Diloxanide furoate 250 mg + Metronidazole 200 mg per 5 mL
Class: Luminal amoebicide + Nitroimidazole antibiotic combination
Manufacturer: Beta Healthcare International Limited
Dosage Form: Suspenson
Similar Brands:
Uses:
Treatment of intestinal and hepatic amoebiasis (Entamoeba histolytica infection), including:
- Acute amoebic dysentery (bloody diarrhoea).
- Chronic intestinal amoebiasis.
- Amoebic liver abscess (adjunctive with metronidazole’s systemic action).
- Other protozoal infections where indicated (e.g., giardiasis, balantidiasis—off-label in some guidelines).
Diloxanide targets luminal forms in the gut; metronidazole treats invasive/tissue forms. Not for bacterial diarrhoea without protozoal confirmation or viral gastroenteritis. Often used after initial metronidazole course for cyst clearance.
Dosage:
Oral, with or after food (to reduce GI upset). Typical (follow label/doctor exactly):
Adults: 10 mL (2 teaspoonfuls) three times daily for 5–10 days.
Children (if advised): Weight-based (e.g., 5 mL three times daily for older children)—consult paediatrician; not routinely for infants.
Duration: Usually 5–10 days (complete full course to eradicate cysts); doctor may extend for hepatic abscess. Take with meals; do not skip doses to prevent resistance/recurrence.
Adults: 10 mL (2 teaspoonfuls) three times daily for 5–10 days.
Children (if advised): Weight-based (e.g., 5 mL three times daily for older children)—consult paediatrician; not routinely for infants.
Duration: Usually 5–10 days (complete full course to eradicate cysts); doctor may extend for hepatic abscess. Take with meals; do not skip doses to prevent resistance/recurrence.
Side Effects:
Common (mild/transient): Nausea, vomiting, metallic taste (from metronidazole), abdominal pain/cramps, diarrhoea, headache, dizziness.
Less common: Loss of appetite, dry mouth, dark urine (harmless from metronidazole), rash.
Serious (rare, seek immediate care): Severe allergic reactions (rash, swelling, breathing difficulty), peripheral neuropathy (tingling/numbness—prolonged metronidazole), seizures (high doses), severe diarrhoea (C. difficile), liver toxicity (jaundice), or disulfiram-like reaction with alcohol (flushing, vomiting, headache).
Less common: Loss of appetite, dry mouth, dark urine (harmless from metronidazole), rash.
Serious (rare, seek immediate care): Severe allergic reactions (rash, swelling, breathing difficulty), peripheral neuropathy (tingling/numbness—prolonged metronidazole), seizures (high doses), severe diarrhoea (C. difficile), liver toxicity (jaundice), or disulfiram-like reaction with alcohol (flushing, vomiting, headache).
Warnings & Precautions:
Avoid alcohol completely during treatment and for 48 hours after (disulfiram-like reaction).
Caution in severe liver disease (metronidazole metabolism), neurological disorders (peripheral neuropathy risk), or blood dyscrasias.
Not for viral/bacterial gastroenteritis without protozoal confirmation.
Monitor for neurological symptoms with prolonged use.
Not for long-term/repeated courses without doctor (resistance/neuropathy risk).
Contains excipients (e.g., sweeteners—caution in diabetes).
Caution in severe liver disease (metronidazole metabolism), neurological disorders (peripheral neuropathy risk), or blood dyscrasias.
Not for viral/bacterial gastroenteritis without protozoal confirmation.
Monitor for neurological symptoms with prolonged use.
Not for long-term/repeated courses without doctor (resistance/neuropathy risk).
Contains excipients (e.g., sweeteners—caution in diabetes).
Pregnancy & Lactation:
Pregnancy: Avoid in first trimester (metronidazole teratogenicity concerns in animals); use only if clearly needed in later trimesters—consult doctor.
Lactation: Metronidazole excreted in milk—avoid breastfeeding during treatment and 24–48 hours after last dose; pump/discard milk.
Lactation: Metronidazole excreted in milk—avoid breastfeeding during treatment and 24–48 hours after last dose; pump/discard milk.
Drug Interactions:
Alcohol: Severe disulfiram-like reaction—avoid.
Warfarin: Enhanced anticoagulation (bleeding risk—monitor INR).
Lithium: Increased levels/toxicity.
Phenytoin/phenobarbital: Altered levels.
CYP450 inhibitors/inducers: Affect metronidazole metabolism.
Warfarin: Enhanced anticoagulation (bleeding risk—monitor INR).
Lithium: Increased levels/toxicity.
Phenytoin/phenobarbital: Altered levels.
CYP450 inhibitors/inducers: Affect metronidazole metabolism.
Contraindications:
Hypersensitivity to diloxanide furoate, metronidazole, nitroimidazoles, or excipients.
First trimester of pregnancy (relative—consult doctor).
Active neurological disease (e.g., severe CNS disorders).
Blood dyscrasias.
First trimester of pregnancy (relative—consult doctor).
Active neurological disease (e.g., severe CNS disorders).
Blood dyscrasias.
Price: Ksh 60/-
Notes:
100 mL bottle with measuring spoon/cup. Shake well before each use.