The use of mebendazole in the treatment of Taenia saginata taeniasis in an endemic area in the Philippines.

The successful treatment of Taenia saginata taeniasis with mebendazole is herein reported. 41 subjects ascertained to have taeniasis based on the history of passage of gravid segments and positivity for Taenia egg were treated with 300 mg mebendazole b.i.d. for 3 days without need for fasting. No side-effects were observed. The drug acts as a taeniacide. The worms were expelled either as degenerated boluses or fragmented segments on the 2nd to the 4th day (Mean: 2.4 days) after the initial dose. 33 (84.6%) of the 41 subjects expelled the worm. A follow-up of all the subjects 2--3 months after treatment revealed that all those who expelled the worm following treatment and 6 of those who did not were negative for both Taenia egg and gravid segment, or a cure rate of 95%.