Giardia preparations: a review of effective drugs, formulations, reviews

To date, on the shelves of pharmacies there are a large number of medications that have specific activity against parasites, including protozoa. Therapy of giardiasis is carried out through the use of such drugs. What medications for giardia are the most effective and widely used?

To understand this issue in more detail, you must first determine to which group of antiprotozoal and antiparasitic medicines this or that remedy belongs. The classification of drugs is carried out on the basis of differences in the spectrum of exposure to harmful life forms and their overall effect on the human body. The difference is determined by the various active components that make up the giardia preparations; they, in fact, are classified.

Antiprotozoal groups

There are two groups of antiprotozoal medications for the treatment of lamblia in adults and children (antibiotics):

1. Nitrofurans. There is a high absorption when taken orally, and a short half-life from the body, everything happens within an hour. If there is kidney failure, then the elimination time in nitrofurans increases. A low concentration in human tissues and blood is observed. It should be noted that in the intestinal lumen the concentration of this group of substances is much higher, which indicates a predominantly local effect.
2. Nitroimidazoles. Also, there is a fairly high absorption when taken orally - over 80%, one has a much longer half-life from the body - 6-20 hours. The penetration of substances through the placental and blood-brain barriers occurs, their subsequent distribution to various tissues.

The nitrofuran group also includes synthetic drugs with antimicrobial and antiprotozoal effects. The mechanism of action of these drugs is as follows: the process of cellular respiration is disrupted, and subsequently cellular synthesis of nucleic acids is inhibited. It is believed that nitrofurans do not have a depressing effect on the natural defense of the human body. Against the background of taking medications belonging to this group, one can observe the stimulation of the immune system, and this is important in the treatment of any pathologies, including protozoal infestations, since this enhances the immune response of the human body. What drugs to treat giardia, the doctor should decide.

The group of nitroimidazoles includes synthetic agents that have antiprotozoal and antibacterial effects. The therapeutic effects of this group of drugs are as follows: DNA replication and the process of cell protein synthesis are inhibited. In addition, these drugs inhibit cellular respiration, which also leads to the death of protozoa. Nitroimidazoles negatively affect the microflora of the stomach and intestines and inhibit the natural defense system.

Antiparasitic drug group

Antiparasitic drugs for giardia are commercially available in large quantities today, it is sometimes difficult to choose. Therefore, self-medication should not be. Any medication should be prescribed only by a doctor.

If there is a problem being studied, doctors prefer to prescribe exclusively a benzimidazole group of drugs. Thus, we can conclude that in the preparations of Giardia for adults with antiparasitic action, the active substance is present. It is a benzimidazole carbamate derivative.

As shown by numerous research results, the greatest effectiveness is noted with the use of drugs for the treatment of giardia in adults included in the benzimidazole group. At the heart of albendazole. This substance is devastating because it inhibits glucose utilization (as you know, these parasites feed mainly on carbohydrates). This significantly depletes glycogen reserves, due to which the nutritional process is irreversibly disturbed, and the production of adenosine triphosphate, which is involved in the biochemical processes of anaerobes, is also inhibited. As a result, a significant difference in effectiveness can be observed in antiprotozoal nitrofurans and nitroimidazoles and anti-lamblia drugs in adults, with albendazole as an active ingredient.

There is poor absorption of albendazole, it is distributed throughout the body in the form of albendazole sulfoxide. It is characterized by a half-life of 12 hours. It is worth noting that when taking fatty foods, absorption is increased by almost five times.

About efficiency

Clinical studies have confirmed the superiority of the effectiveness of medications based on albendazole. According to some data, albendazole has a 30-fold or more increase in performance compared to nitroimidazoles and nitrofurans.

Some sources also report that doctors may prescribe antiparasitic medicines, which contain levamisole or pyrantel salts as the active component, for treating lamblia in children and adults. It is important to understand that pyrantel salts do not have a negative effect on parasites, which is confirmed by the original instructions for the medication. Antiparasitic agents based on levamisole stimulate the natural protective system, so they can be included in complex therapy, but only as a supplement. The main treatment for giardia is performed with the help of drugs exclusively active against the simplest parasites.

