Diloxide

Introduction
Diloxide belongs to the class of medications called luminal amebicide. It is used in the treatment of worm infections and intestinal infections caused by an organism called amoeba (intestinal amebiasis). It kills the infection causing microorganisms. Diloxide should be used in the dose and duration as advised by your doctor. It may be taken with or without food, preferably at a fixed time. Avoid skipping any doses and finish the full course of treatment even if you feel better. Do not take a double dose to make up for a missed dose. Simply take the next dose as planned. Some people may experience nausea, headache, stomach pain, hair loss and vomiting as the side effects of this medicine. Please consult your doctor if these side effects do not resolve or persist for a longer duration. You may be monitored with blood tests and liver function tests throughout your treatment as this medicine may lead to abnormal liver function tests too.

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Uses of Diloxide
Worm infections
Intestinal amoebiasis
Side effects of Diloxide
Common
Nausea
Headache
Abdominal pain
Hair loss
Vomiting
Abnormal liver function tests
Fever
Dizziness
Vertigo
How to use Diloxide
Take this medicine in the dose and duration as advised by your doctor. Swallow it as a whole. Do not chew, crush or break it. Diloxide may be taken with or without food, but it is better to take it at a fixed time.
How Diloxide works
.
Quick Tips
You have been prescribed Diloxide to treat a variety of parasitic worm infections.
It should be taken with food.
If you are unable to swallow the whole tablet, it may be crushed or chewed and swallowed with a full glass of water.
It can be harmful to an unborn baby. Do not take it during pregnancy or breastfeeding. Use birth control measures to prevent pregnancy while taking Diloxide.
Your doctor may monitor your blood counts and liver function before you start taking this medicine and regularly throughout your treatment.
Avoid being near people who are sick or have infections. Inform your doctor if you develop signs of infection.
Do not skip doses and finish the prescribed course, even if you start to feel better. Stopping it early may increase your risk of further infection.
Brief Description
Indication
Intestinal amoebiasis
Adult Dose
Oral Intestinal amoebiasis Adult: 500 mg tid for 10 days. May repeat course if needed.

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Child Dose
Oral Intestinal amoebiasis Child: >25 kg: 20 mg/kg daily in 3 divided doses for 10 days, repeated if necessary.

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Contraindication
Hypersensitivity.
Mode of Action
Diloxanide is a luminal amoebicide which is hydrolysed in the gut, thus releasing the free diloxanide which acts as an amoebicide. It is given alone in asymptomatic cyst passers. For patients with active amoebic infections, it can be administered with a 5-nitroimidazole e.g. metronidazole or tinidazole.
Precaution
Caution should be exercised in pregnant and breastfeeding women. Avoid excess dosage.

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Side Effect
The frequency of these side-effects is unknown flatulence, itching, urticaria, vomiting

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