| Abstract: | ![]()
Furazolidone, a synthietic nitrofuran, is active against a broad spectrum of bacteria and Giardia lamblia. Since 1954, furazolidone has been used almost exclusively for the specific and symptomatic treatment of infectious diarrheal diseases. Diarrheal disease is the leading cause of death of children and a major contributing factor of malnutrition in the developing world. It can be avoided with proper water and waste treatment, personal hygiene, and food preparation. The most critical aspect of treating acute diarrhea is maintaining optimal hydration and electrolyte balance. Fluid and electrolyte replenishment must constitute the 1st line of therapy. Antimicrobial therapy, however, improves the outlook further. Effective antimicrobials reduce the average duration of illness and the likelihood of relapses, complications and death. The ideal antimicrobial for treating acute diarrhea is a single broad-spectrum antimicrobial agent of low toxicity that would be effective for empirical treatment of acute diarrheal disease. During 30 years of clinical use worldwide, the effectiveness of furazolidone has shown to be comparable or superior to that of other drugs used to treat these diseases. Because furazolidone has fairly low toxicity, it is a relatively safe drug. The most common reaction appears to be gastrointestinal distress, though dizziness, drowsiness, headaches, and general malaise have also been reported. A drug that acts specifically on its target is generally preferable to one with less specific activity. Furazolidone inhibits a variety of bacterial enzymes, an activity that minimizes the development of resistant organisms. Furazolidone is a single, broad-spectrum antimicrobial that is effective, relatively safe, specific, and is orally administered in tablet or suspension form. |
