Nitazoxanide Tablet: Uses, Dosage & Side Effects in Pakistan

Nitazoxanide Tablet Uses, Dosage, Side Effects & Price in Pakistan

1. Quick Info (Mukhtasir Maloomat)

2. What is Nitazoxanide Tablet? (Nitazoxanide Tablet kya hai)

Nitazoxanide Tablet (Alinia / Nizonide) is used in Pakistan for giardia, cryptosporidium, and diarrhoea. It belongs to the Antiparasitic / Antiprotozoal class of medicines. Nitazoxanide is a prodrug — it converts in the body to tizoxanide (the active form) — this inhibits the PFOR (pyruvate:ferredoxin oxidoreductase) enzyme — disrupting the energy metabolism of protozoa and anaerobic bacteria — killing the parasites. It also interferes with viral RNA replication (broad antiviral activity). Due to Pakistan's contaminated water supply, giardia and cryptosporidium are common — especially during the summer diarrhoea season, making this a highly relevant medicine. Important note: Nitazoxanide MUST be taken WITH FOOD — absorption is very poor on an empty stomach. Urine and eyes may turn yellow or orange — this is HARMLESS and is due to a metabolite.

3. Uses (Fayde / Kis kaam aati hai)

• Giardiasis — Giardia intestinalis infection
• Cryptosporidiosis — Cryptosporidium infection
• Amoebiasis (adjunct treatment)
• Rotavirus diarrhoea — off-label; some evidence for shortened illness duration
• Helicobacter pylori — adjunct in resistant regimens (off-label)

4. Who Should Take (Kis ko leni chahiye)

• Confirmed giardiasis (giardia diarrhoea) — history of contaminated water exposure
• Cryptosporidiosis (immunocompetent patients)
• Doctor-prescribed cases of parasitic diarrhoea
• Pakistan context: suspected giardia/crypto during summer diarrhoea season

5. When NOT to Take (Kab nahi leni chahiye)

• Allergy to nitazoxanide
• Severe hepatic impairment (dose adjustment / caution)
• Immunocompromised patients with cryptosporidiosis (limited benefit without immune recovery — specialist consultation)
• Warfarin users

6. Dosage (Kitni leni hai)

• Giardiasis / Cryptosporidiosis: 500mg twice daily for 3 days
• MUST be taken WITH FOOD — bioavailability significantly improved with food

• Paediatric suspension available — weight-based dosing — determined by the doctor

• Typically 3 days for most indications (immunocompetent adults)

• Take as soon as you remember — if the next dose is close, skip it. Never take a double dose.

7. How to Take (Kaise leni hai)

• 12 hours apart

• WITH FOOD — absorption is poor on an empty stomach — taking with food is ESSENTIAL

• Usually 3 days — it is a short course; complete it fully

• During diarrhoea, drink plenty of water or ORS — avoid dehydration

8. Best Time (Kab leni chahiye)

• With breakfast and with dinner — absorption is best with food

• Complete the full 3-day course — do not stop even if you feel better

9. Empty Stomach or After Food (Khali pait ya khane ke baad)

Nitazoxanide must always be taken WITH FOOD — absorption is significantly reduced on an empty stomach. This dosing rule is the most important aspect of this medicine.

10. Warnings (Ihtiyat)

• MUST take with food — do not take on an empty stomach

• Urine / eyes may turn yellow or orange — HARMLESS tizoxanide metabolite — reassure the patient; do not stop the medicine

• Caution in liver disease — monitor transaminases

• In HIV/AIDS patients with cryptosporidiosis: limited benefit; immune recovery is essential

11. Precautions (Ahm ehtiyaat)

• Store in a cool, dry place (below 30°C)
• Keep out of the reach of children

• During diarrhoea episodes, drink plenty of ORS / water — preventing dehydration is essential

• Monitor INR — protein binding displacement

12. Side Effects (Nuksanat)

• Abdominal pain / stomach cramps
• Nausea
• Diarrhoea
• Headache
• Dizziness
• Yellow/orange urine and scleral yellowing — tizoxanide glucuronide metabolite — HARMLESS — inform the patient in advance

• Severe hypersensitivity reactions (allergic reaction)
• Liver transaminase elevation

13. Drug Interactions (Dawaon ke sath reaction)

• Warfarin: Nitazoxanide can displace warfarin from protein binding — monitor INR
• Food (positive interaction): Absorption significantly improves with food — taking with food is ESSENTIAL
• CYP enzymes: Nitazoxanide is not metabolised by CYP enzymes — major drug-drug interactions via CYP pathway are not expected
• ORS: Concurrent use of ORS with diarrhoea is helpful — no direct interaction

14. When to See Doctor (Kab doctor ke paas jayein)

• True jaundice: Scleral yellowing + yellow skin + dark urine + pale/clay-coloured stools = hepatotoxicity — STOP the drug, see a doctor IMMEDIATELY
• Diarrhoea that continues to worsen despite treatment (treatment failure / antibiotic-associated colitis)
• Severe allergic reaction — rash, anaphylaxis
• Signs of dehydration — excessive thirst, no urine output, rapid heartbeat
• Symptoms persist after the 3-day course

15. Alternatives (Sasti Dusri Dawaein)

16. Price in Pakistan (Price kitni hai)

17. FAQs (Aksar poochay jane walay sawalat)

Q: Nitazoxanide kis kaam aata hai?

A: Nitazoxanide treats diarrhoea caused by giardia, cryptosporidium, and other parasites. Giardia is common in Pakistan from contaminated water — especially during summer.

Q: Nitazoxanide ke side effects kya hain?

A: Common: stomach pain, nausea, headache. Unusual but harmless: urine and eyes may turn yellow or orange — due to a metabolite — do not be alarmed. Serious side effects are rare.

Q: Nitazoxanide se peshab ka rang kyun badal jaata hai?

A: Nitazoxanide is converted in the body to tizoxanide glucuronide — this metabolite passes into the urine and gives it a yellow or orange colour. The sclera of the eyes may also appear slightly yellow. This is HARMLESS — it is not jaundice — there is no need to stop the medicine.

Q: Nitazoxanide price Pakistan mein kitni hai?

A: Alinia, Nizonide, and local generics are available in Pakistan. For the current price, confirm with a pharmacy or dawaai.pk.

Q: Nitazoxanide giardia ka ilaaj karta hai?

A: Yes — nitazoxanide is approved for giardiasis. The dose in adults is 500mg twice daily for 3 days. Giardia is common in Pakistan — it is spread through contaminated water.

18. Medical Review (Medical jaiza)

Compiled by the PakVita Editorial Team · AI-assisted drafting with editorial review · Sourced from DRAP, WHO, BNF · Last updated: 2026-06-17

19. Disclaimer (Zaroori tanbeeh)

The information on this page is for awareness only. It is not medical advice. Always consult your doctor or pharmacist before taking any medicine. PakVita is not responsible for any harm.