Treatment of giardiasis in children with tinidazole, ornidazole and metronidazole

Abstract

121 children under 12 years of age suffering from giardiasis documented by the presence of cysts or trophozoites of G. lamblia in the stools were treated with a single-dose of 50 mg/kg body weight of tinidazole or ornidazole or by metronidazole given at a dosage of 20 mg/kg/day for 5 days. There was no statistical difference in the cure rate of the three drug regimens, which were respectively 94%, 95% and 97%. Side-effects were observed in 6 out of 48 patients (12.5%) with tinidazole (vomiting), in 11 out of 40 patients (27.5%) with ornidazole (vomiting and in 4 cases dizziness and one case drowsiness) and in 2 out of 33 patients (6%) in metronidazole (vomiting). Since side-effects were acceptable and temporary we think that both tinidazole and ornidazole are more convenient to treat giardiasis because these drugs can be given in a single-dose.