Gene/Protein Disease Symptom Drug Enzyme Compound
Pivot Concepts:   Target Concepts:
Query: UMLS:C0017536 (giardiasis)
 1,714 document(s) hit in 31,850,051 MEDLINE articles (0.00 seconds)

The therapeutic effects of quinacrine (Atabrine) and metronidazole (Flagyl) were compared in a 3-year prospective study of 160 infants and children (86 boys and 74 girls ranging in age from 4.5 months to 13 years) with giardiasis. The most common symptom was recurrent abdominal pain. In each study group stool examinations were done 5 days, 1 month, and 6 months after treatment. There were no treatment failures with metronidazole, whereas four of those treated with quinacrine had positive stools 5 days after treatment, indicating possible failure. There were no recurrences at 1 month; after 6 months, however, Giardia infection was found in 13% of both treatment groups. These recurrences were seen mainly in children from families with other infected members. Considering the low failure rate, the minimal side effects, and the relatively more tolerable flavor, metronidazole seems to be preferrable in the treatment of giardiasis. A dosage of 15-25 mg/kg a day for 5 days is recommended.
 ...
PMID:Giardiasis in infancy and childhood: a prospective study of 160 cases with comparison of quinacrine (Atabrine) and metronidazole (Flagyl). 43 10

Giardia lamblia has emerged as the most common intestinal parasite in the United States. This article presents a brief review of the clinically important aspects of giardiasis and evaluates the currently used therapeutic agents. Three drugs have been advocated for the treatment of giardiasis; furazolidone (Furoxone), metronidazole (Flagyl), and quinacrine (Atabrine). None of them, however, is ideal. Metronidazole and quinacrine are more effective than furazolidone, but furazolidone has the advantage of a liquid formulation that makes administration to children easier. Quinacrine is much less expensive than the other two agents but has a somewhat higher rate of side effects and a bitter taste. There is concern about the carcinogenic potential of furazolidone and metronidazole, but this has not been evaluated for quinacrine. In the balance, we conclude that quinacrine is probably the preferable drug to use in the pediatric age group because of proven effectiveness and lower cost.
 ...
PMID:Treatment of giardiasis: literature review and recommendations. 704 42