Tx for Giardia:

Three-Day Pediatric Nitazoxanide Suspension Resolves Diarrhea Caused by Giardia Intestinalis
TAMPA, FL -- September 6, 2001 -- A clinical trial published in the September 1 issue of the British journal, Alimentary Pharmacology & Therapeutics, found that a three-day course of treatment with nitazoxanide pediatric suspension was as effective as a longer five-day course of metronidazole suspension in treating diarrhea caused by Giardia intestinalis in children.

Giardia intestinalis is the most common intestinal protozoan infection in humans worldwide and a significant cause of diarrheal illness, particularly in children. Giardia and other intestinal protozoa, Cryptosporidium parvum and Entamoeba histolytica, are causes of persistent diarrhea in children that can lead to dehydration often requiring hospitalization, malnutrition, impaired physical and cognitive development and even death.

A recent study reported in The Journal of Infectious Diseases found that a *****three-day course of treatment with nitazoxanide was also effective in treating diarrhea caused by Cryptosporidium parvum and Entamoeba histolytica. In addition, a report in Clinical Infectious Diseases found that nitazoxanide was effective against a strain of Giardia intestinalis that was resistant to metronidazole.

"The activity of a short three-day course of nitazoxanide against each of the three leading causes of protozoal diarrhea, including metronidazole-resistant Giardia, offers the prospect for significant improvements in treatment outcomes for patients suffering from these diseases," said Dr. Jean-Francois Rossignol, Chairman and Chief Science Officer of The Romark Institute for Medical Research. "It has been particularly important to establish the safety and efficacy of nitazoxanide in treating these diseases in children."

In the study, researchers compared the efficacy and safety of nitazoxanide in the treatment of diarrhea caused by G. intestinalis in 110 children. The children were treated with either a three-day course of nitazoxanide (5 ml for ages two to three or 10 ml for ages four to 11 of 100 mg/5ml strawberry-flavored oral suspension twice daily) or a five-day course of metronidazole (5ml of 125 mg/5ml for ages two to five or 250 mg/5ml for ages six-11 metronidazole suspension), with follow up after seven days of treatment. Forty-seven of 55 children (85 percent) in the nitazoxanide treatment group resolved diarrhea prior to the follow-up visit compared to 44 of 55 (80 percent) for metronidazole.

SOURCE: Romark Laboratories>>

GOOD LUCK to your child!