Nitazoxanide for giardiasis

Nitazoxanide for giardiasis
Examples
How It Works
Why It Is Used
How Well It Works
Side Effects
What To Think About
References
Credits

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Examples

Brand Name	Chemical Name
Alinia	nitazoxanide

How It Works

The exact way this medicine kills the giardia parasite is not known. It is believed the medicine interferes with the metabolism of the parasite, resulting in its death.

Why It Is Used

Nitazoxanide is approved to treat giardiasis in children and adults.

How Well It Works

Early studies indicate nitazoxanide is at least as effective as metronidazole, a medicine commonly used to treat giardiasis.¹

Side Effects

The frequency of side effects from taking nitazoxanide were no greater than those experienced by people taking a placebo. The most common side effects were:

Belly pain.
Diarrhea.
Vomiting.
Headache.

Some people have also developed yellowing of the whites of the eyes while taking the medicine, but this went away soon after the people stopped taking the medicine.

See Drug Reference for a full list of side effects. (Drug Reference is not available in all systems.)

What To Think About

Nitazoxanide is also effective in treating infection with the parasite cryptosporidium.

Nitazoxanide is a liquid, making it easier for some people to take than a pill.

Complete the new medication information form (PDF) (What is a PDF document?) to help you understand this medication.

References

Citations
Ortiz JJ, et al. (2001). Randomized clinical study of nitazoxanide compared to metronidazole in the treatment of symptomatic giardiasis in children from Northern Peru. Alimentary Pharmacology and Therapeutics, 15(9): 1409–1415.

Credits

Author	Colleen Cronin
Editor	Susan Van Houten, RN, BSN, MBA
Associate Editor	Michele Cronen
Associate Editor	Tracy Landauer
Primary Medical Reviewer	Adam Husney, MD - Family Medicine
Specialist Medical Reviewer	W. David Colby, MSc, MD, FRCPC - Infectious Disease
Last Updated	October 19, 2005

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Last updated:	October 19, 2005
Author:	Colleen Cronin
Reviewed By:	Adam Husney, MD - Family Medicine, W. David Colby, MSc, MD, FRCPC - Infectious Disease
Editors:	Susan Van Houten, RN, BSN, MBA, Tracy Landauer

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