Diloxanide furoate is an anti-protozoal drug used in the treatment of Entamoeba histolytica

Entamoeba histolytica

Entamoeba histolytica is an anaerobic parasitic protozoan, part of the genus Entamoeba. Predominantly infecting humans and other primates, E. histolytica is estimated to infect about 50 million people worldwide...

and some other protozoal infections.

Safety and effectiveness

A 13-year study conducted by the United States Center for Disease Control between 1977 and 1990 found that this drug had a low incidence of side effects and was successful in treatment of 86% of asymptomatic carriers of Entamoeba histolytica

Entamoeba histolytica

Entamoeba histolytica is an anaerobic parasitic protozoan, part of the genus Entamoeba. Predominantly infecting humans and other primates, E. histolytica is estimated to infect about 50 million people worldwide...

.

Availability by country

United States: Not currently approved for use. A CDC

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention are a United States federal agency under the Department of Health and Human Services headquartered in Druid Hills, unincorporated DeKalb County, Georgia, in Greater Atlanta...

 study authorized the use of this drug in the treatment of 4,371 cases of Entamoeba histolytica

Entamoeba histolytica

Entamoeba histolytica is an anaerobic parasitic protozoan, part of the genus Entamoeba. Predominantly infecting humans and other primates, E. histolytica is estimated to infect about 50 million people worldwide...

from 1977 to 1990.