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Treatments and drugs
By Mayo Clinic staffSome people with tapeworm infections never need treatment, and the tapeworm exits the body on its own. Others don't realize they have it because they have no symptoms. However, if you're diagnosed with intestinal tapeworm infection, medication will likely be prescribed to get rid of it.
Medications for intestinal tapeworm
The most common treatment for tapeworm infection involves oral medications that are toxic to the tapeworm. The drug most frequently used is praziquantel (Biltricide), which attacks the adult tapeworm. Albendazole (Albenza) is sometimes used, as well as the antimicrobial drug nitazoxanide (Alinia). The medication prescribed depends on the species of tapeworm involved and the site of infection.
Be aware that these drugs target the adult tapeworm, not the eggs, so take care to avoid reinfecting yourself. Always wash your hands after using the toilet and before eating.
Stool samples are generally checked at one month or three months after you've finished taking your medication, depending on what species of tapeworm you have. Successful treatment should render your stool free of tapeworm eggs, larvae or proglottids. The success rate is high in people who receive appropriate treatment.
Treatments for invasive tapeworm infection
Treating an invasive infection depends on the location and effects of the infection.
- Anthelmintic drugs. Albendazole (Albenza) can shrink some tapeworm cysts. Your doctor may monitor the cysts periodically using imaging studies such as ultrasound or X-ray to be sure the drug is effective.
- Anti-inflammatories. If tapeworm cysts are causing swelling or inflammation in your tissues or organs, an anti-inflammatory medication can help.
- Anti-epileptic therapy. If the disease is causing seizures, anti-epileptic medications can stop them.
- Shunt placement. One type of invasive infection can cause too much fluid on the brain, called hydrocephalus. Your doctor may recommend placing a permanent shunt, or tube, in your head to drain the fluid.
- Surgery. Whether cysts can be removed surgically depends on their location and symptoms. Those that develop in the liver, lungs and eyes are typically removed, since they can eventually threaten organ function.
- King CH. Cestodes (tapeworms). In: Mandell GL, et al. Principles and Practice of Infectious Diseases. 6th ed. Orlando, Fla.: Churchill Livingstone; 2005. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/156207614-3/0/1259/2336.html?tocnode=51384605&fromURL=2336.html#4-u1.0-B0-443-06643-4..50291-9_9001. Accessed Aug. 23, 2009.
- King CH. Cestode infections. In: Goldman L, et al. Cecil Medicine. 23rd ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Saunders Elsevier; 2007. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/156207614-3/0/1492/1272.html?tocnode=54627631&fromURL=1272.html#4-u1.0-B978-1-4160-2805-5..50380-3_15831 Accessed Aug. 23, 2009.
- Craig P, et al. Intestinal cestodes. Current Opinion in Infectious Diseases. 2007; 20:524.
- Leder K, et al. Intestinal tapeworms. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Aug. 23, 2009.
- White AC. Clinical manifestations and diagnosis of cysticercosis. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Aug. 23, 2009.
- White AC. Treatment of cysticercosis. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Aug. 23, 2009.
