title: Nitroheterocyclic drugs with broad spectrum activity.
abstract: The group of biologically active nitroheterocyclic compounds includes various 5- and 2-nitroimidazoles and 5-nitrofurans, which can be used as therapeutic agents against a variety of protozoan and bacterial (anaerobic) infections of humans and animals. The current status in the the treatment of giardiasis, trichomoniasis, balantidiasis, histomoniasis, and amebiasis (including infections due to opportunistic amebas) is presented. The most relevant drugs (benznidazole, furazolidone, metronidazole, misonidazole, nifurtimox, nimorazole, nitazoxanide, ornidazole, secnidazole, and tinidazole) are characterized with regard to their chemical, chemotherapeutic, toxicological, pharmacokinetic, and pharmacological properties, including the mechanism of action and resistance in certain parasitic protozoa.
authors.affiliation: Aventis Pharma AG, 65926 Frankfurt am Main, Germany.
authors.forename: W
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Raether
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Hänel
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000890:Anti-Infective Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000981:Antiprotozoal Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004350:Drug Residues; D015507:Drugs, Investigational; D006571:Heterocyclic Compounds / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D009574:Nitro Compounds / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011528:Protozoan Infections / Q000188:drug therapy; D011529:Protozoan Infections, Animal / Q000188:drug therapy
chemical_list: D000890:Anti-Infective Agents; D000981:Antiprotozoal Agents; D015507:Drugs, Investigational; D006571:Heterocyclic Compounds; D009574:Nitro Compounds