Nitazoxanide

**Semantic type:** Pharmacologic Substance

**Definition:** A synthetic benzamide with antiprotozoal activity. Nitazoxanide exerts its antiprotozoal activity by interfering with the pyruvate ferredoxin/flavodoxin oxidoreductase dependent electron transfer reaction, which is essential to anaerobic energy metabolism. PFOR enzyme reduces nitazoxanide, thereby impairing the energy metabolism. However, interference with the PFOR enzyme-dependent electron transfer reaction may not be the only pathway by which nitazoxanide exhibits antiprotozoal activity. Nitazoxanide is active against Giardia lamblia and Cryptosporidium parvum.

**Synonyms:** - Alinia - Benzamide, 2-(acetyloxy)-N-(5-nitro-2-thiazolyl)- - NITAZOXANIDE - Salicylamide, N-(5-nitro-2-thiazolyl)-, Acetate(Ester)