Albendazole versus metronidazole in the treatment of patients with giardiasis in the Islamic Republic of Iran.
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.
Alizadeh
A
A
Research Centre for Gastroenterology and Liver Disease, Shaheed Beheshti University of Medical Sciences and Health Services, Tehran, Islamic Republic of Iran. ahmaliver@yahoo.com
Ranjbar
M
M
Kashani
K M
KM
Taheri
M M
MM
Bodaghi
M
M
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
D000981:Antiprotozoal Agents; D008795:Metronidazole; D015766:Albendazole