Diloxanide furoate adverse effects

Of the dichloroacetamides diloxanide furoate, clefamide, teclozan and etofamide the most frequently used agent is diloxanide furoate. It is the luminal amoebicide of choice in chronic intestinal amoebiasis, however it lacks efficacy acute intestinal amoebiasis. Its mechanism of action is unknown. Given orally, diloxanide is formed by bacterial hydrolases. Diloxanide is for 90% absorbed and then metabolized to diloxanide glucuronide. The remaining 10% remains in the intestine as the active drug. Diloxanide is generally well tolerated. Adverse effects include flatulence, nausea and abdominal cramps. 

Diloxanide furoate is considered by many the drug of choice for asymptomatic luminal infections. It is not available commercially in the USA, but can be obtained from some compounding pharmacies. It is used with a tissue amebicide, usually metronidazole, to treat serious intestinal and extraintestinal infections. Diloxanide furoate does not produce serious adverse effects. Flatulence is common, but nausea and abdominal cramps are infrequent and rashes are rare. The drug is not recommended in pregnancy. 

Diloxanide furoate [dye LOX a nide] is useful in the treatment of asymptomatic passers of cysts. Its only indication is in the treatment of intestinal amebiasis. After oral administration, diloxanide furoate is hydrolyzed in the intestinal mucosa, and the diloxanide is about 90% absorbed. However, the unabsorbed drug is the active amebicide. Adverse effects are mild. They include flatulence, dryness of the mouth, pruritus, and urticaria. The drug is contraindicated in pregnant women and children under 2 years of age. 

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