Metronidazole – Tissue and lumenal amebicide; prodrug that when activated interferes with DNA synthesis; metallic taste; disulfiram-like reaction with alcohol.

Tetracycline, erythromycin, paramomycin – Indirect-acting lumenal amebicides; work by killing bacteria that provide amoeba with nutrition.

Diiodohydroxyquin & diloxanide furoate – Direct-acting lumenal amebicides.

Emetine – Tissue amebicide; “big gun.”

Suramin – Trypansomes.

Pentamidine – Trypanosomes, leishmaniasis, P. carinii (in AIDS patients intolerant to cotrimoxazole); administered as aerosol or IV.

Melarsoprol – Organic arsenic.

Stibogluconate – Antimony compound.

Quinacrine – Giariasis.

Metronidazole – Trichomoniasis.

Toxoplasmosis: Organism resides in cat feces and is dangerous to the fetus during pregnancy (death, blindness, retardation); treat with pyrimethamine, trimethoprim, or a sulfa drug.

Category: Pharmacology Notes