Furazolidone

Mechanism :

Furazolidone is one of the synthetic antimicrobial nitrofurans. It has a broad antibacterial spectrum covering the majority of gastrointestinal tract pathogens including E. coli, staphylococci, Salmonella, Shigella, Proteus, Vibrio cholerae and Giardia lamblia. Its bactericidal activity is due to the interference with several bacterial enzyme systems; this antimicrobial action minimizes the development of resistant organisms.

Indication :

• Protozoal diarrhea such as giardiasis

Contraindications :

Known hypersensitivity to furazolidone is a contraindication for its use. It may cause mild, reversible intravascular hemolysis in G6PD deficient patients. Furazolidone should not be given to infants<1 month of age because of the possibility of producing hemolytic anemia. Furazolidone is a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI) and concomitant use indirect acting sympathomimetic amines should be done with caution, and consumption of food and drink containing tyramine should be observed.

Dosing :

Adverse Effect :

Hypersensitivity reactions (hypotension, urticaria, arthralgia, fever, and a vesicular morbilliform rash), nausea, headache, emesis, malaise, disulfiram-like reaction to alcohol.

Interaction :

Alcohol: A disulfiram-like reaction has been re­ported in patients consuming alcohol whilst on furazolidone, alcohol should be avoided for the duration of treat­ment and for 4 days thereafter to pre­vent this reaction.

Hepatic Dose :