Nitazoxanide

Nitazoxanide, also known by the brand name Alinia, is a synthetic nitrothiazolyl-salicylamide derivative and an anti-protozoal agent. It is approved for treatment of infectious diarrhea caused by Cryptosporidium parvum and Giardia lamblia in patients 1 year of age and older. Following oral administration it is rapidly hydrolyzed to its active metabolite, tizoxanide, which is 99% protein bound. Peak concentrations are observed 1-4 hours after administration. It is excreted in the urine, bile and feces. Untoward effects include abdominal pain, vomiting and diarrhea. (In Vitro) :Giardia lamblia, a flagellated protozoan, is the most common causative agent of persistent diarrhea worldwide.Nitazoxanide exhibits effect on G. lamblia trophozoite proliferation in axenic culture with an IC50 of 2.4 μM. (In Vivo) :Nitazoxanide exhibits a wide spectrum of in vivo activity against a broad spectrum of intestinal parasites, such as Giardia lamblia, Entamoeba histolytica, Trichomonas vaginalis, the apicomplexan Cryptosporidium parvum, and enteric bacteria infecting animals and humans.Nitazoxanide (50, 75 or 100 mg/kg/day; administered daily by intragastric for up to 25 days) reduces the mortality of Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV) strain-infected mice and protected mice from a lethal dose challenge of JEV.