Definition
The term teniasis refers to an "infection sustained by a multicellular parasite known as Tapeworm or, more commonly, tapeworm. The people most at risk of contracting the disease are those who live in poor, developing countries, where hygienic standards- sanitation leave something to be desired.
Causes
Teniasis is caused by an "infection caused by flatworms belonging to the Platelminti family; the most common species are Taenia Solium, Taenia Saginata, Hymenolepis nana And Diphillobothrium latum, which can infect humans following the ingestion of infected, undercooked or raw meats (eg pork, beef, wild boar, etc.).
In detail…
Man, feeding on undercooked meats infected with tapeworms, risks contracting the infection; the parasite dwells in the host inside the intestine, feeding on the nutrients and creating the damage.
Symptoms
Symptoms of tapeworm manifest themselves only after a few months from contagion: since the tapeworm feeds on the nutrients of the host in which it lives, the patient is always hungry but, despite eating exaggeratedly, he is unable to gain weight.Furthermore, the victim is fatigued, complains of diarrhea, abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting. Vitamin and mineral deficiencies are common elements among patients with tapeworm.
The information on Teniasis - Drugs for the Treatment of Tapeworm Infestation is not intended to replace the direct relationship between health professional and patient. Always consult your doctor and / or specialist before taking Teniasis - Drugs for the Treatment of Infestation from Tenia.
Medicines and treatments
Tapeworm infection is generally eradicated with a simple pharmacological treatment; only in the most severe cases, teniasis can only be eradicated through a minor surgery. The most difficult problem is the diagnosis: in fact, it is often difficult to find a response to the symptomatological picture. The presence of tapeworms in the intestine can only be ascertained through the objective examination of the feces. From these words it is understood how the immediate medical examination, starting from the very first suspicious symptoms, is essential to ward off the parasite in the shortest possible time.
Teniasis can be prevented through the consumption of well-cooked meats, especially those suspicious and of dubious origin; freezing meat before cooking can also be a valid preventive option against teniasis.
Pharmacological therapy, in the vast majority of cases, has the primary objective of eradicating the tapeworm from the intestine and, when necessary, from the contiguous contiguous tissues: the drug, by detaching the parasite's head from the intestinal wall of the host, it favors the removal of the same through the evacuation. It is no coincidence that pharmacological therapy with these drugs (listed in detail below) is often associated with the administration of laxatives, very useful for promoting evacuation, therefore also the expulsion of the tapeworm.
The following are the classes of drugs most used in the therapy for teniasis, and some examples of pharmacological specialties; it is up to the doctor to choose the most suitable active ingredient and dosage for the patient, based on the severity of the disease, the state of health of the patient and his response to treatment:
- Praziquantel (eg. Droncit, Tremazol): it is one of the most widely used anthelmintic drugs for the treatment of teniasis; the active principle acts by increasing the membrane permeability of the parasite, causing its paralysis. For the treatment of Taenia saginata And Taenia solium, it is recommended to take the drug at a dose of 5-10 mg / kg orally, in a single dose. In the past, the recommended dose was 20mg / kg, to be taken in a single dose. The drug is not marketed in Italy.
- Paromomycin (eg Humatin). The drug belongs to the class of amoebioids-aminoglycosides, and is active against tapeworms. Indicatively, it is recommended to administer the drug at a dose of 1 gram, orally, every 15 minutes for 4 doses. Paromomycin is not the treatment of choice for the treatment of teniasis, while it is normally used in therapy for the treatment of leishmaniasis.
- Albendazole (eg. Zentel): indicated for the treatment of "Echinoccus granulosus, a small tapeworm that does not exceed 7 mm in length. If so, take the drug at a dose of 400 mg orally, twice a day for 1-6 months.
- Niclosamide (eg Yomesan, Niclocide): the drug is active against cestode infections; however, it does NOT act on the larval stages. The drug probably works by inhibiting oxidative phosphorylation or by stimulating ATPase activity. Before treatment with this drug it is recommended to take an anthelmintic, while after treatment with niclosamide it is recommended to take a laxative to speed up the evacuation of the tapeworm. Also this drug is not without side effects; among the best known, we remember : gastrointestinal disturbances, itching, dizziness. It is recommended to take the drug in a single dose of 2 grams, to be administered in the morning, on an empty stomach; the drug is available in the form of chewable tablets, to be swallowed later with water.
Laxative drugs: after the administration of the anthelmintic drug, the administration of laxative drugs is recommended, whose usefulness is expressed in speeding up the elimination of the infesting parasite. For example:
- Senna (eg. Xprep, Agiolax, Pursennid, Falquilax): the anthraquinone drug exerts its therapeutic activity in 8-12 hours. Available in powder and solvent for oral solution, take one or two teaspoons of product in the evening. Do not exceed the recommended dose.
- Sterculia gum (eg Normacol): the drug is a volume laxative; indicatively, take 2-4 sachets per day, each containing 6.1 grams of sterculia gum. It is recommended to take the product with plenty of water to speed up the elimination of the infesting parasite.
- Peanut oil: the product is a lubricant, formulated in the form of enemas which, by lubricating and softening the intestinal contents (compact), favor intestinal motility, therefore the removal of the tapeworm.
- Magnesium hydroxide (eg. Magnesia): used when a rapid bowel emptying is required, as in the case of tapeworm. Take the drug preferably in the morning: usually a teaspoon of product with plenty of water is needed (the drug is available as powder for oral suspension of 90 grams of active on 100 grams of product). Excessive use can cause colic.
- Lactulose (eg. Duphalac, Epalfen, Normase): the product is an osmotic laxative, able to modify the distribution of liquids in the fecal mass, favoring evacuation. It is recommended to start with a low dosage (15 ml of solution at 62 -74%), twice a day The dose should be adjusted according to the severity of the condition.
Integration of vitamins and minerals: since the tapeworm, which has taken root in the intestinal wall, feeds on all the nutrients of the host, it is evident that the lack of vitamins and minerals is a very probable eventuality. Accordingly, it is recommended to supplement the diet with mineral and vitamin supplements; below, some examples:
- Ferrous Sulphate (eg Ferrograd): indicated for iron deficiency
- Magnesium Tab: magnesium supplement
- Multicentrum, Supradyn, Be-total Plus: multivitamin supplements
- Redoxon, C tard, CIMILLE: ascorbic acid supplement (or vitamin C)
Even phytotherapy can help in case of proven tapeworm infection: it is believed that drugs such as garlic, pomegranate, propolis and pumpkin seeds contain active ingredients with anti-helminthic activity, therefore able to assist / speed up the removal of the tapeworm.
