MedlinePlus Drug Information: Nitazoxanide

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Other drug names:	A-Am An-Az B C-Ch Ci-Cz D-Dh Di-Dz E F G H I-J K-L M-Mh Mi-Mz N-Nh Ni-Nz O P-Pl Pm-Pz Q-R S-Sn So-Sz T-To Tp-Tz U-V W-Z 0-9

Nitazoxanide

(nye ta zox' ah nide)

Brand name(s): Alinia

Contents of this page:
Why is this medication prescribed? How should this medicine be used? Other uses for this medicine What special precautions should I follow? What special dietary instructions should I follow?	What should I do if I forget a dose? What side effects can this medication cause? What storage conditions are needed for this medicine? In case of emergency/overdose What other information should I know?

Why is this medication prescribed?

Nitazoxanide is used to treat certain types of infectious diarrhea in children between the ages of 1 and 11 years. Nitazoxanide is in a class of medications called antiprotozoals. It works by stopping the growth of the infecting organisms.

How should this medicine be used?

Nitazoxanide comes as a suspension (liquid) to take by mouth. It is usually taken with food every 12 hours for 3 days. Follow the directions on your child's prescription label carefully, and ask your child's doctor or pharmacist to explain any part you do not understand. Give nitazoxanide exactly as directed. Do not give more or less of it or give it more often than prescribed by your child's doctor.

Shake the liquid well before each use to mix the medication evenly.

Give nitazoxanide until your child finishes the prescription, even if he or she feels better.

Other uses for this medicine

This medication may be prescribed for other uses; ask your child's doctor or pharmacist for more information.

What special precautions should I follow?

Before giving nitazoxanide,

tell your child's doctor and pharmacist if your child is allergic to nitazoxanide, strawberries, or any other medications.
tell your child's doctor and pharmacist what prescription and nonprescription medications, vitamins, nutritional supplements, and herbal products your child is taking. Be sure to mention any of the following: diazepam (Valium), phenytoin (Dilantin), propranolol (Inderal), quinidine (Cardioquin, Quinaglute, Quinidex), and warfarin (Coumadin). Your child's doctor may need to change the doses of his or her medications or monitor him or her carefully for side effects.
tell your doctor if your child has or has ever had any disease that affects the immune system such as cancer, human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS), or severe combined immunodeficiency syndrome (SCID); diabetes; or kidney or liver disease.
tell your doctor if your child is pregnant, may become pregnant, or is breast-feeding. If your child becomes pregnant while taking nitazoxanide, call her doctor.

What special dietary instructions should I follow?

Unless his or her doctor tells you otherwise, your child should continue his or her normal diet.

What should I do if I forget a dose?

Give the missed dose as soon as you remember it. However, if it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and continue the regular dosing schedule. Do not give a double dose to make up for a missed one.

What side effects can this medication cause?

Nitazoxanide may cause side effects. Tell your child's doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away:

stomach pain
diarrhea
vomiting
headache

Nitazoxanide may cause other side effects. Call your child's doctor if he or she has any unusual problems while taking this medication.

What storage conditions are needed for this medicine?

Keep this medication in the container it came in, tightly closed, and out of reach of children. Store it at room temperature and away from excess heat and moisture (not in the bathroom). Throw away any unused medication after finishing the prescribed number of doses or after 7 days. Talk to your pharmacist about the proper disposal of this medication.

In case of emergency/overdose

In case of overdose, call your local poison control center at 1-800-222-1222. If the victim has collapsed or is not breathing, call local emergency services at 911.

What other information should I know?

Keep all appointments with your child's doctor.

Do not let anyone else take your child's medication. Your child's prescription is probably not refillable. If your child still has symptoms of infection after he or she finishes the nitazoxanide, call his or her doctor.

Last Revised - 07/01/2003

American Society of Health-System Pharmacists, Inc. Disclaimer