Comparison of chloroquine, albendazole and tinidazole in the treatment of children with giardiasis.
In a comparative trial, 165 Cuban children with confirmed giardiasis were randomized to receive albendazole (400 mg/day for 5 days), chloroquine (10 mg/kg twice daily for 5 days) or tinidazole (50 mg/kg, as a single dose). Parasitological follow-up was based on faecal samples collected 7 and 10 days after the completion of treatment. The tinidazole and chloroquine appeared equally effective (P > 0.05), curing 91% and 86% of the children treated, respectively, and significantly better (P < 0.01) than the albendazole, which only cured 62% of the children given it. All three drugs were well accepted and tolerated, with only mild, transient and self-limiting side-effects reported. Chloroquine appears to be a good alternative to tinidazole for the treatment of paediatric patients with giardiasis.
Escobedo
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Departamento de Parasitología, Hospital Pediatrico 'Pedro Borrás', Calle F No 616 esquina a 27, Plaza Ciudad de La Habana, CP 10400, Cuba. escobedo@informed.sld.cu
Núñez
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FA
Moreira
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I
Vega
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E
Pareja
A
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Almirall
P
P
D000293:Adolescent; D015766:Albendazole / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000981:Antiprotozoal Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D002738:Chloroquine / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005243:Feces / Q000469:parasitology; D005260:Female; D005873:Giardiasis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D014011:Tinidazole / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000981:Antiprotozoal Agents; D014011:Tinidazole; D002738:Chloroquine; D015766:Albendazole