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Diphyllobothriasis - Treatment

Alternative Names

Fish tapeworm infection

Treatment:

You will receive medicines to fight the parasites. Medicines are taken by mouth, usually in a single dose.

The drug of choice for tapeworm infections is niclosamide. Praziquantel and albendazole can also be used. You may need vitamin B12 injections or supplements to treat megaloblastic anemia that can occur with this infection.

Expectations (prognosis):

Fish tapeworms can be removed with a single treatment dose. There are no lasting effects.

Complications:

  • Megaloblastic anemia
  • Intestinal blockage

Calling your health care provider:

Call your health care provider if:

  • You have noticed a worm or segments of a worm in your stool
  • Any family members have symptoms of pernicious anemia
  • Reviewed last on: 8/28/2009
  • David C. Dugdale, III, MD, Professor of Medicine, Division of General Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine; and Jatin M. Vyas, MD, PhD, Assistant Professor in Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Assistant in Medicine, Division of Infectious Disease, Department of Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

References

King CH. Cestode infections. In: Goldman L, Ausiello D, eds. Cecil Medicine. 23rd ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier; 2007:chap 375.

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