Which drug is used to treat Taenia solium, Taenia saginata, and many other cestodes?

• A. Praziquantel (also niclosamide for some cestodes)
• B. Albendazole
• C. Ivermectin
• D. Metronidazole

Answer: (A)

Praziquantel is effective against tapeworms because it damages the parasite’s tegument and increases calcium influx, causing rapid paralysis and dislodgement from the intestinal wall. This leads to effective killing of adult tapeworms and is highly active across a broad range of cestodes, including Taenia solium and Taenia saginata, making it a preferred choice for taeniasis. An additional option for some cestodes is niclosamide, which works locally in the gut, but praziquantel’s broad spectrum and proven efficacy across many cestodes give it the edge as the standard treatment. The other drugs listed target nematodes or protozoa and do not provide reliable activity against tapeworm infections, so they aren’t suitable for treating Taenia species.