Summary
The efficacy of metronidazole and tinidazole has been compared in 31 patients with hepatic amoebiasis. Only those with unequivocal clinical, radiological and laboratory evidence of hepatic amoebiasis were included; diagnostic and therapeutic aspiration was performed where necessary. 15 patients received metronidazole and 16 tinidazole, in random order. The 2 groups were comparable. Both drugs were given orally in a single daily dose of 2g for a minimum of 3 days, with treatment extended if considered clinically advisable. 12 of 15 patients (80%) were cured with metronidazole given for an average period of 7 days (range 4 to 14 days). 15 of 16 patients (93.8%) given tinidazole were cured and the mean duration of treatment was 4 days (range 3 to 6 days). There were fewer side-effects with tinidazole.
In this study of hepatic amoebiasis in Bangladesh, tinidazole was found to be superior to metronidazole in overall efficacy because a shorter course of treatment was necessary and it caused fewer side-effects.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Hatchuel, W.: Tinidazole for the treatment of amoebic liver abscess. South African Medical Journal 49: 1879–1881 (1975).
Henn, R.M. and Collin, D.B.: Amoebic abscess of the liver — treatment failure with metronidazole. Journal of the American Medical Association 224: 1394–1395 (1973).
Howes, H.L.; Lynch, J.E. and Kivlin, J.L.: Tinidazole, a new antiprotozoal agent: effect on Trichomonas and other protozoa. Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy — 1969: 261 (1970).
Islam, N. and Hasan, M.: Tinidazole in the treatment of intestinal amoebiasis. Current Therapeutic Research 17: 161–165 (1975).
Miller, N.W.; Howes, H.L. and English, AR.: Tinidazole, a potent new antiprotozoal agent. Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy — 1969: 257 (1970).
Monro, A.M.: Blood levels of chemotherapeutic drugs and the pharmacokinetics of tinidazole and metronidazole. Current Medical Research and Opinion 2: 130–137 (1974).
Powell, S.J., Wilmot, A.J. and Elsdon-Dew, R.: Single and low dosage regimens of metronidazole in amoebic dysentery and amoebic liver abscess. Annals of Tropical Medicine and Parasitology 63: 139–142 (1969).
Prakash, C.; Bansal, B.C. and Bansal, M.R.: Tinidazole in symptomatic intestinal amoebiasis. Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene 77: 165–166 (1974).
Quaderi, M.A.: Personal communication (1977).
Stillman, A.E.; Alvarez, V. and Grube, D.: Hepatic amoebic abscess — unresponsiveness to combination of metronidazole and surgical drainage. Journal of the American Medical Association 229: 71–72 (1974).
Vigg, B.L.; Sahay, B.K. and Ungarn, K.P.: Metronidazole in amoebic liver abscess. Journal of Association of Physicians of India 19: 515–518 (1971).
Weber, D.M.: Amebic abscess of liver following metronidazole therapy. Journal of the American Medical Association 216: 1339–1340 (1971).
Wood, B.A. and Munro, A.M.: Pharmacokinetics of tinidazole and metronidazole in women after single large oral doses. British Journal of Venereal Diseases 51: 51–53 (1975).
Zuberi, S.J. and Ibrahim, M.: Tinidazole in amoebiasis. Practitioner 211: 93–95 (1973).
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Islam, N., Hasan, K. Tinidazole and Metronidazole in Hepatic Amoebiasis. Drugs 15 (Suppl 1), 26–29 (1978). https://doi.org/10.2165/00003495-197800151-00006
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.2165/00003495-197800151-00006