niridazole

Niridazole is a small molecule antiparasitic drug classified as a nitrothiazole. It is primarily used as a schistosomicide for the treatment of schistosomiasis, an infection caused by flatworms of the genus Schistosoma. Niridazole acts by rapidly concentrating in the parasite, where it inhibits oogenesis and spermatogenesis, disrupts glycogen metabolism through inhibition of phosphofructokinase, and may also inhibit DNA synthesis in schistosomes. The drug can cause significant central nervous system toxicity (including hallucinations and convulsions) and allergic reactions in sensitive individuals. Although highly effective against schistosomes, its use has declined due to safety concerns. Niridazole has also been investigated for other parasitic diseases such as dracunculiasis (guinea worm disease), tungiasis, and periodontitis[1][4][5].

Brand names

AmbilharAmbilar

Other names

nitrothiazolenitrothiamidazolniridazolum