A medicine that clears amoebae from the gut
Diloxanide
A medicine used to clear amoebae that remain in the gut in the carrier stage of amoebiasis.
What is Diloxanide?
Diloxanide is a medicine used to treat the carrier stage of amoebiasis, an infection caused by an amoeba that lives in the gut. It works inside the bowel to clear remaining amoebae and cysts, which helps stop the infection coming back and being passed on. It is taken by mouth and is usually given as a follow-on after another medicine (such as metronidazole) has dealt with the active, invasive infection. It is generally well tolerated; the most common side effect is wind (flatulence), with mild tummy upset in some people.
Education and reference only. This is a plain-language guide to Diloxanide — it deliberately contains no doses. Doses depend on the person, the brand and the reason for treatment, and belong with your prescriber. Always check the BNF, the product labelling (SmPC) and follow medical advice.
What it is
Diloxanide is a medicine used to treat amoebiasis, an infection of the gut caused by the amoeba Entamoeba histolytica. Specifically, it works on the carrier stage, clearing the amoebae and their cysts that remain living in the bowel after the more serious, tissue-invading part of the infection has been treated. It is taken by mouth as a tablet. It is often used as a second step, after a medicine such as metronidazole has tackled the active infection, to make sure the gut is fully cleared and the infection does not return or spread to others.
How it works
After the active, invasive part of an amoeba infection has been treated, amoebae and their hardy cysts can still remain inside the bowel, where some medicines do not reach them well. Diloxanide acts directly within the gut on these remaining amoebae, clearing them so the carrier state is resolved. Because it works inside the bowel rather than throughout the body, it is well suited to mopping up the gut stage, which is why it is so often used after a course of another amoeba-killing medicine. Clearing the gut helps prevent relapse and stops cysts being passed on to others.
Company & origin
Originated / developed by: Specialist manufacturers.
A medicine used to clear the carrier stage of amoebiasis, removing amoebae remaining in the gut.
Practical use
How to take Diloxanide
General, dose-free guidance — always follow your prescriber's and the leaflet's specific instructions.
- Take it by mouth as prescribed, usually as a course following another medicine that treats the active infection.
- Finish the full course even if you feel well, so that the amoebae are fully cleared from the gut.
- Expect that wind (flatulence) is common; tell your prescriber if tummy symptoms are troublesome.
- Practise good hand and food hygiene to avoid passing the infection on or being reinfected.
- Tell your prescriber if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, or have liver problems, before starting.
Weighing it up
Advantages & disadvantages of Diloxanide
Advantages
- Clears the carrier stage of amoebiasis by acting directly inside the gut.
- Helps prevent the infection returning and being passed on through cysts.
- Generally well tolerated and taken by mouth.
Disadvantages
- Commonly causes wind (flatulence) and sometimes mild tummy upset.
- Usually needs to follow another medicine that treats the active infection, rather than being used alone.
- Needs the full course to be completed to clear the gut properly.
Practical use
Good to know
The key point about diloxanide is its place in treatment: it is a gut-clearing follow-on medicine, usually given after another medicine such as metronidazole has dealt with the active, invasive amoeba infection, to make sure the carrier stage in the bowel is cleared. This two-step approach helps stop the infection coming back and being passed to others through cysts. It is generally well tolerated; the most common side effect is wind (flatulence), and some people get mild tummy upset such as nausea or cramps. It is important to finish the full course, even though you may feel well, so that the gut is properly cleared. Tell your prescriber if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, or have liver problems, so they can advise on whether it is suitable.
Who should not take it / use with caution
- People who have had a serious allergic reaction to diloxanide should not take it.
- It is used with caution, and on specialist advice, in pregnancy and breastfeeding.
- It is used with care in people with significant liver problems, guided by a prescriber.
Monitoring
- Reviewing that symptoms have settled and the gut infection is cleared.
- Sometimes checking stool samples after treatment to confirm the amoebae are gone.
- Watching for any tummy upset or allergic-type reaction.
Side effects
- Wind (flatulence), which is the most common effect.
- Mild nausea, tummy cramps or diarrhoea.
- Itching or, rarely, a rash.
- Other side effects are uncommon, and the medicine is generally well tolerated.
Key interactions
- It has few well-established routine interactions, but tell your prescriber what else you take.
- It is often used in sequence with another amoeba-killing medicine such as metronidazole, as planned by your prescriber.
- Tell your prescriber about all your medicines and supplements before starting.
Available as: Tablets taken by mouth.
Answers
Diloxanide: frequently asked questions
What is diloxanide used for?
It is used to treat the carrier stage of amoebiasis, clearing amoebae and cysts that remain in the gut, usually after another medicine has treated the active infection.
Why is it given after another medicine?
A medicine such as metronidazole treats the active, invasive infection, while diloxanide then clears the amoebae left in the bowel to prevent relapse and spread.
Is it well tolerated?
Yes, it is generally well tolerated; the most common side effect is wind (flatulence), with mild tummy upset in some people.
Do I need to finish the whole course?
Yes. Finishing the full course is important so the amoebae are fully cleared from the gut, even if you already feel well.
Why does it cause wind?
Wind (flatulence) is the most common side effect of diloxanide; it is usually mild and settles, but tell your prescriber if it is troublesome.
Authoritative sources
- BNF
- NICE CKS
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