A randomized trial comparing mebendazole and secnidazole for the treatment of giardiasis.

Author(s): Escobedo AA, Canete R, Gonzalez ME, Pareja A, Cimerman S, Almirall P

Affiliation(s): Departamento de Parasitologia, Hospital Pediatrico Pedro Borras, Calle F No. 616 esquina a 27, Plaza, Ciudad de La Habana, CP 10400, Cuba. escobedo@infomed.sld.cu

Publication date & source: 2003-07, Ann Trop Med Parasitol., 97(5):499-504.

Publication type: Clinical Trial; Randomized Controlled Trial

To compare the efficacy of the two drugs in the treatment of giardiasis, 146 children (aged 5-15 years) with confirmed Giardia lamblia infection were randomly allotted to treatment with mebendazole (200 mg three times daily for 3 days) or secnidazole (30 mg/kg, in a single dose). Parasitological response to treatment was evaluated in each child by the microscopical examination of faecal samples collected 3, 5 and 7 days after he or she had completed treatment. Although the frequency of cure was higher for secnidazole (79.4%) than for mebendazole (78.1%), the difference was not statistically significant (P > 0.05). Both treatment regimens were well tolerated, with only mild, transient and self-limiting side-effects reported. Mebendazole may be preferable to secnidazole in the treatment of giardiasis cases who have an history of intolerance to 5-nitromidazoles, and where infections with Giardia and soil-transmitted helminths frequently co-occur.