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Therapeutic Drugs: Furazolidone

TRI-MED, supplies Furazolidone (FZD) {Trade Name: Furasian} under the TGA's Special Access Scheme. FZD is not a new antibiotic and has been used in the past for treating patients with nitroimidazole and clarithromycin resistant Helicobacter pylori infections. FZD is a synthetic nitrofuran derivative that is an antibacterial and antiprotozoal agent.

FZD is active against the protozoan Giardia lamblia (Giardia intestinalis) and against a range of bacteria in vitro including Staphylococci, Escherichia coli, Salmonella spp., Shigella spp., and Vibrio cholerae. FZD is bactericidal and appears to act by interfering with bacterial enzyme systems. Resistance is reported to be limited and it has been successfully is used in the treatment of nitroimidazole resistant Giardiasis, Trichomoniasis, Cholera and other Vibrio infections.

It has been recommended for other bacterial gastrointestinal infections but antibacterial therapy with FZD is regarded as unnecessary in mild & self-limiting gastro-enteritis. However, FZD in combination with De-Nol, a PPI and amoxicillin or tetracycline has been reported to have highly efficacious anti-Helicobacter pylori activity (92% cure rate) and to have excellent ulcer-healing properties. (Go to helico.com. and refer to the link to "Treatments")

Clinical experience has demonstrated that cure of Helicobacter pylori infection is difficult due to lack of compliance with drug regimens and development of antibiotic resistance by Helicobacter pylori.

FZD and Nitrofurantoin have been recommended as alternative agents for the treatment of Helicobacter pylori due to the high rate of Metronidazole resistance. When multiple treatment regimens fail, it has been suggested that salvage therapy regimens such as bismuth or FZD quadruple therapy should be used. In recent study Kwon et all, (2000) assessed the prevalence of FZD, Nitrofurantoin and Metronidazole resistance among Helicobacter pylori strains in 4321 clinical isolates. 52% were Metronidazole resistant compared to 2% (7 of 431)which were resistant to FZD & Nitrofurantoin. All seven FZD and Nitrofurantoin resistant isolates were also resistant to Metronidazole.

How to Prescribe Furazolidone to your patient

Furazolidone Clinical Data Sheet

Click here to download the Orphan (Special Access Scheme)
drug order and payment form.

Click here for the TGA Special Access Scheme (SAS) Proforma
(One Proforma must be completed for each therapeutic
agent you wish to prescribe to your patient)