Nizonide (Nitazoxanide 500mg)

Nizonide general information

What is Nizonide used for?

Nizonide tablets 500mg are used to treat diarrhoea caused by infection with the parasitic protozoal (single cell) organism Giardia lamblia, causing Giardiasis or Cryptosporidium parvum, causing Cryptosporidiosis.  Both organisims live in the intestines and are passed in the faeces and can survive outside the body for long periods of time.  Infection is usually from food or water contaminated with faeces and is easily spread by contact and lack of good hygiene.  Symptoms of Giardiasis usually develop 9-15 days after infection and can last up to 6 weeks; they include diarrhoea, gas, greasy stools that tend to float, stomach or abdominal cramps, nausea, vomiting and dehydration due to loss of fluids, although in some cases there are no symptoms.  Symptoms of cryptosporidiosis usually develop 2-10 after infection and last for 1-2 weeks; they include watery diarrhoea, stomach cramps or pain, dehydration, nausea, vomiting, fever and weight loss.  Nizonide tablets 500mg kill the parasite and relieve the symptoms of infection.

How does Nizonide work?

Nizonide tablets 500mg contain nitazoxanide, a thiazolide class of drug that has broad-spectrum anti-parasitic and antiviral activity, and is used as an antiprotozoal to treat giardiasis and cryptosporidiosis to relieve symptoms and clear up the parasitic infection.  Nitazoxanide in Nizonide tablets 500mg and its active metabolite tizoxanide are thought to work by interfering with an enzyme activity (pyruvate:ferredoxin oxidoreductase (PFOR) enzyme-dependent electron transfer reaction) that promotes conversion of specific chemicals into an energy source needed for survival of the protozoal parasite.  This action of nitazoxanide in Nizonide tablets 500mg inhibits growth of the parasite, which kills the parasite and prevents spread of infection, allowing symptoms of infection to clear up for both giardiasis and cryptosporidiosis.  Nizonide tablets 500mg are effective for larval as well as adult stages of the lifecycle and are effective within 3 days of treatment.

What does Nizonide contain?

Nizonide tablets 500mg contain the active ingredient nitazoxanide, an antiprotozoal used to treat giardiasis and cryptosporidiosis to relieve symptoms and clear up the parasitic infection. 

Treating giardiasis and cryptosporidiosis with Nizonide

Nizonide tablets 500mg contain the antiprotozoal nitazoxanide, used to treat diarrhoea caused by infection with the parasitic protozoal (single cell) organism Giardia lamblia, causing Giardiasis or Cryptosporidium parvum, causing Cryptosporidiosis.  These parasitic infections are usually due to consuming food or water contaminated with faeces and are easily spread by contact and lack of good hygiene.  Symptoms of Giardiasis usually develop 9-15 days after infection and can last up to 6 weeks; they include diarrhoea, gas, greasy stools that tend to float, stomach or abdominal cramps, nausea, vomiting and dehydration due to loss of fluids, although in some cases there are no symptoms.  Symptoms of cryptosporidiosis usually develop 2-10 after infection and last for 1-2 weeks; they include watery diarrhoea, stomach cramps or pain, dehydration, nausea, vomiting, fever, weight loss.  Nitazoxanide in Nizonide tablets 500mg is are thought to work by interfering with the conversion of specific chemicals into an energy source needed for the parasitic protozoal cell survival.  This inhibits growth of the parasite, which kills the parasite and prevents spread of infection, allowing symptoms of infection to clear up for both giardiasis and cryptosporidiosis. 

What are the side effects of Nizonide?

The most commonly reported side effects when taking Nizonide tablets 500mg include, headache, stomach pain, upset stomach, change in colour of urine.

When should Nizonide not be used?

You should not use Nizonide tablets 500mg if you:

• are allergic to nitazoxanide or any ingredients in Nizonide
• are pregnant or are breastfeeding
• have kidney or liver disease
• are taking medicines that interact with Nizonide, including warfarin, which increases risk of drug toxicity

How should Nizonide be taken?

You should take your Nizonide tablets 500mg, swallowed whole with a glass of water and with food twice daily (every 12 hours) for 3 days.  Your symptoms should improve within 3 days, if not you should visit your doctor.

How long should you take Nizonide?

You should take your Nizonide tablets 500mg for 3 days and if your symptoms have not improved you should visit your doctor.

Missed dose of Nizonide

If you miss a dose of Nizonide tablets 500mg take it as soon as you remember, unless it is time to take the next dose, then skip the missed dose.  Do not take a double dose.

How should Nizonide be stored?

You should store your Nizonide tablets 500mg below 25°C in a cool dry place.