NITAZOXANIDE - ORAL TABLET
Common Brand Name(s): Alinia
Phonetic Pronunciation: (nih-tah-ZOX-ah-nide)
Information last revised May 2010
What does NITAZOXANIDE - ORAL TABLET look like?
Alinia 500 mg Tab
Uses:
This medication is used to treat diarrhea due to certain intestinal parasitic infections (i.e., Cryptosporidium parvum and Giardia lamblia).
Missed Dose
If you miss a dose, use it as soon as you remember. If it is near the time of the next dose, skip the missed dose and resume your usual dosing schedule. Do not double the dose to catch up.
How To Use
Take this medication by mouth every 12 hours for 3 days with food, or as directed by your doctor. Children less than 11 years of age should not take these tablets. Instead, they should take nitazoxanide suspension. Antibiotics work best when the amount of medicine in your body is kept at a constant level. Therefore, take this drug at evenly spaced intervals. Continue to take this medication until the full-prescribed amount is finished even if symptoms disappear after a few doses. Stopping this medication too early may allow the parasites to continue to grow, which may result in a relapse of the infection. Inform your doctor if your condition worsens or does not improve.
Drug Interactions
Your healthcare professionals (e.g., doctor or pharmacist) may already be aware of any possible drug interactions and may be monitoring you for it. Do not start, stop or change the dosage of any medicine before checking with them first. Before using this medication, tell the doctor or pharmacist of all prescription and nonprescription products you may use. Keep a list of all your medications with you, and share the list with your doctor and pharmacist.
Notes
Do not share this medication with others. This medication has been prescribed for your current condition only. Do not use it later for another infection unless told to do so by the doctor. A different medication may be necessary in those cases. Remember to drink plenty of fluids to keep from becoming dehydrated from your diarrhea. Do not replace fluids with non-pasteurized milk or juices. If you are not sure of the right kinds of fluids to drink, ask your doctor or pharmacist. Also, avoid eating uncooked meats, eggs, or shellfish.
Overdose
If overdose is suspected, contact your local poison control center or emergency room immediately. US residents can call the US national poison hotline at 1-800-222-1222. Canadian residents should call their local poison control center directly.
Precautions
Before taking nitazoxanide, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to it or if you have any other allergies. This product may contain inactive ingredients, which can cause allergic reactions or other problems. Talk to your pharmacist for more details. Before using this medication, tell the doctor or pharmacist your medical history, especially of: liver disease, kidney disease, weak immune system (e.g., HIV infection). Do not take over-the-counter medications to treat diarrhea without first checking with your doctor or pharmacist. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant before using this medication. It is not known whether this medication passes into breast milk. Consult your doctor before breast-feeding.
Storage
Store at room temperature at 77 degrees F (25 degrees C) away from light and moisture. Brief storage between 59-86 degrees F (15-30 degrees C) is permitted. Do not store in the bathroom. Keep all medicines away from children and pets. Do not flush medications down the toilet or pour them into a drain unless instructed to do so. Properly discard this product when it is expired or no longer needed. Consult your pharmacist or local waste disposal company for more details about how to safely discard your product.
Side Effects
This medication is generally well tolerated when taken as directed. Remember that your doctor has prescribed this medication because he or she has judged that the benefit to you is greater than the risk of side effects. Many people using this medication do not have serious side effects. A very serious allergic reaction to this drug is unlikely, but seek immediate medical attention if it occurs. Symptoms of a serious allergic reaction may include: rash, itching/swelling (especially of the face/tongue/throat), severe dizziness, trouble breathing. This is not a complete list of possible side effects. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact the doctor or pharmacist. In the US - Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088. In Canada - Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to Health Canada at 1-866-234-2345.
This is a summary and does NOT have all possible information about this product. This information does not assure that this product is safe, effective, or appropriate for you. This information is not individual medical advice and does not substitute for the advice of your health care professional. Always ask your health care professional for complete information about this product and your specific health needs.
The information contained in the First DataBank databases is intended to supplement the knowledge of physicians, pharmacists, and other healthcare professionals regarding drug therapy problems and patient counselling information. This information is advisory only and is not intended to replace sound clinical judgment in the delivery of healthcare services. First DataBank disclaims all warranties, whether expressed or implied, including any warranty as to the quality, accuracy, and suitability of this information for any purpose.
Copyright 2010 First DataBank, Inc.
