FURAZOLIDONE

It is a nitrofuran compound, active against many gram negative bacilli including salmonella and shigella, also Giardia and Trichomonas. It is a less efficacious alternative in typhoid fever: 200 mg four times for a minimum period of two weeks.

Indications

Bacterial enteritis. Food poisoning. Diarrhoeas, Bacillary dysentery, Giardiasis.

Dosage

Adults: 100 mg 3 to 4 times daily. Children: 5 mg/kg body wt daily in 4 divided doses.

Contra-Indications

Intolerance to alcohol. Primaquine sensitivity. Infants below one month.

Special Precautions

Colouration of urine turns orange. Paediatrics : Use with caution. Pregnancy & Lactation: Use with caution. Elderly: Use with caution.

Side Effects

Nausea, headache, dizziness.

Drug Interactions

Hypertensive crisis with MAOIs and nasal decongestants. Causes orthostatic hypotension and hypoglycaemia with sedatives, antihistamines, tranquilizers and narcotics.