Anizol Tablet 500mg / 400mg

About Anizol Tablet 500mg / 400mg

Uses

Anizol Tablet 500mg / 400mg combines diloxanide furoate and metronidazole to treat intestinal infections.

• Treats intestinal amoebiasis (amoebic dysentery)
• Clears amoebic cysts from the gut to prevent relapse
• Treats giardiasis and certain other protozoal infections
• Used for mixed anaerobic bacterial and parasitic gut infections

Benefits

Combining the two ingredients targets both active infection and dormant cysts in one course.

• Clears active amoeba as well as resistant cysts
• Reduces the chance of the infection returning after treatment
• Shortens overall treatment time compared to sequential single drug therapy
• Widely used and well studied combination in Pakistan

What Experts Say

Anizol combines diloxanide furoate, which clears amoebic cysts from the gut, with metronidazole, which kills the active amoeba causing symptoms. Doctors in Pakistan prescribe this combination often, since contaminated food and water make amoebiasis a common cause of persistent diarrhea and stomach cramps.

Physicians explain that treating only the active infection without also clearing the cysts can lead to relapse weeks later, which is why the combination approach is preferred over metronidazole alone for intestinal amoebiasis. A full course is usually needed even if diarrhea improves within the first few days.

Doctors also caution patients to avoid alcohol completely during treatment and for at least two days after the last dose, since metronidazole combined with alcohol can cause severe nausea, flushing and a racing heartbeat. Stool tests after treatment help confirm the infection has fully cleared.

Drug Class

Anizol belongs to the antiamoebic and antiprotozoal class of medicines.

• Antiamoebic and antiprotozoal combination

Anizol Tablet 500mg / 400mg formula

• Diloxanide Furoate and Metronidazole

Available forms

• Tablet

How to use Anizol Tablet 500mg / 400mg?

• Take Anizol Tablet with food to reduce stomach upset
• Complete the full course exactly as prescribed, even if symptoms improve early
• Swallow the tablet whole with a glass of water
• Avoid alcohol completely during treatment and for two days after the last dose
• Drink extra fluids if diarrhea is present to prevent dehydration

Drug Interactions

• Alcohol: Causes a disulfiram like reaction with flushing, vomiting and rapid heartbeat.
• Warfarin: Metronidazole can increase warfarin's blood thinning effect, raising bleeding risk.
• Lithium: Can raise lithium blood levels, increasing toxicity risk.
• Phenytoin and phenobarbital: May alter metronidazole levels in the blood.
• Cimetidine: Can increase metronidazole blood levels.

Risks and warnings

• Alcohol interaction: Causes a severe reaction with flushing, vomiting and a fast heartbeat if taken with alcohol.
• Neurological effects: High dose or prolonged metronidazole use can cause numbness or tingling in the hands and feet.
• Pregnancy: Should be used only if clearly needed and advised by a doctor, especially in the first trimester.
• Liver disease: Dose adjustment may be needed in people with significant liver impairment.
• Allergy: Avoid if there is a known allergy to metronidazole or related nitroimidazole drugs.

Anizol Tablet 500mg / 400mg Side Effects

• Nausea or vomiting
• Metallic taste in the mouth
• Stomach cramps
• Loss of appetite
• Headache
• Dizziness
• Dark colored urine

Storage Conditions

• Store below 30°C in a cool, dry place
• Protect from moisture and direct sunlight
• Keep the tablet in its original strip until use
• Keep out of reach of children