Giardia Lamblia (cont.)
How is giardiasis treated?
The most common treatment for giardiasis is metronidazole (Flagyl) for 5-10
days. It eradicates the Giardia more than 85% of the time, but it often causes
gastrointestinal side effects such
as nausea and a metallic taste as well as
dizziness and headache. Despite its
effectiveness, metronidazole is not approved by the FDA in the US for treatment of giardiasis.
The only drug approved for treating giardiasis in the U.S.
is furazolidone (Furoxone) for 7-10 days. It is approximately as effective
as metronidazole. Tinidazole is available outside the U.S. and is highly effective
at treating giardiasis(>90%). It also can be given as a single dose and is well tolerated.
Quinacrine is very effective for treating giardiasis but is no longer available
in the U.S. Paromomycin and albendazole, though effective, are less effective
than other treatments.
Occasionally, treatment fails to eradicate Giardia. In
such cases, the drug may be changed or a longer duration or higher dose may be
used. Combination therapy
also may be effective (e.g., quinacrine and metronidazole).
How can giardiasis be prevented?
- Drink only water that has been treated in established
treatment facilities.
- If there is any doubt about the adequacy of the
treatment of water, boil the water or
filter it through a filter with a pore size of <1 micrometer.
- Do not drink from fresh water streams or lakes without
boiling or filtering the water.
- Do not use ice or drink beverages made from tap water
that may be contaminated.
- Do not brush teeth with tap water that may be
contaminated.
- Do not eat uncooked or unpeeled fruits or vegetables
grown in conditions in which contamination with Giardia might occur.
- Wash hands before eating food, after changing diapers,
using the bathroom, or touching pets.
- Avoid oral/anal sex.
Last Editorial Review: 2/11/2005
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