No

Amebicide

Treatment of acute and chronic intestinal amebiasis; asymptomatic cyst passers; Blastocystis hominis infections; ineffective for amebic hepatitis or hepatic abscess

C

Known hypersensitivity to iodine or iodoquinol; hepatic damage; pre-existing optic neuropathy

Optic neuritis, optic atrophy, and peripheral neuropathy have occurred following prolonged use; avoid long-term therapy

>10%: Gastrointestinal: Diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, stomach pain

1% to 10%:

Central nervous system: Fever, chills, agitation, retrograde amnesia, headache

Dermatologic: Rash, urticaria

Endocrine & metabolic: Thyroid gland enlargement

Neuromuscular & skeletal: Peripheral neuropathy, weakness

Ocular: Optic neuritis, optic atrophy, visual impairment

Miscellaneous: Itching of rectal area

Chronic overdose can result in vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, metallic taste, paresthesias, paraplegia, and loss of vision; can lead to destruction of the long fibers of the spinal cord and optic nerve

Acute overdose: Delirium, stupor, coma, amnesia

Following GI decontamination, treatment is symptomatic

No data reported

Contact amebicide that works in the lumen of the intestine by an unknown mechanism

Absorption: Oral: Poor and irregular

Metabolism: In the liver

Elimination: High percentage of the dose excreted in feces

Oral:

Adults: 650 mg 3 times/day after meals for 20 days; not to exceed 1.95 g/day

Should be administered after meals

Ophthalmologic exam

May increase protein-bound serum iodine concentrations reflecting a decrease in ¹³¹I uptake; false-positive ferric chloride test for phenylketonuria

May cause agitation or amnesia

None reported

No information available to require special precautions

No effects or complications reported

Take as directed; complete full course of therapy. Maintain adequate hydration (2-3 L/day of fluids unless instructed to restrict fluid intake) and nutrition. If GI upset occurs, small frequent meals, frequent mouth care, sucking lozenges, or chewing gum may help. Report unresolved or severe nausea or vomiting, skin rash, fever, or fatigue. Pregnancy/breast-feeding precautions: Inform prescriber if you are or intend to be pregnant. Consult prescriber if breast-feeding.

Tablets may be crushed and mixed with applesauce or chocolate syrup

Powder: 25 g

Tablet: 210 mg, 650 mg

"Drugs for Parasitic Infections," Med Lett Drugs Ther, 1993, 35(911):111-22.