Diiodohydroxyquin
Diiodohydroxyquin is used to treat intestinal amoebic diseases. However,
diiodohydroxyquincan cause damage to the optic nerve if the dosage is not care-
fully controlled.
Metronidazole
Metronidazolecombats parasitic protozoa and obligate anaerobic bacteria. It is
used to treat vaginitis caused by Trichomonas vaginalis,giardiasis, and amoebic
dysentery.
Nifurtimox
Nifurtimoxis used to combat Chagas’ disease. However, nifurtimox can cause
side effects, such as nausea and convulsions.
ANTIHELMINTHIC DRUGS
Antihelminthic drugs are used to combat helminths, which are parasitic flat-
worms. Commonly used antihelminthic drugs follow.
Niclosamide
Niclosamideis used to treat tapeworm infections. This drug inhibits ATP pro-
duction in aerobic conditions.
Praziquantel
Praziquantelis also used to destroy tapeworm infections and is used to treat
schistosomiasis and other fluke-caused diseases. This drug alters the permeabil-
ity of the organism’s plasma membrane.
Mebendazole
Mebendazoleis used to combat intestinal helminthic infections, such as ascaria-
sis, whipworms, and pinworms.
CHAPTER 16 Antimicrobial Drugs^245