Paromomycin

This drug is an aminoglycoside antibiotic used as a luminal amebicide and may be superior to diloxanide in asymptomatic infection. Paromomycin may also have some efficacy against cryptosporidiosis in the AIDS patient and in leishmaniasis. Systemic absorption in renal insufficiency may lead to headaches, dizziness, rashes, and arthralgia. Tetracyclines (eg, doxycycline) are sometimes used with a luminal amebicide in mild intestinal disease. is only effective against the intestinal (luminal) forms of E. histolytica and tapeworm, because it is not significantly absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract. It is an alternative agent for cryptosporidiosis. Paramomycin is directly amebicidal and also exerts its antiamebic actions by reducing the population of intestinal flora. Its direct amebicidal action is probably due to the effects it has on cell membranes, causing leakage. Very little of the drug is absorbed on oral ingestion, but that which is absorbed is excreted in urine. Gastrointestinal distress and diarrhea are the principal adverse effects.