Anti-protozoal drugs Flashcards
https://bnf.nice.org.uk/treatment-summary/antiprotozoal-drugs.html
What is the first-line drug for acute invasive amoebic dysentery?
Metronidazole
- 800mg 3 times a day for 5 days (10 days if extra-intestinal infection) (adult)
Followed by 10-day course of diloxanide furoate
Second line: tinidazole
- 2g once daily for 2-3 days (adult)
Metronidazole: https://bnf.nice.org.uk/drug/metronidazole.html
Tinidazole:
https://bnf.nice.org.uk/drug/tinidazole.html
https://bnf.nice.org.uk/treatment-summary/antiprotozoal-drugs.html
For the treatment of acute invasive dysentery, following metronidazole (or tinidazole), what drug do you give for 10 days to destroy any amoebae in the GI tract?
Diloxanide furoate
https://bnf.nice.org.uk/treatment-summary/antiprotozoal-drugs.html
What is the drug of choice for asymptomatic patients with Entamoeba histolytica cysts in the faeces?
Diloxanide furoate
https://bnf.nice.org.uk/treatment-summary/antiprotozoal-drugs.html
What are the two drug options for amoebic abscesses of the liver?
Metronidazole
- 800mg 3 times a day for 5 days (10 days if extra-intestinal infection) (adult)
Tinidazole
- 1.5-2 g once daily for 3-6 days (adult)
https://bnf.nice.org.uk/treatment-summary/antiprotozoal-drugs.html
What is the first-line drug for the treatment of Trichomonas vaginalis?
Metronidazole
- 200 mg 3 times a day for 7 days (or 400-500 mg twice a day for 5-7 days or 2 g for 1 dose) (adult)
Second line: tinidazole
- 2g for 1 single dose
Metronidazole:
https://bnf.nice.org.uk/drug/metronidazole.html
Tinidazole:
https://bnf.nice.org.uk/drug/tinidazole.html
https://bnf.nice.org.uk/treatment-summary/antiprotozoal-drugs.html
What is the first-line drug for the treatment of Giardia lamblia infections?
Metronidazole
- 2 mg once daily for 3 days (alternative 400 mg 3 times a day for 5 days or 500 mg twice daily for 7-10 days)
Second line (2 options): Tinidazole - 2 g for 1 single dose OR Mepacrine hydrochloride - 100 mg every 8 hours for 5-7 days
Metronidazole:
https://bnf.nice.org.uk/drug/metronidazole.html
Tinidazole:
https://bnf.nice.org.uk/drug/tinidazole.html
Mepacrine hydrochloride:
https://bnf.nice.org.uk/drug/mepacrine-hydrochloride.html
What is the one indication for use of the drug mepacrine hydrochloride?
Giardiasis
- by mouth 100 mg every 8 hours for 5-7 days
(mepacrine hydrochloride is a second-line drug for giardiasis)
First-line for Giardiasis: Metronidazole
- 2 mg once daily for 3 days (alternative 400 mg 3 times a day for 5 days or 500 mg twice daily for 7-10 days)
Mepacine hydrochloride:
https://bnf.nice.org.uk/drug/mepacrine-hydrochloride.html
What is the first-line drug for the treatment of visceral leishmaniasis (kala-azar)?
Sodium stibogluconate (antimony compound)
Second line: amphotericin B (in combination or after sodium stibogluconate)
What is the management of cutaneous leishmaniasis if the skin lesions are NOT extensive or unsightly?
Nothing - lesions will heal spontaneously
If skin lesions are extensive or unsightly: sodium stibogluconate +/- amphotericin B (same as visceral leishmaniasis)
Amoebic abscesses of the liver require aspiration if… (3)
- Suspected that they may rupture
- No improvement after 72 hours of metronidazole treatment
- Abscess > 100 ml of pus
https://bnf.nice.org.uk/treatment-summary/antiprotozoal-drugs.html
If toxoplasmosis is acquired during pregnancy, what unlicensed drug may reduce the risk of transmission of maternal infection to the fetus?
Spiramycin
https://bnf.nice.org.uk/treatment-summary/antiprotozoal-drugs.html
What is the first-line treatment of toxoplasmosis in HIV/immunosuppressed patients?
Pyrimethamine + sulfadiazine for several weeks (> 6 weeks)
Alternatives:
Pyrimethamine + clindamycin
OR
Clarithromycin + azithromycin
If a patient is taking pyrimethamine for the treatment of toxoplasmosis, what investigation do they need to do weekly to watch out for adverse effects?
Weekly blood counts
Pyrimethamine is a folate antagonist, common side effects include leucopenia and thrombocytopenia
Patient should also take folinic acid supplements
https://bnf.nice.org.uk/drug/pyrimethamine.html
Metronidazole is an antimicrobial drug with high activity against … (2)
- Anaerobic bacteria
- Protozoa
https://bnf.nice.org.uk/drug/metronidazole.html
From top 100: metronidazole enters bacterial cells by passive diffusion. In anaerobic bacteria, the reduction of metronidazole generates a nitroso free radical. This binds to DNA, reducing synthesis and causing widespread damage, DNA degradation and cell death (bactericidal)
Which protozoal infections is metronidazole indicated for treatment? (3)
- Amoebiasis (invasive intestinal and extra-intestinal, including liver abscess)
- Adult dose: 800 mg 3 times a day for 5 days in intestinal infection (for 5-10 days in extra-intestinal infection) - Urogenital trichomoniasis
- Adult dose: 200 mg 3 times a day for 7 days, alternatively 400-500 mg twice daily for 5-7 days, or 2 g for 1 dose - Giardiasis
- Adult dose: 2 g daily for 3 days, alternatively 400 mg 3 times a day for 5 days, alternatively 500 mg twice daily for 7-10 days
https://bnf.nice.org.uk/drug/metronidazole.html