A randomized trial comparing mebendazole and secnidazole for the treatment of giardiasis.
To compare the efficacy of the two drugs in the treatment of giardiasis, 146 children (aged 5-15 years) with confirmed Giardia lamblia infection were randomly allotted to treatment with mebendazole (200 mg three times daily for 3 days) or secnidazole (30 mg/kg, in a single dose). Parasitological response to treatment was evaluated in each child by the microscopical examination of faecal samples collected 3, 5 and 7 days after he or she had completed treatment. Although the frequency of cure was higher for secnidazole (79.4%) than for mebendazole (78.1%), the difference was not statistically significant (P > 0.05). Both treatment regimens were well tolerated, with only mild, transient and self-limiting side-effects reported. Mebendazole may be preferable to secnidazole in the treatment of giardiasis cases who have an history of intolerance to 5-nitromidazoles, and where infections with Giardia and soil-transmitted helminths frequently co-occur.
Escobedo
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AA
Departamento de Parasitología, Hospital Pediátrico Pedro Borrás, Calle F No. 616 esquina a 27, Plaza, Ciudad de La Habana, CP 10400, Cuba. escobedo@infomed.sld.cu
Cañete
R
R
Gonzalez
M E
ME
Pareja
A
A
Cimerman
S
S
Almirall
P
P
D000293:Adolescent; D000981:Antiprotozoal Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005243:Feces / Q000469:parasitology; D005260:Female; D005873:Giardiasis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000469:parasitology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008463:Mebendazole / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008795:Metronidazole / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000981:Antiprotozoal Agents; D008795:Metronidazole; D008463:Mebendazole; C016724:secnidazole