Nitazoxanide
Nitazoxanide
Nitazoxanide (pronounced as nī-tə-zōk-sə-nīd) is an antiprotozoal medication primarily used to treat Cryptosporidium infections and Giardia infections. It is also being studied for its potential use in treating a variety of viral infections.
Etymology
The term "Nitazoxanide" is derived from the chemical name of the drug, which is 2-acetyloxy-N-(5-nitro-2-thiazolyl)benzamide.
Usage
Nitazoxanide is used to treat infections caused by the protozoa Cryptosporidium or Giardia. These infections often result in diarrhea, and Nitazoxanide works by interfering with the protozoa's ability to produce energy, effectively killing them.
Side Effects
Common side effects of Nitazoxanide include nausea, stomach pain, and diarrhea. In rare cases, it can cause more serious side effects such as severe allergic reactions.
Related Terms
- Antiprotozoal: A type of medication used to treat infections caused by protozoa.
- Cryptosporidium: A genus of protozoa that can cause gastrointestinal illness with diarrhea in humans.
- Giardia: A genus of protozoa that is responsible for giardiasis, a common cause of waterborne disease in humans worldwide.
See Also
- Antiparasitic: A drug used to treat parasitic infections.
- Protozoa: A group of single-celled, usually microscopic, eukaryotic organisms.
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Nitazoxanide
- Wikipedia's article - Nitazoxanide
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