Which specific helminth is targeted by the drug Niclosamide?

Niclosamide specifically targets tapeworms, which are flatworms belonging to the class Cestoda. The drug disrupts the energy metabolism and reproductive processes of these parasites, effectively killing them. Its action is distinct because it interferes with the uptake of glucose in the tapeworms, leading to their eventual death. This makes Niclosamide a go-to treatment for infections caused by various species of tapeworms, such as Taenia solium (pork tapeworm) and Taenia saginata (beef tapeworm). The focus on tapeworms highlights the unique pharmacodynamics of Niclosamide, differentiating it from treatments for other helminths such as roundworms, hookworms, and whipworms, which require different therapeutic agents.