Giardiasis Treatment 

• Metronidazole (also known  as Flagyl) is a first-line  treatment (9) 

                           Dosage: Adult: 250mg per oral three times  a day, for 5-7 days
                           Child: 5 mg/kg per oral three times  a day, for 5-7 days (14)
                           Contraindications:  if patient has documented hypersensitivity, or pregnancy (there  are                                potential risks, must outweigh risks). (14) 

• Tinidazole (Tindamax)  is also  a first-line treatment 

                            Dosage: Adult:  2 g per oral once  with food (14)
                            Child: >3 yrs, 50mg/kg per oral once  with food (14)
                            Contraindications: documented hypersensitivity, first trimester pregnancy (14) 

• Nitazoxanide (also know as Alinia) inhibits trophozoite growth  by disrupting their energy       metabolism, is available in liquid form  for children. (14)

                            Dosage: Adult: 500 mg PO bid for 3 d (14) 
                            Child:  <1 yr:  not documented
                            1-4 years: 100 mg (5 mL) per oral every 12 hrs  for 3 days with food
                            4-11 years: 200 mg (10 mL) per oral every 12 hrs  for 3 days with food (14)
                           Contraindications: documented hypersensitivity 

• Paromomycin (Humatin)  may be used  to treat severe infections  in pregnant women, but has worse side effects  and long term  use is not recommended. (14)

                           Dosage: 25-30 mg/kg per oral three times  a day  for 7-10 days (same  for children) (14)
                           Contraindications: intestinal obstruction, hypersensitivity (14) 

• Furazolidone (Furoxone)  is available in liquid form, although  is less effective than other treatments,  and children should  be watched carefully for relapse (14) 

                            Dosage:  Adult:100 mg per oral four times  a day  for 7-10 days
                            Child: 6 mg/kg/d per oral divided four  times a day for 7-10 days (14) 
                            Contraindications: documented hypersensitivity 

• Also effective: albendazol  and mebendazole(9) 

  

Notes: Dr. Nelson Crumfield

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EditText of this page (last edited June 20, 2010)