Category:

• Miscellaneous

Description:

• Amebicide

Indications:

• Intestinal amebiasis

Contraindications:

• Hypersensitivity to iodine, renal disease, hepatic disease

• Severe thyroid disease, pre-existing optic neuropathy

Precautions:

• Pregnancy category C; excretion into breast milk unknown

• Thyroid disease

Adverse Reactions (Side Effects):

• CNS: agitation, headache, malaise, peripheral neuropathy

• EENT: blurred vision, optic atrophy, optic neuritis, retinal edema, sore throat

• GI: abdominal cramps, anal itching, diarrhea, epigastric distress, gastritis, nausea, rectal irritation, vomiting

• HEME: agranulocytosis (rare)

• SKIN: alopecia, discolored skin, hair, nails; pruritis, rash

• MISC: chills, fever, thyroid enlargement, vertigo

Dosage:

Administered orally: Poorly absorbed, excreted in feces

• Adult:   PO 650mg 3 times daily after meals for 20 days, not to exceed 2g daily

• Child:   PO 30-40 mg/kg/day in 3 divided doses for 20 days, not to exceed 1.95g in 24 hours for 20 days; do not repeat treatment before 2-3 weeks