Tapeworm Infections - Treatment
Oral anti-parasitic and anti-inflammatory drugs are administered to treat adult tapeworm infections.
The drugs of choice are Niclosamide (Niclocide), Praziquantel (Biltricide) and Albendazole.
It is important that the drug has the ability to eliminate the head and neck regions completely as the worm can regenerate from these parts. Vitamin B-12 injections or supplements may be needed for the treatment of megaloblastic anemia.
Anti-inflammatory drugs are given to reduce swelling as a result of the action of the immune system on the dead worms.
Surgery is also done in severe cases to remove the infected area or to facilitate the removal of the cyst.
After 48 hours of the administration of the antihelmintic drugs the proglottids and the eggs begin to shed in the feces. Sometimes doctors may prescribe a laxative to help in the expulsion of the segments of the tapeworm.
It is recommended that follow-up stool samples be examined at one month and three months after treatment has been completed. Treatment can be considered successful if no eggs are present in several stool samples.
