Health Library Nitazoxanide for GiardiasisFrom Healthwise

The exact way this medicine kills the giardia parasite is not known. The medicine may interfere with the metabolism of the parasite, causing its death.

Nitazoxanide is approved to treat giardiasis in children and adults.

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

The frequency of side effects from taking nitazoxanide was no greater than that caused by a placebo. The most common side effects were:

• Belly pain.
• Diarrhea.
• Vomiting.
• Headache.

Some people 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.)

Nitazoxanide also is effective in treating infections with the parasite Cryptosporidium.

Nitazoxanide is a liquid (not a pill), so it is easier for some people to take.

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

Citations

1. 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.

Author:	Maria G. Essig, MS, ELS	Last Updated: October 16, 2007
Medical Review:	E. Gregory Thompson, MD - Internal Medicine W. David Colby IV, MSc, MD, FRCPC - Infectious Disease
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