FURAZOLIDONE

Chemistry - A synthetic nitrofuran-derivative antibacterial/antiprotozoal, furazolidone occurs as abitter-tasting, yellow, crystalline powder. It is practically insoluble in water.

Storage, Stability, Compatibility

Store protected from light in tight containers. Do not exposethe suspension to excessive heat.

Pharmacology - FURAZOLIDONE

Furazolidone interferes with susceptible bacterial enzyme systems. Its mechanismagainst susceptible protozoa is not well determined. Furazolidone has activity against Giardia,
Vibrio cholerae, Trichomonas, Coccidia and many strains of E. Coli, Enterobacter,
Campylobacter, Salmonella and Shigella. Not all strains are sensitive, but resistance is usuallylimited and develops slowly. Furazolidone also inhibits monoamine oxidase.

Uses, Indications

Furazolidone is usually a drug of second choice in small animals to treat enteric infections caused by the organisms listed above.

Pharmacokinetics - FURAZOLIDONE

Conflicting information on furazolidone's absorption characteristics arepublished. As colored metabolites are found in the urine, it is clearly absorbed to some extent.
Because furazolidone is used to treat enteric infections, absorption becomes important only whendiscussing adverse reactions and drug interaction issues. Furazolidone is reported to be distributedinto the CSF. Absorbed furazolidone is rapidly metabolized in the liver and the majority ofabsorbed drug is eliminated in the urine.

Contraindications, Precautions, Reproductive Safety

Furazolidone is contraindicated in patients hypersensitive to it.
While the safe use of furazolidone during pregnancy has not been established, neither have there been any teratogenic problems reported for the drug. It is unknown if furazolidone enters maternal milk.

Adverse Effects, Warnings

Adverse effects noted with furazolidone are usually minimal.
Anorexia, vomiting, cramping and diarrhea may occasionally occur. Some human patients arereported to be hypersensitive to the drug. Because furazolidone also inhibits monoamine oxidase, itmay potentially interact with several other drugs and foods (see Drug Interactions below). Theclinical significance of these interactions is unclear, particularly in light of the drug's poor absorptive characteristics.

Overdosage, Acute Toxicity

No information was located; but moderate overdoses are unlikely tocause significant toxicity. Gut emptying may be considered for large overdoses.

Drug Interactions

Because furazolidone inhibits monoamine oxidase, its use concurrently withbuspirone, sympathomimetic amines (phenylpropanolamine, ephedrine, etc.), tricyclicantidepressants, other monamine oxidase inhibitors, and fish or poultry (high tyraminecontent) is not recommended because dangerous hypertension could occur. Alcohol used concurrently with furazolidone may cause a disulfiram-like reaction.
Laboratory Considerations - Furazolidone may cause a false-positive urine glucose determina-tion when using the cupric sulfate solution test (e.g., Clinitest®).