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What Is Nitazoxanide?

Nitazoxanide is a prescription antiprotozoal medication used to treat diarrhea caused by Giardia lamblia or Cryptosporidium parvum. It is available as 500 mg oral tablets and an oral suspension. The tablets are approved for patients aged 12 years and older, while the suspension can be used in children aged one year and older. Nitazoxanide is not intended for every cause of diarrhea and should be used for infections within its approved indications.

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What Is Nitazoxanide?

Nitazoxanide is a prescription antiprotozoal medication used to treat diarrhea caused by Giardia lamblia or Cryptosporidium parvum. It is available as 500 mg oral tablets and an oral suspension. The tablets are approved for patients aged 12 years and older, while the suspension can be used in children aged one year and older. Nitazoxanide is not intended for every cause of diarrhea and should be used for infections within its approved indications.

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How Does Nitazoxanide Work?

Nitazoxanide is converted in the body to an active metabolite called tizoxanide. The medication interferes with energy metabolism in susceptible parasites, including reactions involving the pyruvate ferredoxin oxidoreductase enzyme-dependent electron transfer pathway. Disrupting these metabolic processes helps inhibit the growth and survival of Giardia and Cryptosporidium. Nitazoxanide acts against specific intestinal pathogens rather than serving as a general treatment for all bacterial or viral gastrointestinal infections.

What Infections Does Nitazoxanide Treat?

Nitazoxanide is approved to treat diarrhea caused by Giardia lamblia and Cryptosporidium parvum. These parasites can spread through contaminated water, food, or contact with infected individuals and can cause watery diarrhea, abdominal discomfort, and dehydration. Nitazoxanide has not been demonstrated to be effective for Cryptosporidium-related diarrhea in patients with HIV infection or other forms of immunodeficiency. Proper diagnosis and attention to hydration are important during treatment.

How Should Nitazoxanide Be Taken?

Patients aged 12 years and older generally take one 500 mg nitazoxanide tablet every 12 hours with food for three days. Younger children receive age-appropriate doses of the oral suspension. For children aged one through three years, the labeled suspension dose is 100 mg every 12 hours, while children aged four through 11 years receive 200 mg every 12 hours, both for three days. The 500 mg tablets should not be given to children younger than 12 years.

What Are the Side Effects and Precautions of Nitazoxanide?

Common side effects include abdominal pain, headache, nausea, and changes in urine color. Nitazoxanide can also cause allergic reactions in susceptible patients. People with underlying liver or kidney problems should discuss their medical history with the prescriber because clinical information in these populations is limited. Drug interactions can occur with certain medications that are highly bound to blood proteins. Persistent diarrhea, signs of dehydration, or worsening symptoms require medical evaluation.

Common Questions About Nitazoxanide

Is nitazoxanide an antibiotic?

Nitazoxanide is classified as an antiprotozoal medication. It is approved to treat diarrhea caused by the parasites Giardia lamblia and Cryptosporidium parvum.

How long does nitazoxanide treatment last?

The usual treatment course is three days, with doses administered every 12 hours. The prescribed amount depends on age and formulation.

Can children take nitazoxanide?

Yes. The oral suspension is approved for children aged one year and older. The 500 mg tablets are intended for patients aged 12 years and older.

Does nitazoxanide treat all types of diarrhea?

No. Nitazoxanide is approved for diarrhea caused by Giardia lamblia or Cryptosporidium parvum. Other causes of diarrhea require different management.

References

DailyMed - ALINIA (nitazoxanide) powder for suspension. https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/drugInfo.cfm?setid=e90f98d9-3c9b-4e75-ba18-5517283eadf0. Date Accessed October 19, 2026.

DailyMed - NITAZOXANIDE tablet, film coated. https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/drugInfo.cfm?setid=295011e1-f919-4e5a-b9e7-4c784f623a86. Date Accessed October 19, 2026.

Nitazoxanide. MedlinePlus. https://medlineplus.gov/druginfo/meds/a603017.html. Date Accessed October 19, 2026.

Nitazoxanide. PubChem. https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/compound/Nitazoxanide. Date Accessed October 19, 2026.

Patient Care for Giardia Infection. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. https://www.cdc.gov/giardia/hcp/clinical-care/. Date Accessed October 19, 2026.