Medication for Tapeworm in Kids

According to the Control of Communicable Diseases Manual, the drugs of choice to treat tapeworm infections are niclosamide, praziquantel, or nitazoxanide. Both adults and children can take these drugs, but doses depend on their age and weight, and on the type of tapeworm. The following information is based on average dosages. Your pediatric physician will determine how to medicate the infected child.

How to Administer

• Administer niclosamide, nitazoxanide and praziquantel medications orally. Take nitazoxanide with food. No preparations are required before taking niclosamide and praziquantel.

Niclosamide Dosage

• Niclosamide dosage depends on the type of tapeworm. For children weighing 24 to 74 pounds infected with fish tapeworm or beef tapeworm, give 1 gram as a single dose. If the child weighs more than 74 pounds, give 1.5 grams as a single dose. In both instances, treatment can be repeated if infection persists after seven days.

  Children 24 to 74 pounds and infected with dwarf tapeworm are given 1 gram on the first day, then 500 mg once a day for the next six days. If infection persists after seven days, treatment can be repeated.

Nitazoxanide

• Children 4 to 11 years old medicated with nitazoxanide should be given 10 mL every 12 hours for three days. Children 12 to 47 months are given 5 mL every 12 hours for three days. Adolescents or adults 12 years and older should be administered 25 mL every 12 hours for three days.

Praziquantel

• The dosage of praziquantel varies between patients and should be determined by a physician. The average treatment is 15-25 mg/kg single dose.

Complete Treatment

• Even if symptoms clear up, take medications for the full length of time. This is necessary to ensure that the infection is completely eliminated.