TREATMENTS FOR FLAT WORMS
In this post, we will see the treatments for the helminths trematodes (flukes) and cestodes (tapeworm)
Praziquantel
This is the drug of choice for the treatment of all species of schistosomiasis a condition known as snail fever which is caused by a kind of flatworm called schistosomes. It usually occurs in the gut and urinary tract, causes fever, diarrhea with bloody stools, bloody urine, abdominal pain, and vomiting. Chronic infection may cause liver and kidney damages.
Praziquantel is the drug of choice for some tapeworm infections caused by cysticercosis a pork tapeworm that causes tissue damages under the skin by forming self-healing bumps. If the infection is at the brain level then seizures may occur. Poor and improperly cooked foods may be the causes. Even though it is resembling taeniasis which is a different disease caused by eating pork directly, while cysticercosis can occur by any improperly cooked foods and drinks that contain tapeworm eggs.
Also praziquantel is effective against fluke worms also. Fluke worms are small parasitic animals with the size ranged from 1mm to 7 cm. They are bloodsuckers infecting the intestine, liver, and blood. It is more common in the countries in which human wastes are used as fertilizers.
The mechanism of action is praziquantel causes calcium permeability of the cell membrane of the parasite and causes tetany like contractions followed by paralysis and death of the organism.
By oral route a rapid absorption occurs and distributed readily into CNS.
Metabolized in the liver and excreted through the kidney
Adverse effects are dizziness, drowsiness, nausea, headache.
Niclosamide
Niclosamide is the drug of choice for tapeworm infections such as taenia solium the pork tapeworms and taenia saginata the beef tapeworms.
Niclosamide is ineffective against cysticercosis for which praziquantel and albendazole should be used.
Side effects are usually mild such as nausea, vomiting, headache, and fever.
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