Treatment of diarrhea caused by Giardia intestinalis and Entamoeba histolytica or E. dispar: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study of nitazoxanide.

A prospective randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study was conducted to assess the efficacy and safety of nitazoxanide in the treatment of diarrhea caused by Giardia intestinalis or Entamoeba histolytica and/or E. dispar in 89 adults and adolescents, 22 of whom were diagnosed with G. intestinalis, 53 with E. histolytica and/or E. dispar, and 14 with both G. intestinalis and E. histolytica and/or E. dispar. The study medication was administered as 1 nitazoxanide 500-mg tablet or a matching placebo twice daily for 3 days. Thirty-eight (81%) of 47 patients in the nitazoxanide treatment group resolved diarrhea within 7 days (median, 3 days) after initiation of treatment, versus 17 (40%) of 42 in the placebo group (P=.0002). With its efficacy in treating a broad spectrum of enteric protozoan pathogens, nitazoxanide could play an important role in the management of diarrhea caused by enteric protozoa, reducing morbidity and costs associated with these diarrheal illnesses.

RCT Entities:   Population Interventions Outcomes