Dosage Forms 

This medicine is available as a liquid and a tablet. 

Pharmacologic Category 

Antiprotozoal 

What key warnings  should I know about before giving this medicine  to my child? 

This medicine does not mix well with many medicines. Serious reactions may occur. Check all medicines with child's healthcare provider. 

Is it safe for my child to take  this medicine? 

• Not if your child  is younger than 1 year old. 
• Not if your child has an allergy  to furazolidone  or any other part of this medicine. 
• Be sure to let healthcare provider know if your child has any allergies or reactions to medicine, food preservatives, or dyes. Make sure to tell about the allergy and how it affected your child.  This includes telling about rash; hives; itching; shortness of breath; wheezing; cough; swelling of face, lips, tongue, or throat; or any  other symptoms involved. 
• Not if  your child is taking any alcohol-containing medicine. 
• If your child cannot follow the diet guidelines needed when taking this medicine. See How Is This Medicine Given?  for more details.

Why does my child need  this medicine? 

This  medicine is used to treat diarrhea. 

How does this medicine work? 

Furazolidone works to injure the organisms and fight the infection. 

How is this medicine given? 

• To gain the most benefit, do not miss giving your child doses. 
• Give prescription  as directed, even if your child is feeling better. 
• Your child should follow diet instructions. Certain foods  and drinks taken with higher doses of this medicine can cause very dangerous reactions such as sudden high blood pressure. To prevent these problems, get  a list of foods  to avoid from a nutritionist. 
• Have  your child avoid eating aged cheeses  and meats, soy sauce, soy bean including paste, Miso soup, Italian green beans (fava beans), snowpea or broad bean pods, sauerkraut, kimchee, or concentrated yeast extracts (Marmite). 
• Have  your child follow diet for at least 2 weeks after medicine is stopped to prevent problems. 
• Children who have feeding tubes can also use the liquid. Flush the feeding tube before and after medicine is given. 
• Measure liquid doses carefully. Use measuring device that comes with the medicine. If none is available, get an oral syringe, a medicine dropper, a medicine spoon,  or a medicine cup (only for older children) from your pharmacist. 

How long does this medicine take  to work? 

Your child may start feeling better several days after starting this medicine. 

What  do I do if my child misses a dose? (does  not apply to patients in the hospital) 

• Give a missed dose  as soon as possible. 
• If it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and return to your child's regular schedule. 
• Do not give a double dose  or extra doses. 

What safety measures should I  take while my child is using this medicine? 

• Check  your child's medicines with healthcare provider. This medicine may not mix well with other medicines. 
• Do not give your child alcohol containing products such as cough syrup  for at least 4 days after the last dose. Cramps, nausea, headaches, and flushing may occur. 
• Be careful if your child has G6PD deficiency. Anemia may occur. 
• Limit your child's caffeine and chocolate intake. Use with  this medicine may cause nervousness, shakiness, and fast heartbeat. 

What are some possible side effects of this medicine? 

• Headache. 
• Nausea or vomiting. Small frequent meals and frequent mouth care may help. Older children may suck hard, sugar-free candy. 
• Belly pain. 
• Change  in color  of urine  to brown or orange. 

What should I monitor? 

• Change in condition being treated. Is it better, worse, or  about the same? 
• For the occurrence  of side effects. 
• If your child is diabetic,  this medicine may interfere with Clinitest®. Use another method of urine glucose testing like Clinistix® or Tes-Tape®. 

When should I call my child's healthcare provider? 

• If any of  this information causes you to be concerned, any of  the common side effects occur, or if your child's symptoms do not improve after taking this medicine. 
• If you suspect an overdose, call your local poison control center or emergency department immediately. 
• If your child shows signs  of a life-threatening reaction, call healthcare provider or emergency department immediately. These include wheezing; chest tightness; fever; itching; bad cough; blue skin color; fits; swelling  of face, lips, tongue, or throat; or if your child exhibits any other unusual behavior. 
• If your child has severe belly pain. 
• If your child has severe nausea or vomiting. 
• If your child has a severe headache. 
• If your child has joint pain or swelling. 
• If your child develops a rash. 
• No improvement in condition or if you believe your child's condition is worse. 

How should I store and/or dispose of this medicine? 

• Store tablets at room temperature. 
• Protect tablets  from moisture. Do not store  in a bathroom or kitchen. 
• Store liquid (suspension) at room temperature.  Throw away any unused portion after 1 week. 
• General statements 
• If your child has a life-threatening allergy, he/she should wear allergy identification at all times. 
• This medicine  is available by prescription only. If there are refills, contact your pharmacy. If  no refills remain, you may need  to contact your child's healthcare provider. 
• This medicine  should be thrown out when your child no longer needs it or if the medicine becomes outdated. 
• Most medicines can be thrown away in household trash after mixing with coffee grounds or kitty litter and sealing in a plastic bag. 
• Do not share your child's medicine with others and do not give anyone else's medicine to your child. 
• Keep all medicine out of the reach of children and pets. 
• Many medications interact with other medications.  Keep a list of  all your child's medicines (prescription, natural products, supplements, vitamins, over-the-counter)  with you. Give this list to  your child's healthcare provider (doctor, nurse, nurse practitioner, pharmacist, physician assistant). 
• Call your  doctor for medical advice about side effects. You  may report side effects  to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or in Canada  to Health Canada's Canada Vigilance Program at 1-866-234-2345. 
• Talk with  your child's healthcare provider before giving him/her any new medicine, including over-the-counter, natural products, or vitamins. 
• Medicine can be dangerous if used incorrectly. Follow directions given by healthcare provider.