Iodoquinol

Mechanism of Action

Acts primarily in intestinal lumen; mechanism unknown

Pharmacokinetics

Absorption: poor & erratic

Metabolism: Hepatic

Excretion: Primarily feces

Amebiasis

Treatment of amebiasis caused by Entamoeba histolytica.100 102 105 106 107 110

Used alone for treatment of asymptomatic intestinal amebiasis.100 102 105 106 107 Drugs of choice for asymptomatic cyst passers (intraluminal infections) are iodoquinol, paromomycin, or oral diloxanide furoate (not commercially available in the US).100 102 105 106 107 Paromomycin may be preferred in children or pregnant women.105 106

Should not be used alone for treatment of symptomatic intestinal amebiasis or extraintestinal amebiasis (including amebic liver abscess) caused by E. histolytica.100 102 105 106 107 Regimen of choice for symptomatic intestinal amebiasis or extraintestinal disease (including liver abscess) is treatment with a tissue amebicide (oral metronidazole or oral tinidazole) followed by treatment with a luminal amebicide (oral iodoquinol or oral paromomycin).100 102 105 106 107 Paromomycin may be preferred for such follow-up treatment in children or pregnant women.105 106

Some strains of Entamoeba are nonpathogenic (e.g., E. dispar, E. hartmanni) and asymptomatic intraluminal infections with these organisms generally do not require treatment.100 105 106 107

Balantidiasis

Treatment of balantidiasis† caused by Balantidium coli.100 102 106 Tetracycline is considered the drug of choice; alternatives are iodoquinol or metronidazole.100 102 106

Blastocystis hominis Infections

Has been used in the treatment of infections caused by Blastocystis hominis†.100 102 106 108 109

Clinical importance of B. hominis as a cause of GI pathology is controversial;100 102 106 108 109 unclear when treatment is indicated.100 106 108 Some clinicians suggest treatment be reserved for certain individuals (e.g., immunocompromised patients) when symptoms persist and no other pathogen or process is found to explain their GI symptoms.100 106

Treatment alternatives are metronidazole, co-trimoxazole, iodoquinol, or nitazoxanide.100 102 Metronidazole resistance may be common in some areas.102

Dientamoeba fragilis Infections

Treatment of infections caused by Dientamoeba fragilis†.102 106

Drugs of choice are iodoquinol, paromomycin, tetracycline, or metronidazole.102 106

• A luminal or contact 8-hydroxyquinoline amebicide, acts primarily in the intestinal lumen.a Precise mechanism of action unknown.a

• Amebicidal against Entamoeba histolytica.110 Active against both the trophozoite and encysted forms.110 Elimination of the cyst form probably results from destruction of the trophozoites.a

If you think there has been an overdose, call your poison control center or get medical care right away. Be ready to tell or show what was taken, how much, and when it happened.

• If your symptoms or health problems do not get better or if they become worse, call your doctor.
• Do not share your drugs with others and do not take anyone else's drugs.
• Keep a list of all your drugs (prescription, natural products, vitamins, OTC) with you. Give this list to your doctor.
• Talk with the doctor before starting any new drug, including prescription or OTC, natural products, or vitamins.
• Some drugs may have another patient information leaflet. Check with your pharmacist. If you have any questions about this medicine, please talk with your doctor, nurse, pharmacist, or other health care provider.
• If you think there has been an overdose, call your poison control center or get medical care right away. Be ready to tell or show what was taken, how much, and when it happened.

This information should not be used to decide whether or not to take iodoquinol or any other medicine. Only the healthcare provider has the knowledge and training to decide which medicines are right for a specific patient. This information does not endorse any medicine as safe, effective, or approved for treating any patient or health condition. This is only a brief summary of general information about this medicine. It does NOT include all information about the possible uses, directions, warnings, precautions, interactions, adverse effects, or risks that may apply to iodoquinol. This information is not specific medical advice and does not replace information you receive from the healthcare provider. You must talk with the healthcare provider for complete information about the risks and benefits of using this medicine.

Review Date: October 4, 2017