Zoxan Tablet 500 mg

Zoxan Tablet

Generic Name: Nitazoxanide

Strength: 500 mg

Dosage Form: Tablet

Manufacturer: Opsonin Pharma Ltd

Indications

Zoxan is indicated for the treatment of diarrhea caused by Cryptosporidium parvum, Giardia lamblia and Entamoeba histolytica.

Pharmacology

Nitazoxanide is a synthetic antiprotozoal agent for oral administration. The antiprotozoal activity of Nitazoxanide is believed to be interference with the Pyruvate Ferredoxin Oxido Reductase (PFOR) enzyme-dependant electron transfer reaction. This reaction is essential for anaerobic energy metabolism of the protozoa. Nitazoxanide and its metabolites, tizoxanid are active in vitro in inhibiting the growth of sporozoites and oocyst of Cryptosporidium parvum and trophozoites of Giardia lamblia.

Dosage Information

Age 1-3 years: 1 tea-spoonfull or 5 ml suspension every 12 hours for 3 days.
Age 4-11 years: 2 tea-spoonfulls or 10 ml suspension every 12 hours for 3 days.
Age 12 years or above: 5 tea-spoonfulls (25 ml) suspension or 1 tablet every 12 hours for 3 days.

It is recommended to be administered with food.

Side Effects

The most frequent side effects, reported by Zoxan are abdominal pain, vomiting and headache. These side effects are typically mild and transient in nature. Very rare side effects include- nausea, anorexia, flatulence, increased appetite, enlarged salivary glands, increased creatinine & SGPT level, pruritus, rhinitis, sweating, dizziness, discolored urine etc.

Precautions

Zoxan must be administered with caution to patients with hepatic & biliary disease and to patients with renal disease.

Age 1-3 years: 1 tea-spoonfull or 5 ml suspension every 12 hours for 3 days.
Age 4-11 years: 2 tea-spoonfulls or 10 ml suspension every 12 hours for 3 days.
Age 12 years or above: 5 tea-spoonfulls (25 ml) suspension or 1 tablet every 12 hours for 3 days.

It is recommended to be administered with food.

The most frequent side effects, reported by Zoxan are abdominal pain, vomiting and headache. These side effects are typically mild and transient in nature. Very rare side effects include- nausea, anorexia, flatulence, increased appetite, enlarged salivary glands, increased creatinine & SGPT level, pruritus, rhinitis, sweating, dizziness, discolored urine etc.

US FDA pregnancy category of Nitazoxanide is B. There are, however, no adequate and well-controlled studies in pregnant women. Because animal reproduction studies are not always predictive of human response, this drug should be used during pregnancy only if clearly needed. Nitazoxanide have been shown to be excreted in human milk. So, caution should be exercised when Nitazoxanide is administered during lactation.

Zoxan must be administered with caution to patients with hepatic & biliary disease and to patients with renal disease.