Paromomycin for treatment of giardiasis

Paromomycin is less effective than other medicines used to treat giardiasis, with a cure rate of just 60% to 70%.¹ But it appears to be a safe alternative when treatment of giardiasis is necessary during pregnancy.

Paromomycin is given in capsule form several times a day for 5 to 10 days. Follow-up testing may be necessary to make sure treatment has been effective. Common side effects can include headaches, dizziness, abdominal cramps, and nausea.

References

Citations

Hill DR (2005). Giardia lamblia. In GL Mandell et al., eds., Principles and Practice of Infectious Disease, 6th ed., vol. 2, pp. 3198–3205. Philadelphia: Elsevier.

Credits

Author	Maria G. Essig, MS, ELS
Editor	Susan Van Houten, RN, BSN, MBA
Associate Editor	Pat Truman, MATC
Primary Medical Reviewer	E. Gregory Thompson, MD - Internal Medicine
Specialist Medical Reviewer	W. David Colby IV, MSc, MD, FRCPC - Infectious Disease
Last Updated	October 16, 2007