title: Albendazole versus metronidazole in the treatment of patients with giardiasis in the Islamic Republic of Iran.
abstract: We examined the therapeutic effects of albendazole compared to metronidazole in 120 patients with giardiasis in Hamdan. Patients were randomized to receive albendazole (400 mg, once daily for 5 days) or metronidazole (250 mg, 3 times a day for 5 days). Demographic data of the patients, results of stool examination for Giardia trophozoites before and after treatment, and drug side-effects were recorded. After treatment 6 (10.0%) of the albendazole group had trophozoites compared with 14 (23.3%) of metronidazole group (P < 0.05). Patients in the albendazole group had fewer side-effects while 43.3% of the metronidazole group experienced a metallic taste and 35.0% experienced loss of appetite. Albendazole is an easy, safe and effective treatment for giardiasis.
authors.affiliation: Research Centre for Gastroenterology and Liver Disease, Shaheed Beheshti University of Medical Sciences and Health Services, Tehran, Islamic Republic of Iran. ahmaliver@yahoo.com
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Alizadeh
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ranjbar
authors.forename: K M
authors.initials: KM
authors.lastname: Kashani
authors.forename: M M
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Taheri
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Bodaghi
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D015766:Albendazole / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000855:Anorexia / Q000139:chemically induced; D000981:Antiprotozoal Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D005243:Feces / Q000469:parasitology; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005873:Giardiasis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000469:parasitology; D006801:Humans; D007492:Iran; D008297:Male; D008795:Metronidazole / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008875:Middle Aged; D012449:Safety; D016037:Single-Blind Method; D013651:Taste Disorders / Q000139:chemically induced; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014504:Urban Health
chemical_list: D000981:Antiprotozoal Agents; D008795:Metronidazole; D015766:Albendazole