Treatment for tapeworm infection includes a medicine to kill the parasite and other medications to prevent symptoms or reinfection. Anthelmintic medications are the first-line drugs used to cure cases of tapeworm infection. National Health Services UK states that the anthelmintic medications first kill the tapeworm infection and then cause the parasite to be passed in the patient's stool. Examples of anthelmintic medications are niclosamide, albendazole and praziquantel. The drugs in this family work by directly attacking the tapeworm and dissolving specific parts on the parasite.
Niclosamide
According to Drugs.com, niclosamide is indicated for tapeworm infection and is usually taken as a single dose. Niclosamide inhibits metabolism in the cells of parasites, according to Drugs.com. The scolex is the part of the tapeworm that allows the worm to attach to the patient's intestine. Niclosamide destroys this area of the parasite and therefore the worm can no longer attach to the patient's intestines.
Praziquantel
Praziquantel is described by Drugs.com as vermicidal, which means the drug kills parasitic worms. The precise mechanism of action is unknown, but, for tapeworms, the drug seems to cause the worm to develop massive contractions and paralysis of its muscles. This paralysis, along with the drug's ability to cause the neck region of the parasite to dissolve, ultimately kills the parasite. Praziquantel is accepted as a primary treatment for tapeworm infections.
Albendazole
Albendazole is reported to cause degeneration of the skin and intestinal cells of the tapeworm. With a series of biochemical reactions, the drug is able to prevent the tapeworm's ability to produce energy molecules. Without this energy, the parasite becomes immobilized and soon dies.
Albendazole is considered an alternative treatment for tapeworm infections. Niclosamide or praziquantel are preferred for treatment of taeniasis. Albendazole is used more in developing countries because it is cheaper and has broader anthelmintic effect than niclosamide or praziquantel, according to Drugs.com.
Laxatives
According to National Health Services UK, some doctors recommend the use of laxatives to aid in the passing of the tapeworm in the patient's stool. A faster passing of the parasites may decrease the chances of the patient developing symptoms and the chance of reinfection from tapeworm larvae.
Anti-emetic Medications
There are doctors that believe that patients that have taken anthelmintic medications to kill the active parasites can be reinfected by vomiting and then swallowing tapeworm larvae that get stuck in the mouth, according to National Health Services UK. Therefore, the utilization of anti-emetic drugs, such as odansetron, to prevent vomiting, or emesis can be important in the treatment of tapeworm infection. This drug works by controlling the action of a hormone called serotonin.
