Diloxanide furoate 250 mg + Metronidazole 200 mg
Class: Luminal amoebicide + Nitroimidazole antibiotic combination
Manufacturer: Beta Healthcare International Limited
Dosage Form: Tablet
Similar Brands:
Uses:
Treatment of intestinal and extraintestinal amoebiasis (Entamoeba histolytica infection), including:
- Acute amoebic dysentery (bloody diarrhoea).
- Chronic intestinal amoebiasis (cyst passers).
- Amoebic liver abscess (adjunctive; metronidazole handles systemic invasion, diloxanide clears luminal cysts).
- Other protozoal infections where indicated (e.g., giardiasis or balantidiasis in some guidelines).
The combination targets both luminal (gut) and tissue/invasive forms for complete eradication. Not for bacterial diarrhoea without protozoal confirmation, viral gastroenteritis, or non-susceptible infections. Often used after initial metronidazole for cyst clearance.
Dosage:
Oral, with or after food (to minimize GI upset). Typical adult dose:
1 tablet (250 mg diloxanide furoate + 200 mg metronidazole) three times daily for 5–10 days.
Children (if advised): Weight-based (e.g., adjusted fraction of adult dose)—consult paediatrician; not routinely for infants.
Duration: Usually 5–10 days (complete full course to eradicate cysts); doctor may extend for hepatic abscess or recurrent cases. Follow-up stool exams may be needed.
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., check for allergens).
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., check for allergens).
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 300/-
Notes:
30s