nitazoxanide

Nitazoxanide is a synthetic antiprotozoal agent used primarily to treat diarrhea caused by the protozoa Giardia lamblia and Cryptosporidium parvum in adults and children older than 1 year. It belongs to the class of antiprotozoal agents known as thiazolides. The drug works by disrupting energy metabolism in anaerobic microorganisms through inhibition of the pyruvate:ferredoxin/flavodoxin oxidoreductase enzyme-dependent electron transfer reaction essential for their survival and proliferation. Additionally it induces lesions in protozoal cell membranes and mitochondrial depolarization while inhibiting enzymes such as quinone oxidoreductase NQO1 and nitroreductase-1. It also inhibits glutathione-S-transferase enzymes involved in detoxification processes. Beyond its antiparasitic effects it exhibits antibacterial activity against certain bacteria including Mycobacterium tuberculosis by disrupting membrane potential and pH homeostasis and suppressing bacterial pathways like chaperone/usher systems. It has antiviral properties through inhibition of viral hemagglutinin maturation and viral transcription factors as well as activation of host antiviral proteins like eukaryotic translation initiation factor 2α. Research is ongoing into its use for influenza virus infections including resistant strains as well as hepatitis B/C viruses and COVID-19.

Brand names

AliniaAdonidAllparAnnitaCelectanColufaseDaxonDexidexDiatazoxKidonaxMitafarNanazoxidParazoxanideNetazoxNiazidNitamaxNitaxNitaxideNitaz (partial)Nizonide (partial)NT-TOX (partial)Pacovanton (partial)Paramix (partial)Toza (partial)Zox (partial)

Other names

2-(Acetyloxy)-N-(5-nitro-2-thiazolyl)benzamideBenzamide 2-(acetyloxy)-N-(5-nitro-2-thiazolyl)NitrazoxanideNitazoxanidaNitazoxanidum