Indicated for: intestinal amoebiasis
Route of administration: oral
Substance: diloxanide (luminal amoebicide)
ATC: P01ACN1 (Antiparasitic products, insecticides and repellents | Agents against amoebiasis and other protozoal diseases | Dichloroacetamide derivatives)
Use during pregnancy only on medical advice.
Diloxanide is an antiparasitic medicine used for intestinal amoebiasis, especially to clear parasite forms that remain inside the bowel lumen. It is often useful after treatment of invasive disease with another medicine, to reduce the chance that the parasite persists and can be transmitted. It is not intended for self-treatment of every episode of diarrhoea.
It is taken by mouth at the dose and for the duration prescribed by the doctor. The full course should be completed even if symptoms improve quickly. In some cases, stool tests may be recommended before or after treatment to confirm the diagnosis and check that the parasite has been cleared. Good hydration is important if diarrhoea is present.
Side effects are usually digestive and may include bloating, gas, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, reduced appetite or diarrhoea. Less commonly, itching, hives, skin rash or headache may occur. Tell your doctor about other medicines, liver disease, pregnancy, breastfeeding or severe symptoms before treatment. Medical supervision is important when the diagnosis is uncertain.
Seek urgent medical help if blood in the stool, high fever, dehydration, severe abdominal pain, persistent vomiting, jaundice or allergic reactions with facial swelling and breathing difficulty occur. Diloxanide does not replace investigation of persistent diarrhoea and does not treat all infectious causes. Hand hygiene, safe drinking water and sanitation help prevent reinfection.