II. Indications

  1. Giardiasis (Diarrheal illness)
  2. Cryptosporidiosis (Diarrheal Illness)
    1. May also be used off-label in Cryptosporidiosis with comorbid HIV Infection (on HAART)

III. Mechanism

  1. Synthetic benzamide
  2. Antiprotozoal Agent blocks anaerobic Energy Metabolism
    1. Pyruvate ferredoxin oxidoreductase (PFOR enzyme) dependent electron transfer
    2. Activity against Giardia lamblia and Cryptosporidium parvum

IV. Medications

  1. Tablet: 500 mg
  2. Suspension: 100 mg/5 ml
    1. May be stored at room Temperature for up to 7 days
    2. Contains 1.5 g sucrose per 5 ml (teaspoon)

V. Dosing: Diarrhea associated with Giardiasis or Cryptosporidiosis

  1. Adult (and child >=12 years)
    1. Nitazoxanide 500 mg orally twice daily with food for 3 days
  2. Child
    1. Age 1 to 3 years: 100 mg orally twice daily with food for 3 days
    2. Age 3 to 11 years: 200 mg orally twice daily with food for 3 days
    3. Age >=12 years: Use adult dose

VI. Safety

  1. Unknown safety in pregnancy
  2. Unknown safety in Lactation

VII. Adverse Effects

  1. Urine will appear bright yellow orange (pyridium-like effect)

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Ontology: nitazoxanide (C0068788)

Definition (NCI) A synthetic benzamide with antiprotozoal activity. Nitazoxanide exerts its antiprotozoal activity by interfering with the pyruvate ferredoxin/flavodoxin oxidoreductase dependent electron transfer reaction, which is essential to anaerobic energy metabolism. PFOR enzyme reduces nitazoxanide, thereby impairing the energy metabolism. However, interference with the PFOR enzyme-dependent electron transfer reaction may not be the only pathway by which nitazoxanide exhibits antiprotozoal activity. Nitazoxanide is active against Giardia lamblia and Cryptosporidium parvum.
Concepts Pharmacologic Substance (T121) , Organic Chemical (T109)
MSH C041747
SnomedCT 407149009, 407148001
LNC LP172569-8, MTHU046349
English nitazoxanide, Benzamide, 2-(acetyloxy)-N-(5-nitro-2-thiazolyl)-, Salicylamide, N-(5-nitro-2-thiazolyl)-, Acetate(Ester), nitazoxanide (medication), nitazoxanide [Chemical/Ingredient], 2-(Acetolyloxy)-N-(5-nitro-2-thiazolyl)benzamide, Nitazoxanide (product), Nitazoxanide (substance), Nitazoxanide, NITAZOXANIDE
Spanish nitazoxanida (producto), nitazoxanida (sustancia), nitazoxanida