A comparative clinical trial of albendazole versus metronidazole in children with giardiasis.

The adverse effects and treatment failures to some of the currently recommended drugs for giardia infection have given rise to the need for alternative antigiardial agents. In an open, randomized parallel group study, the safety and efficacy of albendazole was compared with metronidazole for the treatment of giardiasis in children. Sixty four children of age ranging from 2-12 years was randomized to receive either albendazole suspension 400 mg daily for 5 days or metronidazole suspension 400 mg daily for 5 days or metronidazole suspension 7.5 mg/Kg thrice daily for 5 days. The mean days required for cure, as evident by absence of cysts and/or trophozoites in the stool specimen, were 3.7 +/- 1.4 and 4.5 +/- 1.1 days, respectively for children on albendazole and metronidazole therapy. Six children on metronidazole therapy developed anorexia 2 to 4 days after the treatment. Albendazole proved as effective as metronidazole in the treatment of giardia infection in children with the added advantage of the absence of anorexia.

A comparative clinical trial of albendazole versus metronidazole in giardiasis.

The adverse effects and treatment failures to some of the currently recommended drugs for giardia infection have given rise to the need for alternative antigiardial agents. In an open, randomized parallel group study, the safety and efficacy of albendazole was compared with that of metronidazole for the treatment of giardiasis in children. Sixty two children aged between 2-12 years were randomized to receive either albendazole suspension 400 mg daily for 5 days or metronidazole suspension 7.5 mg/kg thrice daily for 5 days. The mean days required for cure, as evident by absence of cysts and/or trophozoites in the stool specimen, was 3.7 + 1.4 and 4.5 + 1.1 days, respectively for children on albendazole and metronidazole therapy. Six children on metronidazole therapy developed anorexia 2 to 4 days after the treatment. Albendazole proved as effective as metronidazole in the treatment of giardia infection in children with the added advantage of absence of anorexia.

A randomised multicentre study to compare the safety and efficacy of albendazole and metronidazole in the treatment of giardiasis in children.

A randomised control multicentre study to compare the safety and efficacy of albendazole and metronidazole in the treatment of giardiasis in children is reported. One hundred and fifty children of either sex (age range: 2-10 years) were randomised to receive either a single dose of 400 mg of albendazole suspension, or 22.5 mg/kg/day of metronidazole in 3 divided doses for 5 consecutive days. At the end of therapy, majority of children in both treatment groups were symptom free. Two days after completion of therapy, 97% of children in both treatment groups were giardia free in the stools. Side effects were noted in 3 children in the albendazole group, and in 20 children in the metronidazole group. We conclude that albendazole suspension is as effective as metronidazole in the treatment of giardial infection in children. It is safe and has fewer side effects as compared to metronidazole.