Akrikhin (Mepakrin)

In addition to drugs for lamblia based on albendazole, Akrikhin (Mepacrine) can be used. However, it is worth saying that its use today is quite infrequent. Because more effective and less toxic drugs are commercially available. In addition, this drug depresses the body's natural defense systems, which is very undesirable in the treatment of giardiasis and many other pathologies. As an exception, it is worth highlighting autoimmune ailments, and still in this situation it is better to use drugs based on levamisole. This substance has a stimulating effect on weakened cells, while healthy ones are not affected, a depressing effect on the immune system is if necessary.

Not everyone is familiar with the names of drugs against giardia for adults and children? Since we have already figured out the issue of group affiliation, it is worth going directly to the names of funds that are widely used in the presence of a problem.

Names of drugs against Giardia

The nitroimidazole group includes medications such as:

1. "Metronidazole" with the active substance of the same name metronidazole. If there is renal and / or liver failure, the use of this drug is possible, but only a qualified specialist should monitor it.
   
   There is also a note. Currently, some strains of parasites have become resistant to Metronidazole, therefore, most often they choose other drugs from the nitroimidazole group, since it is believed that this drug is less effective. In addition, Metronidazole has a rather large list of side effects.
2. "Trichopolum" with the active ingredient metronidazole. If hepatic or renal failure is noted, the use of the drug should be careful.
3. "Tinidazole" with the same active ingredient tinidazole. As additional contraindications, leukopenia, renal and / or liver failure can be distinguished.
4. Ornidazole. It is a commonly prescribed effective medication for Giardia for adults. The active ingredient is ornidazole. A careful reception is necessary under the supervision of a specialist in the presence of pathologies of the central nervous system such as multiple sclerosis and epilepsy, as well as violations in the functioning of the kidneys and liver.

The group of nitrofurans includes medications such as:

1. "Furazolidone." This drug has previously been widely used in the treatment of lamblia in adults. The active ingredient is furazolidone. If there are abnormalities in the functioning of the central nervous system, glucose deficiency, chronic renal and / or liver failure, it is recommended to use the drug with extreme caution. Note. Long-term use of Furazolidone during treatment of giardiasis provokes the formation of a certain resistance of certain strains of parasites to this drug. In addition, the drug "Furazolidone" has a rather large list of side effects and the likelihood of their occurrence is quite high (approximately 40%).
2. "Macmirror" with the active ingredient nifuratel.
   

The benzimidazole group (with the active component albendazole) includes drugs for the treatment of giardia type:

• Albendazole
• "Zentela";
• Nemozole.

It is worth noting that there is no significant difference in the effect of these funds. But regarding the cost differences are.

Drugs commonly used for children:

• "Zentel", which stops the process of reproduction, vital activity of Giardia and is prescribed to children aged 3 years;
• "Nemozole", which is an effective anthelmintic drug with a wide spectrum of action;
• "Enterofuril", prescribed for the destruction of lamblia in the body of a child from infancy;
• "Vermox", which is an excellent anthelmintic agent, whose action is aimed at effectively combating a wide range of parasitic protozoa and is prescribed for children from 2 years of age;
• "Dekaris", characterized by a rapid anthelmintic effect and approved for use by children from the age of three.

The best drugs for the treatment of giardia in adults and children we have examined.

Contraindications

It is impossible to choose the right drug without a detailed description of these issues. All of the above medications have differences in contraindications and possible adverse effects, the development of which is possible while taking the medication.

Contraindications should be considered before taking the drug, and it is better together with a specialist. Probably, an examination will be required, this is necessary in order to identify chronic health problems and characteristics of the body. Here's how to determine the impossibility of using a particular drug or group of drugs.

