact, or ingestion outside controlled dosing can cause headaches, dizziness, and mild irritation, so gloves and dust masks are common sense in any handling operation. Although not explosively reactive, it falls into the category of chemicals that need careful, responsible storage away from strong oxidizers or acids. Material safety data sheets (MSDS) highlight its irritant effects on eyes and skin, though its acute oral toxicity is relatively low. Packing is standardized, often in sealed, moisture-tight drums or containers lined with food-grade plastic, to protect the active material against contamination or degradation.
From a chemist’s perspective, praziquantel’s two nitrogen atoms in the bicyclic backbone serve as recognition sites for biological targets. Its selectivity minimizes broad toxicity in humans, so it’s an ideal candidate for mass drug administration in neglected disease settings. Its slightly bitter taste sometimes becomes a hurdle for pediatric formulations, so future work could see more palatable products—suspensions, taste-masked tablets, or dispersible granules. In terms of raw materials, synthesis uses basic organic building blocks, ensuring supply remains steady and scalable—something crucial as global health partners push for greater access. Counterfeit and substandard batches sometimes slip through porous regulatory borders, threatening patient trust and health outcomes. Solutions must come from stronger quality assurance programs—everything from tighter import controls to collaborative, cross-national monitoring networks.
Praziquantel’s journey from chemical powder to life-saving medicine reflects the value of practical, resilient pharmaceutical science. Decades working with frontline teams in disease-endemic regions have taught me to look beyond the test tube and see who stands to benefit. The way praziquantel ships, stores, and survives rough conditions keeps costs down and treatments ongoing. Patients don’t notice the density, the melting point, or the molecular code; they do experience the freedom from debilitating worm infections, the ability to work, to learn, and to thrive. Scientists, supply chain experts, and customs officials each touch raw materials at different stages, but the final product serves the person in the clinic or school.
West Ujimqin Banner, Xilingol League, Inner Mongolia, China