So, nitroimidazoles are not prescribed for: pathologies of blood, leukopenia, renal and / or liver failure (there are exceptions), impaired hematopoiesis, individual intolerance to the active components of the drug or substances of the nitrofouran group, pregnancy and breastfeeding, diseases of the central nervous system of the organic type.

Nitrofurans are not prescribed for: severe hepatic pathology, pregnancy or breastfeeding, deficiency of glucose and its derivatives, individual intolerance to both drug components and derivatives of the nitrofuran group. For nifuratel-based preparations, most of the list is excluded and supplemented with the following phenomena: glucose malabsorption, individual glucose intolerance, sucrose / glucose deficiency.

Medicines based on albendazole are not prescribed for: pregnancy or breastfeeding, individual intolerance to the components of the drug or other benzimidazole derivatives, eye retinal pathologies.

Side effects

The main side effects of the above medicines should be familiarized with in advance.

Undesirable effects of the nitroimidazole group are manifested by the following symptoms:

1. From the gastrointestinal tract - nausea, an unpleasant aftertaste in the oral cavity, vomiting, pain in the abdomen, diarrhea.
2. From the central nervous system - dizziness, impaired consciousness and coordination of movements, headache, cramps. In rare cases, epileptic seizures.
3. Allergic reactions from the skin - rashes, itching.
4. From the hemopoietic systems - neutropenia, leukopenia.

Undesirable effects of the nitrofuran group are manifested:

1. From the gastrointestinal tract - diarrhea, nausea, heartburn, bitter taste in the oral cavity, vomiting, decreased appetite.
2. Allergic reactions from the skin - rashes, swelling, itching.
3. From the side of the central nervous system (from “Furazolidone”) - neuritis.

Undesirable symptoms of the benzimidazole group of drugs for giardia and worms manifest themselves:

1. From the digestive system - liver dysfunction, hepatitis, decreased appetite, pain in the right side, vomiting, nausea, diarrhea and others.
2. From the side of the central nervous system - increased pressure (intracranial), headache, meningeal symptoms, dizziness.
3. From the hemopoietic organs - leukopenia, thrombocytopenia, granulocytopenia, neutropenia, pancytopenia and the like.
4. On the part of the renal system - renal failure.
5. On the part of the cardiovascular system - increased pressure (arterial).
6. Allergic reactions from the skin - rashes, itching, Stevens-Johnson syndrome, erythema.
7. Other symptoms are alopecia, hyperthermia.

Drug Rating

Everyone wants to find the best medicine for giardia. Once you have identified the key points, you can begin to make a rating. At the head of our list will be presented the most effective and safe medicines, according to customer reviews.

Rating of drugs against giardia:

1. "Macmirror" (the analogue is "Nifuratel") - is considered the safest and most effective medication that is currently available for sale.
2. Ornidazole (the analogue is Tiberal).
3. Nemozol and its analogues.
4. "Tinidazole" (the analogue is "Tiniba").
5. "Furazolidone."
6. "Metronidazole", "Trichopolum".
7. Akrikhin.

special instructions

Albendazole-based lamblia drugs in adults and children are usually prescribed for massive parasitic infestations. If such a condition is not noted, then it is better to use more sparing medications.

In any case, the use of any drug should be carried out with great care, the instructions must be strictly observed. Prescribing of medications should be carried out by a qualified specialist.

It is important to understand that absolutely all anti-lamblia drugs mentioned in this information article have certain side effects, therefore they cannot be called absolutely safe, they have a rather high degree of toxicity. Therefore, it is extremely important to make sure that there are no contraindications before using any medication. It is also worth saying that many drugs are purchased in pharmacies only by prescription from a doctor. What drugs for lamblia to choose, it is important to find out in advance.

Finally

Therapy of severe giardiasis in adults and children is closely associated with the use of a number of drugs that are not specific antiparasitic or antiprotozoal medicines, as it takes place in three stages. Each of these stages has a different focus.

Acute giardiasis or carriage, as a rule, does not involve the use of various drugs. One or two doses of highly effective antiprotozoal medications are sufficient.